In the musical, Maria is a novice in a nunnery, but she is constantly breaking the rules of propriety.
Soon, she is hired to be the new governess of the Von Trapp children, seven siblings whose father, Captain Von Trapp, is a very harsh, military man.
She works with the children and though they are misbehaving at the beginning, they soon learn to love their new teacher, as she uses music and singing to help them learn.
Eventually, the siblings are happier than they have ever been, which melts the heart of their father, who falls in love with Maria.
