So much happened in these chapters that I dont even think I could write it all. I guess I'll just focus on Salander for this post, and maybe someone else can write a post about Blomkvist and the mystery?
Salander really starts to come together as a character during these chapters as she plans her revenge on Bjurman. We learn that she doesn't make drastic decisions, but instead looks at all the small details. She also appears to be very dedicated, even turning down Dragan when he calls (243). As for the rape scene that comes after all of this planning, well it was disturbing. The way that she is able to analyze his behavior and take back control of the situation is amazing, however. She is clearly not mentally handicap in any way. Instead she comes off as a strong, independent grown woman. She thought out every detail of what she was going to do and although her way of handling the situation was a bit twisted it did seem necessary for dealing with such a sick human being.
On another note, I feel like Bjurman is not going to back down so easily because even in his fear he was having angry thoughts (261). I just feel like we haven't heard the last of him. Does anyone agree?
Holy crap, Salander is so bad ass. I didn't think she would go that crazy and try to murder him. But then again, I'm on her side because what Bjurman made her do is disgusting.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Emma, she's so dedicated. I can't believe she just hangs up on the phone call.
I don't understand what is up with Bjurman though. Does he actually want something from Salander or does he just find pleasure in raping her? I hate how he acts like it's a normal thing to do. He says "Did you like our grown-up game from last time?" to her (148). What does that even mean?
I like how she got a tattoo though (253). Does anyone think the dragon tattoo is a tragic/great event that happened to her too?
She definitely thought him a lesson, but Emma, I agree, I think that Bjurman is going to come back and get some kind of revenge on her.
He'll definitely be trouble later on. I agree that what he did was just sick. She should have killed instead of blackmailing him because now he's pissed. Sri brought up a good point that i didn't see. Maybe she did the dragon tattoo when she had another tragic event.
ReplyDeleteGoing to the mystery, I'm still waiting for Blomkvist and Salander to join up and solve it. It's been half the book already. Anyway, Mikael is on to something and it might be Cecilia. She might know this too because of the way she takes him back then, when he tells her he almost had a clue, she stops the relationship suddenly. I already see places where Harriet's body, if it's still on the island, could be. The marsh that he couldn't get to by Ostergarden (321) is the place i would suspect most. I also wished he had found something in the tool shed, a weapon of sorts to really put the mystery into gear.
So far the main goals in the story have been set up (finally):
1. The disappearance of Harriet
2. Salander and Bjurman
3. Wennerstrom
Well Sri, Bjurman believes that Salander is mentally handicapped, so by calling it a "grown-up game" I feel like he was treating her like the idiot he finds her to be. I agree that the tattoo could be significant to her past.
ReplyDeleteThe mystery itself is moving a bit slow but I read ahead an entire section of reading and it is about to pick up. As for now I find that Cecilia's behavior was odd and that it could imply that she is guilty of something. Or maybe she just realized that old person sex is a bit gross. Sorry, but I just had to say it.
Well the reason why Salander didnt kill him is because she wanted to be in control of her life and she probably felt that this was the only way to do it. Because if she killed him then she would just get a new guardian and like she said she wouldnt know if the new guardian would be worse the Bjurman. Any way i know he is going to come back and get revenge because on page 244 it said "it was not an appealing option, and it required her to allow Bjurman to attack her again. But if she carried it off, she would have won. At least, so she thought." since Larson used past tense "she would have won" "at least so she thought" that hints to me that he somehow gets revenge or something is going to go wrong.
ReplyDeletealso im not entirely sure if Cecilia cut off Blomkvist because of the investigation i think its more like she became too involved with him and when she asked him to share what he found he said i cant tell you that and she became embarrassed so i think it has something to do with that. i dont think cecilia did anything to Harriet and if she did then i will be so disappointed.
Also i thought Vanger would have hired Salander and then she would have to work with Blomkvist but instead she is just snooping on her own i think i would rather have her be invited in the investigation rather than her just snooping.
Also i thought that the gut feeling that Blomkvist got was very interesting and i am very curious to see what it was and what he is going to figure out.
And mike Stankov gave away what Salander was going to do to Bjurman so i wasnt surprised i really wished he hadnt told me though.
I agree with Emma about the "grown-up games" because he was treating Salander like she was an idiot. But, after what she did to him, I think he's not going to underestimate her the next time they meet. He definitely has something up his sleeve. And I personally think that Bjurman is just a sick twisted person. He used the power he had to take advantage of someone he believed to be helpless (253).
ReplyDeleteJess, I think Cecilia does have something to do with the case because when it stated that his instincts were reacting to something in the album, he was looking at a picture of Cecilia (281). However, I don't think she is responsible for Harriet's disappearance. I think she just knows something. I definitely don't think she is bad because she geniunely cares about Blomkvist. She states, "The problem is that I like him too much...He's going to end up hurting me" (255). After her last relationship with her husband, she probably has trust problems and is scared of getting to close to someone again. She is still confusing to me though.
Also, I was confused on page 247, when it says, "It was significantly more rewarding discussing Harriet Vanger with her (Cecilia) than with her uncle." Does that mean Cecilia has more information, or he just feels more comfortable talking to her about it...?
Sandy, I think that Blomkvist meant that he got more of a reaction with cecilia than Vanger. Because on page 246 is the discussion between vanger and Blomkvist and vanger is just giving him like one word responses and basically being very vague and not helpful. so maybe its because Cecilia would talk about it more and encourage him to work harder i guess?
ReplyDeleteAlso i think its interesting that Bjurman wanted to gain Salanders trust after raping her. on page 254 to 255 he is thinking " Today I'll take it easy on her. Build up her trust" i thought that he must be really twisted if he thinks that anyone would trust him after what he did to her. he is truly just sick and sadistic.
Oh that would make sense. But you also brought up a good point. Why is Vanger being so vague in the discussions if he wants Blomkvist to solve the case?
ReplyDeleteAnd my point exactly, Bjurman is just sick and messed up. He knows what he is doing and does not feel any guilt about it.
I think this speaks volumes regarding the potential for immorality within a person in a position of power. Bjurman doesn't rape Lisbeth because he's evil. He rationalizes it in his head somehow. He feels dominant in a patriarchal society and confident he'll get away with his indiscretion. Bjurman is probably thinking "if I am taking care of her and making sure she's okay, it's only natural that I get something in return." It's the same logic that controls the progression of dictatorships. It starts with a concession in the name of security or a slight abuse of power for some enjoyment and then before you know it autocracy emerges. I hate to see you all see things in black and white. The characters are purposely complex and there is no denying there's something sadistic in both Bjurman and Lisbeth.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Adrian. We should not demonize Bjurman because of the position he is in. I do think he is sadistic, but only because society allows him to be that way. I also think his comparison to the development of dictatorships is a fair analogy. When someone is in a position of power, it is easy for one to abuse it and take control.
ReplyDelete