Mother's Day

Mother’s Day
Introduction: “Mother's Day” is a satirical play by J. B. Priestley that portrays the status of
women, particularly housewives, in a family. The play highlights how a housewife dedicates
all her time to serving her family, but her family takes her service for granted and never
acknowledges her needs. The play raises the issue of how many women are neglected and
suffer in silence, and how the issue can't be resolved by mere changes in the personality of
husbands, sons, and daughters. In order to give wives, the praise they deserve, the family
needs to give them the desired attention. The play is relevant today as well.
Summary:
The chapter portrays the practical experience of a mother, Mrs. Pearson. On a daily basis, her
kids disrespect and disregard her. In her own home, she is treated as a slave. Thus, she feels a
lot of ignorance and embarrassment every day, not only from her daughter Doris and son
Cyril but also from her husband George Pearson, who has completely turned a blind eye to
his wife. Mrs. Pearson's life turns when she meets Mrs. Fitzgerald, a fortune teller, and
discusses her family members and their terrible behaviour. She tells Mrs. Fitzgerald
everything about her family’s behaviour. Moreover, Mrs. Fitzgerald (strong and sinister
personality) recommends her to exchange personalities so as to teach her family a good
lesson. At first, Mrs. Pearson doesn't agree, but after some encouragement, she agrees to
switch bodies. After that, Mrs. Fitzgerald casts a spell and swaps her personality with Mrs.
Pearson. In a matter of seconds, their personalities switch, and Mrs. Pearson, who was calm
and composed, is now smoking and drinking. And Mrs. Fitzgerald is now sitting idle. The
scene changes, and now Mrs. Pearson is in her home, and Doris enters home. She hands her a
dress and asks her to iron as she has to go on a date with her boyfriend Charlie Spence. Also,
she even objects to her mother's smoking. And when she asks her, Mrs. Pearson replies very
harshly and advises her to do her work herself. Further, she makes fun of her boyfriend.
Afterwards, Doris feels miserable and shamed and starts crying when her mother insults and
rebukes her. After this, her son Cyril enters, asks his mother hurriedly if his tea is ready. On
which Mrs. Pearson refuses and advises him to prepare it himself. After seeing her mother's
reaction and her sister crying, he raises his voice. Also, calls Mrs. Fitzgerald an old hag on
which Mrs. Pearson instructs him to mind his language. Upon asking if anything is wrong,
Mrs Pearson tells him that she had never felt better. Cyril gets annoyed and Doris joins him
where they are told that Mrs Pearson might even take the weekend off. Next, George Pearson
enters the scene, shocked to see his wife day-drinking. He announces that he has some special
match at the club and that he won’t be requiring any tea this afternoon. On being told there is
no tea, he gets annoyed again. Mrs Pearson mocks him for getting annoyed at not getting
something he didn’t actually want. She tells him about the names they call him at the club.
She further taunts him that this would not have happened had he stayed at home once in a
while. After a while, Mrs Fitzgerald enters. She interferes in their family matters. George
gets annoyed when Mrs Fitzgerald calls him by his name. But just like it had been happening
all day, Mrs Pearson barges in to bring George on track. Doris enters the scene and she too, is
not very pleasant to Mrs Fitzgerald. Mrs Pearson brings her on track too.
At this point, Mrs Fitzgerald (actually Mrs Pearson) loses her cool and asks the family
members to excuse the two friends for a moment. She promises them that she knows how to
make the situation better. Mrs Fitzgerald asks Mrs Pearson to switch their bodies and while
Mrs Fitzgerald resists at first, but later she agrees to do it. They repeat the process they did in
the first place. The real Mrs Fitzgerald now explains Mrs Pearson how important it is for her
to be a bit dominating once in a while to establish her control and respect. The family enters
and Mrs Pearson suggests that they play rummy and the kids make supper. Everyone
instantly agrees and they are a bit relieved too. Mrs Fitzgerald exits and the play ends. When
the kids talk about being worn-out after work, she makes it very clear to both of them that
they all will work equally from that day onwards.

Mother's Day

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Mother’s Day

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