Chapter 5 - Mothers Day

This article will help you to learn about the summary, characters and themes in Chapter 5 Snapshot Class 11 “Mother’s Day”, written by J. B. Priestley. It will also guide you through Mother’s Day NCERT Solutions.

Synopsis

This play, which is a humorous and satirical depiction of a mother’s status in a family, was written way back in 1950 and till date stands quite right in cases of homemakers. Unless and until they fight back for their rights, their contribution is not recognised in the family. The characters in this play are Mrs Annie Pearson (the mother); husband Mr George Pearson, son Cyril, daughter Doris and the neighbour Mrs Fitzgerald.

Mrs Fitzgerald knows tarot card reading which she had learnt while she was living in the east with her husband. She finds out that Mrs Pearson does not get the due respect she should get from her family and advises her to take steady steps to be the mistress of her own house. Though Mrs Pearson doubted herself whether or not she will be able to follow her advice, she didn’t want any unpleasantness in her house. Moreover, she didn’t know when or how to put her point. Mrs Fitzgerald advised her to start that very day, but Mrs Pearson was reluctant as she won’t be able to keep her promise. Mrs Fitzgerald had an excellent idea. As she had learnt much magic in the east, she can change place with Mrs Pearson i.e.Mrs. Pearson will have Mrs Fitzgerald’s mind and vice versa.

They both held hands and sat on the table quietly. Mrs Fitzgerald enchanted some magic words, and their minds got exchanged. After Mrs Fitzgerald with Mrs Pearson’s mind leaves for her house, Doris arrives and sees s her mother smoking. She is shocked. She argues with her as now all of a sudden her mother is not ready to iron her dresses for the evening or prepare tea or even supper. Dorris is horrified at her mother’s attitude and runs away crying. After sometime Cyril appears from work and he too is flatly denied when he asks for tea. Cyril is alarmed and asks if she was feeling well or not? Then Mrs Pearson takes out a bottle of stout and drinks. Both the siblings are astonished and start wondering if she has had a fall or hit her head. Now Mr Person arrives, and all three start complaining about tea not being ready as they had worked so hard for eight hours.

To this, Mrs Pearson says that from that very moment, she would also work for only eight hours a day and weekends off. Mr Pearson gets angry and gets ready for the club when Mrs Pearson tells him that people at the club call him Pompy Ompy Pearson and laughs at him. He becomes very sad. Now Mrs Fitzgerald, with Mrs Pearson’s mind enters the house and seeing everyone sad asks to leave Mrs Pearson and her alone for a few minutes, and maybe everything will be alright. On being alone Mrs Fitzgerald enchants some magic words, and again their bodies get back their mind, but now Mrs Pearson’s family give her more respect and considers her likes and dislikes.

Character List

Given below are some main characters in the story and their small sketch:

Doris Pearson– She is the daughter of Mrs Pearson. A pretty girl in her early twenties, she looks pleasant but she is a ‘spoilt’ child and makes her mother run after her all the time. She gives order to her as if Mrs Pearson were the servant in the house. She asks her mother to iron her yellow silk and expects tea to be served to her, without having to do anything.

Cyril– He is the masculine counterpart of Doris and is also ‘spoilt’ like his sister. He is in the habit of treating his mother very casually. Cyril asks if tea is ready. When Mrs Pearson says ‘no’, he angrily answers back: “Why not?”  Then he orders: “Did you put my things out?” So he makes his mother run all the time doing one thing or the other.

Mrs Pearson– She appears to be a timid and confused lady. She is a devoted housewife in her forties and enjoys serving her husband and children. Mrs Pearson is ignored and made to work throughout the day. In spite of their ill-treatment, neglect and exploitation, she loves them all. In fact, for that, she endures everything without any murmur of protest. However, Mrs Fitzgerald brings about a change in her personality by helping her to become more assertive and dominating at the end.

Mrs Fitzgerald– She is a quite experienced and smart woman who knows some esoteric magic that she learned in the East. Mrs Fitzgerald is a strong, dominating and bold lady who smokes and plays cards. She has a deep voice with an Irish accent and she sets all the spoilt members of Mrs Pearson’s family right.

Themes

The theme of the play is the status of women in their own household. The housewife serves the members of her family with complete devotion, sincerity and love. However, she is never given the regard, attention or thanks that she truly deserves. Her leniency and enthusiasm, to please everyone bring her to the rank of unpaid domestic help in her own house. Instead of being politely requested for a favour, she is ordered to do it, without getting thanks in return.

For Mother’s Day Class 11 Extra Questions and Answers, check out NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Mother’s Day.