The N-word was not condemned in 1945 the way it rightfully is today. However, the racist term has to be seen in the publication ’s historical context. The combination with the term “king” reinforces this connotation even more. The use of the N-word alone stands in connection with colonialism and slave trade and puts the described people in an inferior position and the describers in a position of power. The term “n*kung” is highly problematic and would no longer be accepted today. Pippilotta Victualia Rollgardina Peppermint Efraim’s Daughter Longstocking, daughter of captain Longstocking, formerly the terror of the seas, now n*king. Pippilotta Viktualia Rullgardina Krusmynta Efraimsdotter Långstrump, dotter till kapten Efraim Långstrump, fordom havens skräck, numera n*kung ] (Lindgren, Pippi Långstrump 57). When Pippi goes to school with Annika and Tommy, she introduces herself and mentions her father:
One of the most obvious racist features in the language of Pippi Långstrump is the description of Pippi’s father. With this short analysis I want to demonstrate that these aspects have to be seen in their historical context and could be seen as a stylistic device to criticize the hegemonic society. I would like to give a brief overview of some of those aspects by showing a couple examples and analysing them from a postcolonial perspective. But despite Pippi’s positive influence on children and her unquestionably important role in the gender discourse in children’s literature, Lindgren’s books contain some colonial and racist aspects. But with the success of Pippi, Astrid was able to dedicate herself to writing full-time, prolifically producing six books between 19, and laying the foundations on which she would build her unique literary legacy.©The Astrid Lindgren Company/Ingrid Vang NymanĪstrid Lindgren’s Pippi is a well-known child heroine who has for the last 76 years inspired many children all around the world and still does to this day.
During the preceding years, Lindgren’s more personal writing had consisted largely of her own war diaries, documenting the events of the war and recounting her daily life, including her work of censoring mail for Sweden’s Special Intelligence Agency. She continued to make up stories for her children and friends, and Pippi was eventually introduced to the rest of the world in 1945, just as World War II came to an end. To quote Astrid, “because it was a strange name, it had to be an equally strange girl”. While sick at home, Karin requested a story from her mother about the funny-sounding name, leading to an improvised and interesting tale. Astrid Lindgren’s literary career began in the early 1940s, and the character for which she is best known, Pippi Longstocking, was named in 1941 by Astrid’s own daughter, Karin.
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