literature essay

Literature Essay
By Robert Wagner

Have you ever seen something magic? "Mary Poppins" by P.L.Travers, is definitely magic. She can fly around with an umbrella, and make anything come out of the bag she carries around. The movie "Mary Poppins" is easily a great example of a romantic mode of literature. The plot line, characteristics, and the symbolism all show us that it is written in the romantic mode.

In the beginning of the movie, the minor conflict is first realized. The parents realize they need a nanny, and then are disputing about it a lot. Amazingly, a wind blows all of the nannies away, and "Mary Poppins" is floating down holding her umbrella. Miraculously, the problem is solved just like that. Towards the end, the life symbolism easily sticks out. The dad does a 360, and completely turns around. Mr. Banks sings as he comes home, and is the exact opposite of what he was in the beginning of it. Before, he was a mean old man that wouldn’t do anything for anyone. The way he turned around was great for the family, because he would spend more time with them, and he was cheerful. This was probably the easiest life symbolism to pick out.

Even though the main problem is solved, there are still many more problems involved. The children run away many times. Their father is always away, and does not pay any attention to them. He is obsessed with the bank that he works at. When “Mary Poppins” comes though, nearly all of the minor problems are solved except for the dad problem. She spends more time with the children then their father, and I think must be terrible for them. All these minor problems that are solved are a symbolism of a romance plot line.

There are many characteristics that make this movie a romance. For example, there’s a lot of mysterious magic going on nearly all the time. Another obvious characteristic is that during most of the movie, there’s great weather. That’s a romance characteristic. Other symbols include the dog they own, and the types of plants seen in the movie. Those are harder to pick out, but there in the movie.
Even though there are more symbolism's of a romance in this movie, these are the main ones that take place. The plot line fits in perfectly with the story. Every single symbol points directly to romance. There is absolutely no way that this story is a tragedy, irony, or comedy. All of the characteristics, the plot line, and the symbols point to the romantic mode of literature.