There is a chapter in Pippi Longstocking in which Pippi decides to go to school just so she can have a vacation. This experience, however, is simply too great a change from her everyday lifestyle of unstructured adventure and imagination. She is unable to sit still, as most children are, but instead of attempting to, she runs with her imagination as she always has, and throws the teacher off by drawing a giant animal on the floor. This untamed act is one of many examples of Pippi’s inability to adjust to the lifestyle, and ways of the society she has entered into. She can’t merely sit in her desk, for she is governed solely by her incredible imagination and yen for adventure, rulers which tend to lead one astray from the viewpoints of our society.
Pippi Longstocking exemplifies childhood at its most liberated. She is guided solely by her imagination, curiosity, and constant yearning for adventure rather than a strong parental hand, or any adult figure for that matter. With her father gone Pippi must embrace her individuality and her lonesomeness. She attempts to fill the void with fun and excitement, but it becomes visible that parents, and school are integral parts of ones progression into a member of the world about one.
The physical strength Pippi posses is merely one aspect of her being that typifies her strong independence, not needing anyone to protect her, for she is fully capable of protecting herself. Her naiveté, however, does get her in some questionable situations. For example, when conmen attempt to rob her of her treasures, her strength is an ever-present reminder that despite her lack of parents or guidance of any sort, she can take care of herself. This powerful example that Pippi sets opens children up to their individual, innate abilities of imagination, and of strength, beyond that which is instilled upon them from the adult figures all about them. Looking at this same scene conversely, one can see that had she had the guidance of parents or schooling, she would have known better than to let these strange men into her house. She would never had to use her strength, she would have been protected.
Pippi Longstocking was put into a situation no child should ever have to be in, that of loosing her parents, but she was strong. It is this strength that is so tragic. She ought to have experienced her childhood to grow, develop, and imagine. Though she does use her imagination, she was robbed of the development most children have from childhood to adult hood, of dependence to independence that all children must have. Pippi is strong; she is inspiring; she personifies the need for dependence all children have, though few acknowledge.
Ultimately, parental figures are a big factor in anyones life. Family is needed to help one grow into adulthood. One of the biggest fears in one's life is losing one's parents. Pippi had to endure just that, but none should have to. Appreciate the family that you have, whether by blood, or not, and take your time growing up, fostering the childhood everyone should be able to have.
