The Collection of Wonders

Astrid Lindgren’s and Ingrid Vang Nyman’s novels and picture books about Pippi Longstocking are filled with swarms of objects, both every-day items and exotic treasures, which are gathered around the main character in a jumbled and joyful disorder. In this article, the constellations of every-day objects and artefacts, food, and treasures are studied in relation to the tradition of still-life painting and the motif of curiosity cabinets. The article argues that the norm-breaking essence of Pippi Longstocking is expressed not only in the text but also by the way the interior of Pippi’s home is organized both spatially and materially. Furthermore, a self-reflective and intertextual context is brought to the fore. Here, art historian Victor Stoichita’s theoretical work will be used as a standing point for the analysis, alongside research about the text-image interaction in picture books and illustrated children’s literature. Lindgren’s unconventional character functions as a catalyst in the stories which highlight norms, standards and expectations. However, in doing so, the character herself is portrayed as strange, exotic, and curious – very similar to the strange and wonderful things surrounding her.