I think that this is one of the more interesting female characters that we've read about in Kid's Lit. While Pippi was a fun, exciting (and, let's admit it - slightly annoying) character, she still didn't seem as realistic as Saaski. Pippi represents those children who are considered outcasts, but take their differences and rise above them, not caring and sort of belong without belonging to society. She doesn't feel uncomfortable in her own skin and makes her differences into a positive thing. Whether blissfully unaware of her bizarre behavior or consciously sticking it to convention, Pippi finds a way to have a good time.
Saaski, on the other hand, is almost constantly aware of her differences. She is so uncomfortable in her own skin and her own home. She doesn't have a horse or a monkey to keep her company when she feels lonely for an inexplicable reason. Having forgotten her origins, she just knows that she is not like the other children or even the other villagers in both appearance and action. Saaski feels that she must hide her differences in order to belong and even after she shrinks her toes and fingers, the children still tease and call her names like strangeling.
I think it's difficult to choose a good role model for female readers. Saaski is a character with whom I think many lonely, alienated young girls could identify with and understand, perhaps lending comfort to those readers because they know what it's like to feel left out and different. However, Pippi is a positive role model because she embraces her differences and does her own thing. I think it's good for children to read and compare the characters and perhaps find a happy medium between the two.
Purpose for Imaginative Literature
15 years ago
I agree! Saaski is a much more realistic character in terms of how she feels about being different. I think we would all want to have Pippi's tenacious confidence, but it is inhuman to be so impermeable! Saaski feels sadness, pain, joy, and love just like any reader does. I, like you, could relate to her more than to Pippi in many ways. I did always want a monkey, though.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. Pippi’s strength makes her more of a “superhero” figure than an actual child for the most part, while Saaski is (ironically) far more human. I imagine a friendship between Pippi and Saaski would work fairly well, as Pippi could protect Saaski from those that would tease or harm her, while Saaski’s Folk tendencies for fun and mischief would be right up Pippi’s alley. I think both girls might benefit from having someone else “different” to talk to, especially Saaski, who would probably benefit from Pippi’s self-assured example.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think about Pippi or Saaski as a role model for young girls until I just read your blog, but I definitely see what you mean and I also agree with you. I think that is important to point out because children do experience searching for their identity, though they don't really realize they are searching for it until around high school when they are trying to make life decisions (like what to do for future jobs/where do i go to college). That is why peer influence is so crucial during childhood, because we are in the process of forming our identity, and that is also why it is important to have good role models. Thanks for bringing this point up!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was really neat how at the beginning of my copy of The Moorchild, it says "For every child who has ever felt different." I agree with you that Saaski can be a great role model for little kids who feel different or outcast. I think Saaski does become a sort of hero in the end because she saves her adoptive parents child.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think about them as being role models until I read your blog either. I think children with different personalities would interpret each character differently. Perhaps as a teacher or parent one day we need to know which types of books to suggest to children that would speak to them on a personal level.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Saaski is a wonderful role model for girls who do feel different from everyone else. The only thing that is different about Saaski is that she does not know the difference between love and hate. She kind of understands, but not completely. It is easier to endure the perils of childhood when you do not know what feeling love or feeling hate is. Children in the real world understand these two concepts clearly and have to deal with them everyday. She is treated differently but she can't tell the emotions that are present in the people around her, therefore she can easily take people's actions and words with a grain of salt.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the need for a happy median. While I think Pippi is a better role models for young children, I understand how kids could find her to outlandish. I, personally however didn't find the moorchild to be a very uplifting book. I understand how she feels isolated and unfamiliar in her own skin but I also found myself saying; "Suck it up." I feel like she could have been productive with her differences, like Pippi, and instead just wallowed in it. Overall, I found Pippi to be a much more identifiable character but its all about personal opinion.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Saaski is an unusual role model for girls who struggle to fit in amongst other children. She is one of those characters that a girl can relate with. She has the ability to give young girls the confidence to face their differences. Pippi is more of a character that young children desire to be like. She is outrageous, yet her adventures feel attainable. These girls attract different readers and give a different level of confidence.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I agree with your thoughts. Both Saaski and Pippi can be role models for young girls, as they both have different qualities to admire. Saaski could be a role model for young girls who feel that they don't really fit in with their peers or in the world. She is able to show these girls how to be confident about themselves and about their differences. Pippi has an unrealistic life that young girls probably dream of having. SHe is also a kind girl who cares deeply for her friends and is independent and confident in herself and her actions. I think both can be inspirations to young girls.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that Pippi and Saaski can be role models for different girls. Pippi is the extroverted type while Saaski is more introverted. Pippi could be a role model to females that are more out going and can express their differences, and Saaski could be a role model to females that feel lonely or different from the rest.
ReplyDeleteI, too had not thought about Saaski or Pippi as role models for young girls. It is interesting to think about the message that each books sends to young, influential children.
ReplyDeleteThe different roles of a female character in Pippi and Saaski is perfectly explained by your post. The idea of being comfortable in one's skin is something that is so important to consider when comparing Pippi and Saaski and something that we did not discuss in great lengths in class. Children at different ages and points in their life will encounter experiences that will challenge how they feel in their own skin. The feeling of uneasiness and uncertainty is something scary that all children go through and through the characters of Pippi and Saaski readers are given insight on how two totally different people can feel the same feeling. Therefore, the feeling of isolation and uncertainty in one's skin along with the thought that one is alone ironically brings all individuals together as it is something everyone feels. Pippi and Saaski attempt to show that isolation in different ways is ultimately a shared union by/for all.
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