"But who tells you to go to bed at night and things like that?" asked Annika.
"I do," said Pippi. "First I tell myself once very nicely and if I don't obey, then I tell myself again, very sternly, and if I still don't obey, then it's time for a spanking, of course."
Although Pippi does not have parents, she is aware of the need for structure and often parents herself. Although she might have been teasing Annika for asking the question and has a tendency to poke fun at what she sees as silly adults and their rules, Pippi is actually acknowledging that a child does need to be given guidelines and instructions, and in the absence of an adult in the home she is stepping in to fill this role herself. Her recognizing that there is "acceptable behavior" is also evident when she apologizes to her teacher for not being able to behave properly, and in her nervousness at attending a tea party because she fears people don't like how she behaves.
What cowards you are! It takes all five of you to attack one boy. How cowardly. And then you start shoving around a defenseless little girl too. That's really awful!
When Pippi sees a boy being bullied, she is disgusted and steps in immediately. This is a good illustration of the book as an anti-bullying tool and also it's way of saying to children that it is perfectly fine to be different. Pippi is not afraid of the boys at all because she has exceptional strength and is easily able to put them in their place physically, but she is also unconcerned by their taunts and name-calling, which is another positive message in the chapter.
The kitchen was big and spacious. Pippi had decorated it so nicely. She had put rugs on the floor and on the table was a new tablecloth that Pippi had made herself.
Pippi is a very good home-maker, far beyond her years, probably because of having taken care of her father and the ships crew and giving her skills other children her age do not have. This is directly opposite to her formal education which is definitely behind that of other children. Pippi is intelligent but educated in what was important to a girl growing up on a ship; as well as domestic skills she has a good grounding in geography. She makes many of the things she needs herself, and is also a very good baker, ably feeding Annika and Tommy when they visit. Despite the fact she seems wild and uncontrolled, in day to day tasks she is extremely diligent and responsible.
