Empathy In Saving Mr. Banks

“It’s not the children she comes to save, it’s their father.” In Saving Mr. Banks, Walt Disney says this as he finally proves to P.L Travers that he is worthy of adapting the stories of Mary Poppins to film. In a tender scene, the power of empathy is fully displayed as the two finally are able to connect on a deep and meaningful level. An interesting coincidence, considering Mr. Banks for a bulk of the film he is incapable of empathy. Mr. Banks, a central character in Walt Disney’s “Mary Poppins”, initially lacks the essential ability to express empathy and vulnerability but through embracing vulnerability, he develops the skills to gain a more meaningful and whole-hearted connection with his children.

For example, Mr. Banks is quick to blame

others for the problems he faces. At the beginning of the film, the Banks’ struggle to care for and discipline their children who often run away. Thus, he blames the children’s unacceptable behavior on his wife’s inability to hire a capable nanny and suggest his judgement is required for such a task. According to Brene Brown in “The Power Vulnerability”, blame is a method of re-establishing control and re-directing discomfort. Mr.Banks avoids his discomfort towards his children’s behavior and resumes control of the situation by reflecting his feelings as blame towards others.
In addition to his wife, Mr.

Banks is convinced Mary Poppins is at fault for every problem he has face since her appearance: “It's that woman Mary Poppins. From the moment she stepped into this house, things began to happen to me!... I realize it now. She tricked me into taking Jane and Michael to the bank. That's how all the trouble started.” Again and again, Mr. Bank re-directs his discomfort at his wife and Mary Poppins because he is unable to hold the true person at fault accountable, which is himself. Mr. Banks is a terrible father, who neglects his children and imposes ridiculous disciplinary regulations upon them, resulting in his children misbehaving in hopes to gain his attention. Mr. Banks struggles to hold himself accountable because he is unable to fully connect with his family and communicate his feelings. He lacks the fundamental ability to embrace vulnerability with himself, and therefore unable to embrace vulnerability and empathy with his family. Brown’s research confirms this idea because she finds those who enjoy blaming are often unable to actually hold those at fault accountable, and thus are unable to be vulnerable. Although, all hope is not lost for Mr.

Banks.
Through the course of the film, Mr. Banks manages to learn and connect with his family by going step by step through Brown’s qualities of empathy, which include: “(1)Perspective taking, the ability to take the perspective of another person or recognizing their perspective as their truth. (2)Staying out of judgement. (3) Recognizing emotions in other people (4) then communicating them”
Initially, Mr.

Banks is unable to build a connection and fully recognize the perspective of his children because he is completely enclose in his own ideology: “A British bank is run with precision. A British home requires nothing less. Tradition, discipline and rules must be the tools. Without them, disorder, catastrophe, anarchy. In short you have a ghastly mess.” As shown, he is focus on bestowing the values and ideals of a banker onto his children with no consideration of the children’s own ideas. Due to his close-mindedness, he is unable to refrain from judgement which is the second quality of empathy. Overall, in his initial state he is incapable being

empathetic.
Yet, he gains the perspective of his children once confronted with his own behavior when Bert says, “A man with all the important things you have to do. Shameful! You're a man of high position. Esteemed by your peers. And when your little tykes are cryin' you haven't time to dry their tears and see them grateful little faces smiling' up at you.” He realises his children only wish for affection and connection with their dear father, despite his judgements toward the terrible ways in which they tried to earn it. He is ultimately able to understand and see the needs of his children because he is finally able to embrace the vulnerability within himself. He grows step by step through Brown’s qualities of empathy as he uses his children’s perspective and feelings to, without judgement, establish a strong connection because he finally hold himself accountable for his behavior. Through holding himself accountable, he is forced to be vulnerable with himself and becomes that little boy as he embraces all that he previously denied: imagination, whimsical songs, and childlike innocence.
Mary Poppins came to the Banks household to save the father. She does just this. Mr. Banks has a radical transformation throughout the Disney film resulting in a whole-hearted vulnerable father who establishes much needed connections with his family.