How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from The Sound of Music.
Quote #1
CAPTAIN VON TRAPP: Children, in the morning I shall be going to Vienna.
CHILDREN: Not again, Father!
GRETL: How long will you be gone this time, Father?
CAPTAIN VON TRAPP: I'm not sure, Gretl, not sure.
In addition to summoning them with a whistle and just generally avoiding any displays of affection, the captain also spends a lot of time away from home. You'll be happy to know that his children remembered the real Georg von Trapp as a fun, loving Dad who spent tons of time with them. That wouldn't have made as good a movie, though. The plot needed to have him cold and distant so it could illustrate the power of music and love.
Quote #2
MAX: Do I hear wedding bells?
BARONESS: Pealing madly! But not necessarily for me.
The captain brings the baroness home to meet the children, which both she and Max are hoping is a sign that he's thinking marriage. Somehow, she doesn't strike us as the family type. She's portrayed as glamorous and worldly, but not interested in the messy business of raising kids. If one of the governesses only lasted two hours, we can imagine the baroness lasting ten minutes.
Quote #3
MARIA: And the little ones just want to be loved. Oh please, Captain, love them, love them all!
Maria nails the captain on his refusal to let his children be children or offer them any affection. This is the scene where we really see Maria as the anti-baroness. We're practically screaming at the screen for the captain to wake up and ditch the other woman before it's too late.