Adventures of Pippi Longstocking

The book, Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Ericsson Lindgren, is a spunky adventure tales of Pippi Longstocking and her two friends Annika and Tommy Settergren. Through out the book Pippi experiences new adventures of experiences most would find ‘normal’ these include going to school and attending a coffee party. In these experiences Tommy and Annika are the ones initiating the experience but it is Pippi who, with her unique perspective and assertiveness, who takes things in unexpected ways and makes it quite the hassle for the adults but quite the tale for the other children.

Also, Pippi has several extraordinary adventures while in the town. These adventures seem extraordinary to Annika and Tommy while they seem normal or trivial to Pippi. These include their excursion to the circus where Pippi performs tricks on a horse, a tightrope, and beats the ‘strong’ man of the circus. Quite impressive feats for a 9 year old girl but all in a day’s play for Pippi. However, for Annika and Tommy these adventures are new and exciting. For them, Pippi is a type of mentor who takes them into a new world even though this new world is one they have experienced before but now they are experiencing it with Pippi who provides new perspectives. For example, Pippi gives new excitement to playing in the yard by providing a way for all three to climb into a hollow tree and think it is a dungeon. This experience, in particular, gave Annika new bravery and confidence since Pippi encouraged her to overcome her fear of the tree’s height and other potential dangers.

Some aspects of Pippi’s life make her prone to the adventure as opposed to the just a story of curiosity, which is a definite element but not the entire scope of the stories. Pippi in in a new place, new to her, her father’s old house, Villa Villekulla. She is alone, except for animal friends of her monkey and her horse. She has exceptional strength, wit, and charm. But most importantly she has a determined spirt who isn’t hampered by the seemly impossible such as a raging bull, or a burning house, or the authorities. She is able to adequately take care of herself as she explores this new world to her and the dangers it has. She is also able to help her friends explore the world more and to help them overcome their fears. She helps particularly Annika overcome heights of the tree, and the darkness in the tree trunk, and the potential of ghosts in the attack. All of which are common obstacles to children and are adventures for the common 9 year old. Overall, the book provides adventures on a domestic scale but also provide the extraordinary adventures which Pippi is prone to encounter and conquer.