The Magic of Mary Poppins

/ ofmariaantonia

20140422_nyc057
I just finished listening to the audio book for Mary Poppins, by P.L. Travers.

(By the way, Sophie Thompson, an amazingly gifted actor, reads the story. I love it!)

mary-poppinsAnd as I was listening, I got to thinking about all the magical elements to the story, and particularly Mary Poppins herself. I guess this is an early incarnation of what we now know as the Magical Realism genre.

Okay, so I have a question for you. If you could choose ONE of the following Mary Poppins attributes, which would it be?

  1. The ability to slide UP the banister.
  2. The carpet bag that weighs nothing and looks like it has nothing in it, but can carry just about anything.
  3. The power to float up like a balloon (as MP does to join Mr. Wigg and the children for their tea near the ceiling).
  4. The ability to speak to and understand animals (as MP does with Andrew the Dog).

So, which would YOU choose?

As for me, I think I’d pick #2… the carpet bag. Just think of the things you could carry without straining your back!

P.S. The photo above is the real umbrella from P.L. Travers that inspired Mary Poppins’ own umbrella. Its home is now at the New York Public Library in Manhattan (along with Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends).

34 thoughts on “The Magic of Mary Poppins”

    • It IS different from the movie. Although I love the movie, too. I think Walt Disney did a wonderful adaptation. He (and his team) gave it a better/different story arc. More holistic. Which I think is key to a good movie.

      The book is a little more episodic, which was definitely the style of the day. (Published in 1934, I think.) And there are some interesting characters that we don’t get to meet in the movie. There’s a scene at the zoo which is quite intriguing.

      Like

      Reply

  6. Pingback: Nancy Drew (#27): The Secret of the Wooden Lady by Carolyn Keene – Of All the Books in All the Libraries

  8. Neat post Maria!! I think I’ll give listening to Mary Poppins a try. I never thought of her like that but early magical realism sums it up so well!! I would totally pick the ability to speak to and understand animals!! Though I really want to have all of them!! Mary Poppins was a fav of mine as a kind. ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. As much as I’d love to be able to talk to my darling dog Elsa, I would have to pick the carpet bag because of my spinal condition; my life would be 100% different. Plus, my relationship with my dear Elsa is incredible already so there’s no need to change that!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • No problem. As long as it’s not for commercial use (i.e. like an ad, or if you’re selling a print of it). And as long as you credit me, Maria Antonia, as the photographer.

      It’s a cool umbrella, isn’t it? 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • Thank you so much! I will credit you as the photographer and it is not for commercial use, only for a blogpost! Thank you again 🙂
        It’s the coolest umbrella in the world as far as I am concerned but I’m partial 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  12. I’d go with the bag, for sure. It would make life so much easier! I’m also hoping, as it can hold that much, there’d be a little bit of magic to keep it organized too :). But, if I had to go with a second choice (as this is clearly the most popular!) it would be talking to and understanding animals! I think it would be as fun as it would be practical,

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment