Two National Heroes: Jacob Two-Two and Pippi Longstocking
Auteurs-es
Maria Nikolajeva
Stockholm University
Résumé
Résumé: À partir de deux classiques contemporains, Fifi Brindacier (1945) d'Astrid Lindgren et Jacob Deux-Deux et le dragon (1975) de Mordecai Richler, l'auteur explore les identités nationales suédoise et canadienne. L'élaboration du personnage principal reflète des caractéristiques géographiques, historiques et culturelles propres à chacune d'entre elles. Or, malgré certains traits communs comme l'âge, l'indépendance d'esprit et la contestation de l'autorité, une différence fondamentale se fait jour, laquelle ne petit s'expliquer que par un particularisme de l'identité nationale: Fifi est déjà un personnage fort qui n'a aucun désir degrandir, tandis que Jacob souhaite grandir et acquérir la force d'un adulte.
Summary: The paper investigates Canadian and Swedish national identity, taking as a point of departure two contemporary classics: Pippi Longstocking (1945) by Astrid Lindgren and Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang (1975) by Mordecai Richler. The construction of each novel's central character reflects significant geographical, historical and cultural aspects of Swedish and Canadian national identity. Despite many similarities between the two characters, for example their age, independence and rebellious attitude toward authority, their profound difference can only be accounted for by the national identity they express; Pippi is already strong and has no desire to grow up, whereas Jacob wishes to grow up into adult strength.
Biographie de l'auteur-e
Maria Nikolajeva, Stockholm University
Maria Nikolajeva is a Professor of comparative literature at Stockholm University, Sweden. She is the author and editor of several books of criticism, the most recent Aesthetic Approaches to Children's Literature (2005). She was one of the senior editors for The Oxford Encyclopedia of Children's Literature and received the International Grimm Award in 2005.
