Pippi Longstocking Strength and Skill Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

"Oh no, I'm sorry. I haven't time to play any longer," said Pippi. "But it was fun."

Then she took hold of the policemen by their belts and carried them down the garden path, out through the gate, and onto the street. There she set them down. (3.38-39)

In the first chapter we're told that there's not a policeman in the world stronger than Pippi, and here we get to see that statement put to the test. She doesn't just outwit these two officers, she outmuscles them, and remember—they're symbols of law and order. So that either makes Pippi a symbol of anarchy and chaos, or suggests that she might be advocating for a different sort of law and order.

Quote #5

"As I was saying," went on Pippi, "forgive me for breaking up, and also forgive me for breaking off," and with that she broke off one of the bull's horns. (6.52

Truthfully, we're a little creeped out by the idea of snapping the horns off a bull. Of course, Lindgren makes sure we know it doesn't hurt the bull at all ("as bulls have no feeling in their horns" (6.53)), but still it seems a little… aggressive. But Pippi's done two important things here: she's calmly rescued her friend from a dangerous situation, and she's taken an imminent threat and made it docile. Really docile. At the end of the scene the bull is sleeping like a baby.

Quote #6

The bull whirled round and round trying to throw Pippi.

"See me dancing with my little friend!" cried Pippi and kept her seat. (6.55-56)

Have you ever seen someone trying to ride a bull? Eight seconds is the length of time bullriders try to stay on. Eight seconds. Pippi stays on till the bull lies down and takes a nap. If she ever runs out of gold coins, she should enter a few rodeos.