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.

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Ruby Galvez, RL

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