Even though Mary Poppins makes the kids happy through extreme methods—leading them into a cartoon world, for instance—the movie's actual message is that happiness doesn't cost too much.
In the end, Jane and Michael are just as happy flying a kite with their Dad as they were venturing into the animated English countryside with Mary or dancing to "Step in Time" with the chimney sweeps.
Where Mr. Banks initially thinks that Dawes Sr. and Jr. have the keys to happiness, Mary shows him how wrong he really is. She cheers up the entire household and gets him to follow suit.
Questions about Happiness
- What does Mary Poppins suggest the key to happiness is?
- Who's happier—the lady who feeds the pigeons on the steps of St. Paul's, or Mr. Banks (before his change at the movie's end)?
- What does the song "Feed the Birds" say about happiness?
- How do Dawes Sr. and Jr. pursue happiness—and why doesn't it make them happy?
Chew on This
According to Mary Poppins, the key to happiness is enjoying the small and simple things, like feeding the birds or flying a kite.
According to Mary Poppins, the key to happiness is always adding an element of fun to everything you do, even if the task at hand seems boring.