P. L. Travers quotes - page 2

I think that Mary Poppins needs a subtle reader, in many respects, to grasp all its implications, and I understand that these cannot be translated in terms of the film. (P. L. Travers)
It is clear from Gurdjieff's writings that hypnotism, mesmerism and various arcane methods of expanding consciousness must have played a large part in the studies of the Seekers of Truth. View quote
P. L. Travers
Then the shape, tossed and bent under the wind, lifted the latch of the gate, and they could see that it belonged to a woman, who was holding her hat on with one hand and carrying a bag in the other. As they watched, Jane and Michael saw a curious thing happen. As soon as the shape was inside the gate the wind seemed to catch her up into the air and fling her at the house. It was as though it had flung her first at the gate, waited for her to open it, and then had lifted and thrown her, bag and all, at the front door. The watching children heard a terrific bang, and as she landed the whole house shook. "How funny! I've never seen that happen before," said Michael. View quote
P. L. Travers
Sorrow lies like a heartbeat behind everything I have written. View quote
P. L. Travers
I cannot summon up inspiration; I myself am summoned. View quote
P. L. Travers
And then I realized that she is me. Now I can say much more about Mary Poppins because what was known to me in my blood and instincts has now come up to the surface in my head. View quote
P. L. Travers
What nonsense! I'm given these things to make a pattern out of. Something gave it to me. I've always loved the idea of the craftsman, the anonymous man. View quote
P. L. Travers
I think if she comes from anywhere that has a name, it is out of myth. View quote
P. L. Travers
These men - Yeats, James Stephens, and the rest - had aristocratic minds. For them, the world was not fragmented. An idea did not suddenly grow ... all alone and separate. View quote
P. L. Travers
I certainly had no specific child in mind when I wrote Mary Poppins. View quote
P. L. Travers
Nevertheless, it is Guy Fawkes who is remembered today and King James who is forgotten. For since that time, the Fifth of November in England, like the Fourth of July in America, has been devoted to Fireworks. (P. L. Travers)
The book was entirely spontaneous and not invented, not thought out. I never said, "Well, I'll write a story about Mother Goddess and call it Mary Poppins.” It didn't happen like that. I cannot summon up inspiration; I myself am summoned. View quote
P. L. Travers
If you are looking for Number Seventeen - and it is more than likely that you will be, for this book is all about that particular house - you will very soon find it. View quote
P. L. Travers
I am grateful that children have included my books in their treasure trove. View quote
P. L. Travers
We pass. But what the bee knows, the wisdom that sustains our passing life - however much we deny or ignore it - that for ever remains. View quote
P. L. Travers
Anon is my favorite literary character. View quote
P. L. Travers
She is either the Mother Goddess or one of her creatures. View quote
P. L. Travers
My Zen master, because I've studied Zen for a long time, told me that every one (and all the stories weren't written then) of the Mary Poppins stories is in essence a Zen story. View quote
P. L. Travers
If we're completely honest, not sentimental or nostalgic, we have no idea where childhood ends and maturity begins. It is one unending thread, not a life chopped up into sections out of touch with one another. View quote
P. L. Travers
I got a letter back saying: "Why didn't you tell me? Mary Poppins with her cool green core of sex has me enthralled forever.”. View quote
P. L. Travers
Everything comes out of living with an idea. If I knew how to summon up inspiration, would I give my secret away? (P. L. Travers)
When I write it's more a process of listening. View quote
P. L. Travers
Friend Monkey is really my favorite of all my books because the Hindu myth on which it is based is my favorite - the myth of the Monkey Lord who loved so much that he created chaos wherever he went. ... when you read the Ramayana you'll come across the story of Hanuman on which I built my version of that very old myth. I love Friend Monkey. View quote
P. L. Travers
The true fairytales ... come straight out of myth; they are, as it were, minuscule reaffirmation of myths, or perhaps the myth made accessible to the local folky mind. View quote
P. L. Travers
The Fifth of November is Guy Fawkes' Day in England. View quote
P. L. Travers

P. L. Travers

P. L. Travers - Image
Occupation: Australian Novelist
Born: August 9, 1899
Died: April 23, 1996
Quotes count: 68
Wikipedia: P. L. Travers

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