MOTHER'S DAY IMPORTANT NOTES CLASS 11 SNAPSHOTS

MOTHER'S DAY BY J.B. PRIESTLY

IMPORTANT NOTES

CLASS-11 (SNAPSHOTS)

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1. Describe the characters of Mrs Pearson and Mrs Fitzgerald.

Answer: Mrs Pearson is a pleasant woman in her mid-forties. Although she is attractive, she is constantly worried because of her family’s behaviour. She is caring and calm, but also nervous and apologetic. She works tirelessly day and night and is quite submissive.

In contrast, Mrs Fitzgerald is a confident elderly woman. She is bold and outspoken. She has a deep voice, a cool temperament, and enjoys smoking and drinking. She also knows fortune-telling and lives life according to her own rules.

2. How did Doris and Cyril react after seeing their mother acting differently?

Answer: Doris and Cyril began discussing their mother’s sudden change in behaviour. Doris was worried that their mother might have hit her head and gotten a concussion, but Cyril disagreed. Doris pointed out that their mother looked and spoke differently, but Cyril couldn’t see the difference. They then started laughing as they imagined how their father would react when he saw their mother behaving in such an unusual way.

3. How does the writer portray the status of women through the play?

Answer: The play, written by J.B. Priestley, brings attention to several serious issues present in society. One major issue it highlights is the poor treatment of homemakers by their own family members. Even though they spend every hour working for the family’s well-being, they do not receive the respect they deserve. Their children too take them for granted. As a result, the homemaker who runs the entire household ends up becoming like a machine, constantly fulfilling everyone’s demands.

Another important issue shown in the play is that family members do not give enough time to one another. They prefer socialising outside rather than spending time with their own family. In the play, Mrs Pearson wishes that her family would stay home at night and play Rummy together, but this does not happen. This clearly shows how emotionally distant people have become from each other.

A further issue it brings out is society’s inability to appreciate strong and confident women. Mrs Fitzgerald is an independent and bold woman, yet Mrs Pearson’s family does not like her. Even her son insults her by calling the elderly neighbour a “silly old bag.”

Thus, the play successfully highlights several problems that are still present in modern society.

4. How does the play rightfully describe that women should stand for their rights?

Answer: The play suggests that housewives should stand up for their rights. Mrs Fitzgerald advises Mrs Pearson to be firm with her family members. Only then will they understand her worth and treat her with respect. When Mrs Pearson is unable to do this, Mrs Fitzgerald shares her idea of exchanging their personalities. She then enters Mrs Pearson’s body and begins to behave boldly and sternly with the family. This becomes a powerful lesson for them, and they finally start obeying Mrs Pearson.

Mrs Pearson had always tried to act according to her family’s demands, which sent the wrong message. They began to take her for granted. They failed to realise that she too has her own opinions, desires, and above all, independence and freedom. They also ignored the fact that she needed rest and care. Therefore, it becomes important to make them understand her true value. Once they realise this, the family understands how much a mother sacrifices to keep them happy and comfortable, and that she deserves the highest respect and recognition.

5. How did Mrs Fitzgerald help Mrs Pearson understand her importance in the family?

Answer: Mrs Fitzgerald was an older woman who was strong, bold, outspoken, and independent. She also knew fortune-telling and a bit of witchcraft. One day, her neighbour, Mrs Pearson, invited her to read her fortune. Mrs Fitzgerald told her that her future was neither completely good nor completely bad—it would depend on her own actions.

Mrs Pearson was a pleasant-looking woman in her mid-forties, always worried about her family. She knew that her husband and children didn’t care much about her, but she never had the courage to speak up. Understanding this, Mrs Fitzgerald offered to help by switching bodies with her.

After the switch, Mrs Fitzgerald—now in Mrs Pearson’s body—began to behave firmly and even rudely with the family. She refused to follow their orders and made them realise how much they depended on her. Her sudden change shocked the family, but slowly they began to understand the truth behind her behaviour.

Later, the two women switched back to their own bodies. Mrs Fitzgerald advised Mrs Pearson to remain firm and confident, or else her family would start disrespecting her again. Mrs Pearson followed her advice, and her family soon understood their mistake and began treating her with the respect and dignity she deserved.

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