“The only problem was
finding a guy who was not a jerk and one who was also good in bed; Mimmi was a
sweet compromise, and she turned Salander on.” (Larsson 357)
Lisbeth’s role as a female deuteragonist is further developed by her categorization as what one could consider a “sexually liberated” woman. In fiction and other forms of media, the inclusion of sexual variety – especially concerning female characters – often walks a fine line between much needed queer inclusion and sorely overdone pandering to slavering male audiences. Lisbeth’s lack of labels and interest in a broader swath of the sexual spectrum may arguably be little more than a sort of added flavor to make her character more enticing to male readers, but it can also be seen as an important demonstration of a female hero’s agency and entitlement to self-determination, concepts which are integral to the social progression made possible by well-written female characters.
Lisbeth’s role as a female deuteragonist is further developed by her categorization as what one could consider a “sexually liberated” woman. In fiction and other forms of media, the inclusion of sexual variety – especially concerning female characters – often walks a fine line between much needed queer inclusion and sorely overdone pandering to slavering male audiences. Lisbeth’s lack of labels and interest in a broader swath of the sexual spectrum may arguably be little more than a sort of added flavor to make her character more enticing to male readers, but it can also be seen as an important demonstration of a female hero’s agency and entitlement to self-determination, concepts which are integral to the social progression made possible by well-written female characters.