How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Then all five boys joined hands around Pippi, jumping up and down and screaming, "Redhead! Redhead!"
Pippi stood in the middle of the ring and smiled in the friendliest way. Bengt had hoped she would get mad and begin to cry. At least she ought to have looked scared. (2.57-58)
Yeah, you would kind of expect a nine-year-old girl to cry or look scared, but Pippi's all about breaking down those expectations. You can judge a book by its cover, and you can't judge Pippi by her gender, age, or size.
Quote #5
[…] she lifted the horse down on the ground and they rode on him, all three. At first Annika was afraid and didn't want to, but when she saw what fun Tommy and Pippi were having, she let Pippi lift her up on the horse's back. (3.43)
There are two things we like about this quote. First that Annika—who is scared—decides to take a risk when she sees how much fun everyone else is having, and second that it's Pippi who lifts her onto the horse's back. We have to think that having a gal-pal like Pippi would inspire even the most timid young ladies to step out of their comfort zones. Just for kicks, take a minute to think how this scene (and others like it) might be different if it was always Tommy who saved the day. Would it matter? Why? And how?
Quote #6
[…] right in front of the gate stood a cow who looked as if nothing would persuade her to move. Annika yelled at her, and Tommy bravely went up and tried to push her away, but she just stood there staring at the children with her big cow eyes. To put an end to the matter, Pippi set down her basket and lifted the cow out of the way. (6.16)
We hate generalities just as much as the next Shmoopster, but in this case, Annika does what is generally expected of girls in conflict—she uses words. Tommy does what is generally expected of boys in conflict—he uses physical strength, or at least tries to. And Pippi? Well she uses physical strength, which is more of a boy thing, but she uses it in a way no boy—or man or woman—possibly could. Pippi's strength transcends regular human strength, and Pippi transcends gender.