Iruni Kalupahana JadeTimes Staff
I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Entertainment
Creation and Popularity
Since her debut in Sweden in 1945, Pippi Longstocking has captured the hearts of millions of children throughout the world. The creation of Astrid Lindgren, Pippi is a nine year old girl who does not follow any rules set by society but is full of life and adventure. Pippi's adventures started in the post WWII world, and since then, she has become an immortal cultural icon. It became so popular that scores of movies and television series were being made with Pippi as the leading character, the first one in 1969, a Swedish TV series called "Pippi Langstrump", later translated into many languages. The charm and resilience of this character have made her a notable literary export from Scandinavia, Astrid Lindgren is celebrated in Sweden and even finds her face on the 20 krona banknote.
The Origins of Pippi Longstocking
As charming as the character herself is, the origin story of Pippi Longstocking is. At the request of her daughter Karin, who was ill at the time, Astrid Lindgren created Pippi. She made up Pippi as a character that should differ from all the ordinary characters. The manuscript was initially rejected by Sweden's largest book publisher on the grounds that it was too controversial, but with a rewrite the work was taken up by the publishing house Raben and Sjogren after it entered their writing competition. Instantly successful, it spawned a popular series based on real life characters and Lindgren's observations of a boisterous young girl with attitudes similar to Pippi's. The outstanding features of the character like the red hair and freckles were suggested by Karin's friends and Lindegren herself having watched a young girl in Furusund.
Impact on Gender Roles
Pippi Longstocking has grown to become a real force in the determination and shaping of gender roles and societal norms. Her character dares convention through her bold, disruptive actions and further through her inability and refusal to follow rules set forth by society. The things that Pippi does from the jolliest disregard for authority to humorously redefining standards of beauty have cemented her as a timeless icon of empowerment. Her friends Tommy and Annika add depth to her adventures. Tommy's loyalty and adventurousness complement Pippi's nature of being a daredevil, while Annika's well behaved contrasts serve to point out Pippi's oddity. In this trio, children have been able to take part in different outlooks concerning behavior and conformance. Pippi continues to be a strong helper of equality among genders, allowing children to be themselves. Her anti authoritarian theme has been censored in many of the conservative societies.
The Relevance of Pippi Longstocking Today
Pippi Longstocking's relevance in today's society is very strong. Though her impact may have grown with the generation, she still continues to inspire kids in questioning norms and exploring more of themselves. Adaptations of her story into films and TV series brought Pippi before the viewer of every new generation, along with her adventurous spirit. Her character, combined with her friends Tommy and Annika, models fun and courage that encourages critical thinking, creativity, and acceptance of individuality in children. This story is a timely reminder that the world needs characters to break its discourses and push children toward self confidence. As the world progresses, the continuous appeal of Pippi Longstocking and her friends will remain charming and an inspiration to readers worldwide.
