I Mistakenly Thought Lisbeth Salander was a Coming-of-age Heroine

Lisbeth Salander from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo can be seen as a heroine, but she’s not a traditional coming-of-age character. Instead, she embodies elements of personal evolution and self-discovery, though in a much darker and unconventional context.

Here’s why she fits, and why she doesn’t, into the coming-of-age mold.

Why She Fits:

1. Self-Discovery and Growth : Like a coming-of-age protagonist, Lisbeth grapples with understanding her own identity and place in the world. Her journey involves reclaiming control over her life and confronting the traumas of her past, similar to how coming-of-age stories often depict a young person learning about themselves.

2. Emotional Evolution : Lisbeth starts off as a loner, distrustful of nearly everyone, but over time, we see her form complex relationships, particularly with Mikael Blomkvist. Though not sentimental or soft, she gradually opens up, which is a form of personal growth typical of coming-of-age tales.

3. Rebellion Against Authority : A key theme in coming-of-age stories is often rebellion or questioning authority, and Lisbeth does this in spades. Her resistance to abusive institutions and corrupt power structures mirrors the way young protagonists often resist societal norms and expectations in classic coming-of-age stories.

Why She Doesn't Fit

1. Already an Adult : Lisbeth is in her twenties, and much of her core character is already formed by the time we meet her. Coming-of-age typically involves younger characters—teens or young adults—navigating the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Lisbeth, however, is already hardened by her past experiences.

2. Atypical Heroine : Lisbeth isn’t striving for the kind of self-acceptance or understanding that defines traditional coming-of-age stories. Her battles are more external (against abusive powers) and internal (confronting trauma), rather than focused on the growing pains of adolescence.

3. Dark and Violent World : The tone of her story is much grimmer than a typical coming-of-age narrative. While coming-of-age stories can include pain and loss, they often maintain a sense of hope and discovery. Lisbeth’s world, with its abuse, violence, and corruption, doesn’t offer the same hopeful outlook.

Lisbeth Salander represents personal growth but not in the classic coming-of-age sense. Her journey is more about survival and revenge than discovering her identity in the world, making her a complex heroine, but not a traditional one for the coming-of-age genre.

Being a Document Control Officer to Manage Archives: Are You the Office Librarian?

In many workplaces, there's someone who seems to know where everything is. They can pull up the latest policy revision, retrieve an outdated client file, or point you to that mysterious "blue folder" from three years ago that somehow still matters. This person may not wear glasses or whisper "shhh"—but in essence, they are the office librarian . In most cases, this role falls to the Document Control Officer . But what does being a Document Control Officer really mean? And how close is it to being the keeper of a corporate library? Let’s unpack it. What Is a Document Control Officer? A Document Control Officer (DCO) is responsible for managing how documents are created, reviewed, stored, accessed, and archived within an organization. In many cases, the DCO is the quiet force behind regulatory compliance, internal consistency, and institutional memory. In short, if your company ever says, “We have a paper trail,” the DCO is why. Their duties typically incl...

Real Duties of a Librarian (And How to Make Them Less Overwhelming)

Let’s set the record straight: being a librarian is not just about shelving books and saying “shhh.” It’s about juggling multiple roles— curator, educator, tech support, event planner, community builder, record keeper —often all before lunch. Here are just a few of the invisible-but-crucial duties librarians handle daily: 📚 1. Cataloging and Accessioning Keeping track of each book that enters your library, assigning it an accession number, and recording its details might seem like mundane admin work—but it’s the bedrock of your collection. Miss a step, and suddenly a book “doesn’t exist” in your system. 🧾 2. Inventory and Weeding Librarians regularly evaluate which books are actively used, which need repair, and which have quietly vanished. Without a clear, organized record, this becomes an endless guessing game. 🎓 3. Supporting Lifelong Learning From children’s storytime to adult computer classes, librarians create programs that educate and empower. But preparing for these...

Freelancing is the Dream that Can Bring Financial Freedom

What is freelancing? It is a service-oriented business that involves you, the entrepreneur, and a client who needs help with a project. Before starting on this new world of self-employment, some factors that have to be considered include the following: your marketable skills, how much time you can devote to a project, and how much to charge for your service. Is freelancing lucrative? What is the point of going into it, and possibly giving up an office job, if it doesn't pay well? Right? Right.

Content Creators Need to Try Creative Fabrica

Hey there, fellow creators! Whether you're a seasoned artist, a passionate designer, or a content creator just starting your journey, you know that the right tools and resources can make a world of difference. That’s why I’m excited to introduce you to Creative Fabrica , a fantastic platform that's like a treasure trove for all your creative needs. Why Creative Fabrica? You might be wondering, "What makes Creative Fabrica so special?" Well, let me tell you: 1. Endless Resource s: Creative Fabrica offers an extensive library of fonts, graphics, templates, and even digital crafts. It's like having a bottomless toolbox, ready to help you bring your wildest ideas to life. 2. Affordable Pricing : Quality resources can be expensive, but Creative Fabrica provides budget-friendly options, including subscription plans that give you unlimited access to their vast collection. It's a small investment for a huge creative payoff. 3. ...

