Status Updates From Mary Poppins: 80th Annivers...

In chapter four we meet Andrew, the over pampered and miserable dog of Miss Lark. Travers has a great time making fun of the English social classes with Andrew not being happy unless he is in the company of common dogs especially his mongrel pal,Willoughby. Mary Poppins is able to talk to Andrew of course undermining Michael’s social opinions, inherited from his dad.

“Don’t you know,” she said pityingly, “everyone has their own fairyland?”

Two things become clear in the second chapter that are not so clear from the film. One Mary Poppins and Bourke really are in a romantic relationship which in someways makes her far more vulnerable. Two, Mary Poppins is not completely in control of the magic of what she participates.. In other words, she is as surprised about being able to jump into a sidewalk chalk painting as Bert is.

Of course I saw the film as a child so comparisons must come. Sadly no hord of nannies to be blow away and Mary Poppins is blown in abruptly. Mary’s personality is a bit more fierce in the book. I love that Mrs. Banks is susceptible to cultural snobbery. Just tell her something is out of date (like references) and she abandons the concept,