Pippi Longstocking

Content Warning: This section contains references to racial stereotypes contained within the novel.

Imagination and ingenuity are some of Pippi’s finest traits. As a child of nine who is unencumbered by any sorts of rules and expectations, or even a formal education, Pippi explores the limitless bounds of her imagination and her creativity. She makes use of whatever she finds and sees potential where others do not, such as in an empty spool of thread. Pippi knows how to solve problems and embraces them as a part of life and an opportunity to demonstrate her skills. She finds a clever way to save the boys who are trapped in the burning building with the help of a rope, a board, and Mr. Nilsson. Pippi’s adventures are always filled with whimsy and the vibrant, imaginative thoughts of childhood.

Pippi’s stories that she invents about the places she has been are one example of her ability to imagine fantastical things. Although Pippi’s stories are often mischievous and based on harmful stereotypes, they do demonstrate that she is creative even though she is lying. She spins long, detailed descriptions of things that never happened and imagines entire people, lives, and events, such as the servant who was misunderstood by everyone but the grandmother she worked for.