Pippi Longstocking

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

Pippi Longstocking is nine years old and the protagonist of the story. She is defined by her Strength of Body and Mind that is evident in her optimism, strong will, and inability to let anything get her down for long. Despite having no parents, Pippi imagines the best for them and goes on living her life as best as she can. Pippi’s appearance is particularly striking and part of the initial reason that Annika and Tommy are drawn to her. She has bright orange hair in braids that stick straight out, shoes that are much too large, and mismatched stockings. She also usually has her pet monkey, Mr. Nilsson, on her shoulder. Pippi is a fiercely loyal friend with all sorts of ideas for adventures that she wants to share with Tommy and Annika: “I know I can’t lie around and be lazy. I’m a Thing-Finder, and when you’re a Thing-Finder, you don’t have a minute to spare” (26). Her most remarkable trait is her unparalleled physical strength; she is stronger than the world’s strongest man and can lift almost anything.