The Locked-Room Scenario

The locked-room scenario refers to the isolated island that the crime takes place on. One of the reason the case of Harriet Vanger is so interesting is that she was on a locked-down island at the time of her disappearance, which would inevitably seem that she must be on the island somewhere. When Harriet was reported missing the only exit to the island, the bridge was blocked off where no body could get through, so the mystery remained how could Harriet go missing in such a confined area? Henrik shares with Blomkvist how police have hunted the island for her body, but nothing has turned up. This concept is used in mystery and thriller novels sometimes. It's a creepy yet frustrating concept for the reader to deal with. It seems impossible that someone could get out of a room that is locked from the outside, or from the inside, or such as this story an secluded island with no escape goats. It seems particularly impossible for Harriet to escape from the island considering the bridge was closed off at the time. I assume if the bridge was open her escape would be noticed anyway due to the Vangers being the only ones on the island.

Harriet Reveals Truth

As the case came to an end, with the help of Lisbeth, Blomkvist was able to track down where Harriet had been hiding all these years her family had been searching for her. Harriet took Anita's name and entered the country of Australia in 1965 to live freely. When Mikael had found Harriet he called her Harriet Vanger and she responded as if she never had changed her name to Anita. Harriet embraced her uncle when they were reunited. Henrick couldn't have been more happy and more grateful that he was seeing the young girl whom he considered a daughter. Harriet begged for forgiveness from her uncle and started to explain her reasons for running away. One of the most popular pieces of evidence in the case was the picture of Harriet at the Children's day parade. Blomkvist tried to get to the bottom of who Harriet was looking at. As Harriet explained to her uncle that she saw Martin at the Children's day parade as he had just gotten back from boarding school. She immediately fled the parade and went to find Anita for help. She asked Anita to take her across the bridge as soon as it was clear. She hide under a blanket in the back seat as Anita escorted her away from the family estate.

Ending

As the novel comes to an end Blomkvist is set free and he finally reveals the truth about the Wennerstrom case. Lisbeth is described as possibly killing the political figure. News reporters state that the man accused by Blomkvist was found the morning after he was exposed dead in his bathroom. It is believed that he committed suicide, since no real evidence is shown. Based on Lisbeth's violent past it is indicated that she killed Hans-Eik. The last pages sketch an image of Lisbeth in a blond wig disguised and hiding her identity. Which is also an underlying theme in the novel. The original title Men Who Hate Women, suites the story and the themes within it. What I'm getting at is the final pages are talking about Lisbeth hiding her self. Dressed differently and wearing a wig, thus covering up who she really is.

Lisbeth Gets Even for Mikael

Lisbeth uses her genius skills in computer hacking to reveal the true story about Hans-Erik Wennerstrom. She delivered the documents to Mikael. With only a month and half left in Jail, Mikael wrote the story, the real story on Hans-Erik Wennerstrom and his drug and illegal trafficking and gross slander. When Lisbeth was first asked to do a background check on Blomkvist for Milton security she had a hunch that something was weird about the case. Thus, the information that the tech-savvy side-kick had found ultimately saved Mikael, released him from jail and allowed him to expose the truth on Wennerstrom.

Lisbeth's Visit to Mom

After a roller coaster ride through a murder/missing case, saving Mikael's life and watching the death of Martin take place, Lisbeth went to visit her mother for the first time ever. I think for person to endure that much in a short amount of time causes one to step back and take a deep breath. Lisbeth watched as Martin died just as she watched her own father die. It was a flashback for her that had drawn her to seek her mother's words. And I think that's what Lisbeth did, she realized how precious life is. Between Mikael's near death experience the pain that Harriet's family has for her missing, and the death of Martin really set in for her. Lisbeth's mother had not seen her in some time. She asked if she had children or a man. Lisbeth told her that there was a man, referring to Mikael since she had fallen for the journalist. Her mother apologizes and admits the man she had chosen as a husband and father to Lisbeth was the wrong choice and it is her fault. Lisbeth's mother said "it is this reason that you hurt Lisbeth".

Death of Gottfried

As Harriet is rejoined with her Uncle at his estate, she starts to explain all the secrets she has known for all these years as Henrik has had no knowledge of. Harriet expresses to her uncle how her father treated her. She was so afraid of him and the abuse he caused her. The first time she was raped was at the young age of sixteen. The day her father died was when Gottfried was drunk as usual exploiting bible verses and shouting out all the women he has killed. Harriet was chased to the lake, she got into the boat as if she were to leave shore, yet her father went after her and fell into the water. She pushed him down into the water drowning him with the oar. She loved her father, but she knew she couldn't go on living this way, being tortured by her father and brother Martin. She had planned to tell her family members her father was drunk and had fallen and drowned to his death. The murder of her father was seen as Gottfriend falling on accident. Harriet wanted to keep the murder a secret. But unfortunately her brother Martin witnessed Harriet's actions and she knew that he would leak the truth or punish her the way her father had. Harriet told her uncle that Martin was far worse to her than her father was, so as soon as Martin returned from boarding school she knew she had to leave.

Finding Harriet

When Lisbeth gave Mikael the final clue to where Harriet was, Blomkvist traveled to find Harriet. She was found in Australia in a small village and stunned to know anyone ws aware of her existence. After convincing Harriet to come home and see her uncle before he passes, Harriet met with her Uncle after thirty plus years of not having any answers. Harriet explained to her Uncle her reasons for leaving; the death of her father, her brother and the future she faced if she stayed. She also explained that it was her sending those pressed floral pictures every year. She thought the gesture would symbolize to him that she was still out there and thinking of him. Henrik was relieved and thankful to have his niece back with him in his final days.