Better Library Shelfing by Colocation: Grouping Similar Items

As librarians, we've all faced the challenge of making the most of our shelf space. It's like a puzzle, figuring out where each book belongs so that people can find what they need without a treasure map. This is where colocation – or putting similar things together – comes into play. It's a simple idea, but it can make a huge difference in how we manage our shelves and help our library users find their way around. Let's talk about how this approach can make our libraries more user-friendly and efficient. Why Colocation Matters Imagine you're looking for a cookbook. You go to the section where cookbooks are supposed to be, but instead of finding them all in one spot, they're scattered all over. Some are with the gardening books, others are near the science fiction. Frustrating, right? That's the problem colocation solves. By keeping similar items together – all the cookbooks in one place, all the science fiction in another – we make life easier for everyone....

Can Anyone Build a Home Library from Scratch?

Building a home library from scratch is not only achievable but also a gratifying project that can evolve with you over time. Whether you're dreaming of a cozy corner filled with your favorite novels or a comprehensive collection spanning multiple genres, here's how you can start your very own home library: 1. Define Your Space - Choose the Right Spot: Your library doesn't need a dedicated room (although that's a bonus!). A quiet corner, an underused closet, or even a wide hallway can work. The key is finding a space where you can store your books and enjoy reading them. - Consider Lighting: Good lighting is crucial. Natural light is ideal for daytime reading, but ensure you have quality lamps or overhead lights for evening sessions. 2. Plan Your Shelves - Shelving Options: You don’t have to break the bank with custom shelving. Bookcases from thrift stores, flea markets, or affordable furniture stores can work perfectly. Remember to secure tall shelves to the wall for...

Pros and Cons of a 24/7 Library

A new trend in librarianship is the 24/7 library, but is this concept easier on paper than in actual practice? PROs Provides a place for vagrants to safely stay and be productive. Instead of spending the night in the streets, vagrants can have a place to read, surf the internet, and revise. Helps students cope with school workload, especially working students who make time for revision in the early morning, after nightclass and before the work day. Provides a venue for creative brainstorming for teams. Increased access to reading resources Helps prevent crime by keeping the would-be victims in a safe place until the morning CONs Requiring better security, because many miscreants may enter the library for theft and other malicious acts Increased risk of vandalism of library resources Increased electricity bill of the library because airconditioning and lighting are on 24/7 Solutions: Better training for librarians who will take the night shift, including workshops on se...

Your City Needs Its Writers: 3 Steps to Improve the Writing Culture in Your City

There is a La Union Books and Arts Exhibit right now at the SM City La Union, and this got me thinking. Every city has its share of storytellers. Some write novels. Some write long social media captions that probably should have been novels. I personally think a city with no active writers feels a bit empty, like a place that only knows traffic and billboards but has no imagination. A writing culture is not optional. It is the difference between a town that thinks and a town that merely exists. If you want to encourage a writing culture where you live, start by following these 3 steps: Step 1: Make writers visible. Invite local authors to your library, schools, community centers, and yes even your neighborhood book clubs. In fact, book clubs are one of the easiest groups to involve, because they already read, already discuss stories, and usually already have snacks. A sponsored book club event featuring a hometown author can do more for visibility than a month of posters. And honestly,...

Special Library Strengths

Being the librarian in an independent research and reading library dedicated to the communities of the Northern Luzon, Philippines region and their global diasporas has its ups and downs. On the plus side, our audience and guest traffic is eclectic, more so than any academic and/or school library can hope for. Eclectic they may be, but their priorities for going to the libary are nearly the same... to satisfy their curiosity and learn more about what makes this library special.

What Do People Remember About You? Make Your First Impression Count in a Job Interview!

When attending job interviews, we encounter countless faces and personalities. From chance meetings on the street to interactions in virtual communities, we leave an imprint on others. But here's the intriguing question: What exactly do they remember about us? The Unforgettable Impression Imagine this - you strike up a conversation with a stranger while waiting in line for coffee on your way to your job interview. Or maybe you're engaging with people on the vast expanse of the internet through your blog or forum posts. In both scenarios, you're leaving behind a piece of yourself. Sure, not everyone will vividly recall your name or face a few hours later, but here's the kicker: they'll carry an impression of you, a snippet of who you are. Think of it like this - you're an artist, and every interaction is a brushstroke on the canvas of someone's memory. The beauty is that you don't have full control over how others perceive you. You can't dictate...

Ruby Galvez, RL

Search This Blog