Literature for Children
C. Cunningham
February 1, 2001

Researcher Role in Pippi Longstocking

Shehan, Drusie. "Astrid Lindgren." n.pag. On-line. Internet. 30 Jan. 2001. Available WWW: http://falcon.imu.edu/~ramseyil/lindgren.htm

According to Shehan, "Pippi Longstocking, which she wrote as a present for her daughter's tenth birthday was published in 1945." I think this statement supports the fact that this book seems to appeal to younger children, especially girls. I think since Lindgren wrote this book for her daughter, she made it relate better to her. By making Pippi ten years old in the book, it seems more on the level of a child that age.

"Astrid Lindgren'sOfficial Website." 2000. n.pag. On-line. Internet. 30 Jan. 2001. Available WWW: http://kirjasto.sci.fi/alindar. htm .

This article states that "In her articles from 1939 and 1949 Lindgren defended the right of children to be treated ilke human beings without being oppressed: if the children are given love, good behavior will look after itself." I think that this statement goes to show that Lindgren did not believe that children should have strict rules enforced upon them. Pippi had freedom to do as she wanted, and she was able to take care of herself. She did not need the stereotypical lifestyle, which was always having an adult looking after her constantly.

Gahnstrom, Christin. "Different Translations." n.pag. On-line. Internet. 30 Jan. 2001. Available WWW: http://interlog.com/~wings/jne/a_lindgren/translation. html

Gahnstrom states that, "The french translation of Pippi Longstocking has cut one third of the original script. The translator removed all the parts when Pippi lies or is being rude to grownups. . . The translator has also added things to the story when s/he thought it necessary." I think this quote is very interesting, because a lot of Pippi's character is brought out in these scenes. Without these parts, I think it would be hard to really understand and get the true meaning of the story. These parts reveal that Pippi does not care what others think, and that she is free to do as she pleases regardless of the surrounding company. I believe these changes probably would alter the story's meaning a great deal.

I think that each of these statements bring out interesting background information about this book. I think it's really neat that Lindgren wrote this book for her daughter, and I think she does a good job at directing it to that age of a reader. Also, I think Lindgren's view about how children should be treated is portrayed by the way she allows Pippi to be free and explore the world, without grownups being able to stand in her way. Last, I think it's interesting to think about how the book would be different if certain parts, such as the "rude" parts, were removed.

Works Cited

"Astrid Lindgren's Official Website." 2000. n.pag. On-line. Internet. 30 Jan. 2001. <http://kirjasto.sci.fi/alindar. htm>

Gahnstrom, Christin. "Different Translations." n.pag. On-line. Internet. 30 Jan. 2001. < http://interlog.com/~wings/jne/a_lindgren/translation. html>

Shehan, Drusie. "Astrid Lindgren." n.pag. On-line. Internet. 30 Jan. 2001. <http://falcon.imu.edu/~ramseyil/lindgren.htm>

This page was last updated Sunday, May 23, 2004
Other pages may have been updated more recently