Maria as a Christ-like Figure

Here, Jesus is depicted teaching his disciples about God, as Maria is teaching the children about music.

Shortly after the song “Maria,” she is called into Mother Abbess’s office, where she is asked to leave the convent, in order to become a governess for the Von Trapp family. The highest figure in the convent is sending one of her own into the real world. This could be interpreted as God sending Jesus, his son, down from heaven onto the earth. Reluctantly at first, but then optimistically, she sets on her way. On her trip, she sings “I have confidence,” which includes the lyrics “Heaven bless them,” referring to the children, and:

Strength doesn’t lie in numbers,

Strength doesn't lie in wealth,

strength lies in nights of peaceful slumbers

When you wake up -- Wake Up!”

These could be interpreted as symbolic of Christianity, in that the religion survived the early days when there were only a few supporters, and the view that you don’t have to be wealthy to live a good life. The final two lines of the preceding excerpt could also be regarding the resurrection of Christ, in that the strength of the Lord doesn’t lie in the number of people that follow him, or how wealthy they are, but in their belief that he died and resurrected for them.

Her mission as a Christ-like figure continues when she meets the Von Trapp Family, especially the Captain. They were cold, hostile, the children also mischievous, but she saw the potential for good in them, as Jesus did with all of man-kind, and she did like him and worked to make them better people. By bringing music back into the family, she also brought back hope and love. Initially, she would bring the children around the mountainside and villages, leading the 8 children as she taught them about music. This resembles Jesus leading his disciples through the deserts and villages as he preached to them about God. And as Jesus and his followers, once they came together, they all worked to spread the word of the Lord. This is similar to how the Von Trapp's began singing together to spread the nationalistic Austrian belief that they should not be taken over by the Nazis. Maria’s role as a leader, teacher, and inspiration to the children reflects Jesus’ similar roles to his apostles and later, the world.