Pippi Longstocking

Villa Villekulla is Pippi’s home. Her father bought it before he was washed away at sea in the hopes of moving into it with Pippi to build a life together. Villa Villekulla is on the edge of a small town, between the town and the countryside. Pippi’s home is in many ways an extension of herself. It is a beautiful home with an unkempt but lovable garden that Pippi spends a great deal of time in. She shares her garden with Tommy and Annika, and together they have fun and learn about the world around them. The garden, like Pippi, is wild and untamed and provides many opportunities for both wonder and adventure:

Pippi’s garden was really lovely. You couldn’t say it was well kept, but there were wonderful grass plots that were never cut, and old rosebushes that were full of white and yellow and pink roses—perhaps not such fine roses, but oh, how sweet they smelled! A good many fruit trees grew there too, and, best of all, several ancient oaks and elms that were excellent for climbing (67-68).

She is protective of her home and does whatever is necessary to keep herself and her home safe, including rebelling against the police and tricking two burglars. Pippi’s Imagination and Ingenuity are evident in the way she finds creative ways to clean and cook and take care of herself. Her Strength of Body and Mind is demonstrated through her ability to do so without any adults. For Pippi, Villa Villekulla is a source of freedom and a connection to her father.

Pippi’s appearance is iconic and an essential aspect of her character. Pippi’s mismatched stockings, bright orange hair, patched dressed, giant shoes, huge toothy grin, and dozens of freckles attract attention as she goes about her life and symbolize her nonconformity. Tommy and Annika first notice Pippi’s appearance and are then curious about her. It also adds to the shock and surprise whenever she demonstrates her amazing physical strength. When she intervenes to stop some bullies in the neighborhood, they mock her appearance: “Have you ever seen hair like hers? Red as fire! And such shoes. Can’t I borrow one? I’d like to go out rowing and I haven’t any boat” (32). Pippi ignores their insults and never allows others’ reactions to get her down. Her hair, which the boys joke is too hot to touch, is a symbol of Pippi’s fiery spirit and her Strength of Body and Mind. Her father bought her shoes with the intention that she would soon enough grow into them, and she wears them with pride. Pippi lives by her own standards and is immune to societal pressures.