Character List and Analysis
Mikael Blomkvist
Blomkvist, the male protagonist, is an intrepid reporter, editor, and co-owner of the investigative financial magazine, Millennium. Having been convicted of libel at the start of the novel, Blomkvist is motivated by a need to not only clear his name, but also expose truths, which has been his professional motivation throughout his journalistic career. Confused and upset by his conviction, he takes on an assignment from Henrik Vanger that restores his sense of purpose and forces him to confront his own simplistic moral view of the world. Charming and kind, Blomkvist easily attracts the attention of women, but he finds it hard to settle down with one partner. His first marriage ended in divorce because of his on-again, off-again relationship with his colleague, Erika Berger.