A Theatrical Revelation

[bjarvis]

We had a revelation tonight after seeing "Mary Poppins" at the Kennedy Center this afternoon (thanks to bearfuz for getting us such great seats).

Mary Poppins is Jesus!

Consider the following:

1. She appears after a burnt offering, the kids' list of requirements torched by dad... That's pretty miraculous, IMHO.
   
2. She is practically perfect.
   
3. She can feed the masses with minimal effort with her cake enhancement magic.
   
4. She cures the sick with a little bit of sugar in addition to her medicine. We suspect this is also an aspect of the water-into-wine superpower.
   
5. She animates the inanimate.
   
6. She brings a code of conduct and behavior to her followers.
   
7. She shows mercy and compassion to the rejects of society and scorn to the wealthy and vain.
   
8. Woe unto those who suffer her wrath! See how she visits justice upon the transgressors, especially where toys are involved.
   
9. She returns from oblivion after three days.
   
10. She faces her evil counterpart, the Holy Terror Ms Andrew, and vanquishes the anti-Poppins.
    
11. Her work done, she returns to the heavens from which she came.
    

Case closed.

Comments

[jss]

But was Mary Poppins ever nailed to a tree?

[bearfuz.livejournal.com]

Not in any of the first eight books.

[vasilatos]

Does it include the bank song?

[bearfuz.livejournal.com]

It doesn't. Nor does it include "I Love to Laugh," "Sister Suffragette," or "Stay Awake."

[vasilatos]

As some know, I've been working with Arne Adolfsen on recovering from depression, and now job hunting, and it came up that he absolutely refuses to work for a bank. So I went to youtube and played the Mary Poppins bank song for him as we did a little delving into the psychology of why he might so detest banks. He said it was indeed quite on point.

We do have to make more progress on managing money, really. Me, I love banks and brokerages and stocks and bonds and dividends and all that...

[bearfuz.livejournal.com]

I have semi-privately believed just what you posted here for some time; I'm glad to know that I am not alone in my recognition of the Divine Feminine in Mary Poppins.

Further reading of the books will reveal even more godlike features; in the 2nd book, for instance, Jane and Michael somehow follow Mary to an unknown place above the stars where there is some kind of circus going on (I think the animals that populate the constellations take part in it, or something), and everyone bows down and pays obeisance to her Practically Perfect Presence.

Not seen in either the movie or the stage musical are the three younger siblings of Jane and Michael; the youngest, Annabel, is born during the course of the second book, and at birth she is shown (through conversations she has with a bird) to have a degree of self-awareness — omniscience, even — that harks back to the Mormons' concept of a pre-earthly existence which is forgotten by all babies at or soon after birth (which is what happens to Annabel within a day or so). I believe that the birds recognize Mary as one who somehow has never forgotten the things she knew at birth, the way the rest of us have. Or something like that.

The implication at the end of the stage musical is that Mary, having completed her mission at the Banks household, is off to parts unknown to save another family. This, I think, can be likened to the Mormon belief that after Jesus' resurrection and ascension he appeared and preached to "his other sheep" in America. (I'm not making this up.)

I'm sure that practitioners of other religions will be able to find Marian parallels in their own theology. She's not only practically perfect, she's endlessly flexible! Buddha would be jealous.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

The Church of Mary Poppins! :)

Did Chip get to sit with you or was he playing the show?

HUGS!

[cuyahogarvr.livejournal.com]

Sadly, he was in rehearsal, but he gave us a FABULOUS backstage tour afterwards.

[cuyahogarvr.livejournal.com]

And she talks to the animals. Does that make her Dr. Doolittle too?

[trawnapanda.livejournal.com]

after a burnt offering? that wasn't Jeezuz, all the things-on-fire stories are in the old testament. are you sure you're not thinking of Abraham & Isaac? Moses and the burning bush?