Disappointed

I would have to admit that I am somewhat disappointed in Mary Poppins. I had expected more of the whimsy and smiles of the movie and instead have been drug into new age philosophy wrapped in childhood adventure and fantasy. Owen is oblivious and pays little attention anyway, so I’m finishing the book. I will be happy, however, to show him the inconsistent interpretation that Disney has offered us and allow him to soak in “A spoonful of sugar” rather than a head-full of lies.

I was continuously questioning things as I read, but chalked it up to imagination and creativity at work in the author’s mind. Then after reading chapter 10 and it’s wickedly mellow diatribe on godlessness I am sickened by it. I had felt simply that the story offered no happiness, only fantastic incidents that had no value. This in itself was disappointing. I find I like a lesson on giving or self-sacrifice in my children’s stories. But the following quote set me on edge and sealed the fate of Mary Poppins and P.L. Travers as never entering our house again. These are the words of a Hamadryad, a great snake referred to in this particular zoo visit adventure as the lord of the jungle. All the other animals bowed to him and he was also referred to as a first cousin once removed to Mary Poppins.

“‘it may be that to eat and be eaten are the same thing in the end. My wisdom tells me that this is probably so. We are all made of the same stuff, remember, we of the Jungle, you of the City. The same substance composes us — the tree overhead, the stone beneath us, the bird, the beast, the star — we are all one, all moving to the same end. Remember that when you no longer remember me, my child.’

‘Child and serpent, star and stone — all one’”

Pretty obvious, isn’t it? Later, I read some things online about Pamela Travers, the author. She had a Zen master who influenced her and she studied all religions. There is a lot that could be said of her but I won’t waste your time. Simply, she was a teacher of false doctrine and won’t be allowed here again. Apparently she cried at the movie’s opening because of the vast difference of the Mary Poppins in the movie compared to the Mary Poppins she had created in her books as well as the license taken to change the story drastically. It is a shame, because in reading about her it sounds like she was an incredibly giving and delightful individual, who spent time with mothers and children and was flying kites in the park into her 60’s. Deception is so often cloaked in comfort, but never does it satisfy. It is said she built her life around questioning, never ever giving up on questioning to her dying day. I would rather spend my time with the One who has answers.