1.

This play, written in the 1950s, is a humorous and satirical depiction

of the status of the mother in the family.

(a) What are the issues it raises?

Ans. The play ‘Mother’s Day’ is a humorous but realistic presentation of the
status of the mother in the family. She plays the dual role of a wife and a
mother. She has to serve every member of the family and care for them. The
play raises that vital issues of how to better a lot of women in the family. Mrs
Fitzgerald is a liberated and strong woman who lives life on her own terms.
But Mrs Pearson only sulks silently. She is neglected and treated as a maid.
Mrs Fitzgerald suggests a solution and even sets Mrs Pearson’s family right.

(b) Do you think it caricatures these issues or do you think that the
problem it raises is genuine? How does the play resolve the issues? Do
you agree with the resolution?
Ans. The problem of the pitiable status of women in most of the families is
genuine. For ages, a woman has been enslaved, exploited and tortured. She
gets no change and no recognition for her tireless services. Mrs Pearson
represents the entire class of such unhappy women.
She reveals her problem to her neighbour. Mrs Fitzgerald offers her services
to set the spoilt family right by interchanging their personalities. Now Mrs
Pearson has become a confident and strong woman like Mrs Fitzgerald and
vice-versa. The new Mrs Pearson is very stern with her son, daughter and
husband. She makes them realise that evening as to how mean and selfish
they all are towards her.
She smokes, drinks stout and declares her intention to do no housework on
weekends. She humiliates, ridicules and even proceeds to slap George. She
makes Doris cry. But in totality, she creates a wholesome effect. She declares
herself as the boss, the mistress of her house. Rights have to be snatched.
Too much of humility hurts. Her plan to set things right is a little bit harsh but
was badly needed here. The true realisation of one’s hurt feelings can bring
about any reform.

2. If you were to write about these issues today what are some of the
incidents, examples and problems that you would think of as relevant?
Ans. The problems are aplenty in every age and every country. For all his life
man struggles against odds and woman suffers endlessly. But apart from
domestic problems. there are major problems of corruption, cruelty, war and
violence. Terrorists are active in almost every country. At home front, bride
burning by dowry seekers is a common practice in India. Children go astray
and young men take to crimes for good life and easy money. The condition of
today’s working woman is not better. She is still a slave of the wheel. She is
being denied her due on one pretext or the other.

3. Is drama a good medium for conveying a social message? Discuss.

Ans. Literature imitates life. Drama is a slice of life itself. It presents episodes
from real life with a touch of imagination. And next to films, the stage attracts
large crowds. It is proof of the popularity of plays. Every drama deals with
social, political or religious problems. It also conveys a message directly or
indirectly.
It highlights the evils and suggests a solution. It is a different matter, however,
that people rarely learn a lesson from the stories of the horrors of war,
superstitions and physical torture. Drama through visible action puts forward
the pros and cons of a problem. It brings us face to face with the problems
and the suggested solutions. It leaves a lasting effect on us. Drama is
certainly a good medium for conveying a social message

1. Narrate the story of the play Mother’s Day in about 100 words.
Ans. The play ‘Mother’s Day’ depicts the status of the woman in a family.
She is treated as a domestic slave, taking orders from her husband as well as
children. Mrs Pearson and Mrs Fitzgerald are neighbours. They stand in sharp
contrast to each other.
Mrs Pearson is a submissive wife and mother. She is unhappy with the
treatmentshe gets from her family. She discusses her problem with her
neighbour. Mrs Fitzgerald is bold, liberated and an aggressive woman. She
knows the art of casting magic spells as well. She changes her personality
with that of Mrs Pearson. Then she stays on in Mrs Pearson’s house to deal
with George. Doris and Cyril. She sets them right and makes them see
reason. She cuts them to size. They agree to do as Mrs Pearson desires. The
two women again become their old normal selves. The play ends on a happy
note.

2. Write a note on the theme of the play Mother’s Day. Do you approve of
the method adopted by Mrs Fitzgerald? Elucidate.
Ans. The theme of Mother’s Day is the low status of a woman in her family,
and how she deserves to be the boss of the house. This issue is common in
every country. She is the weaker sex. She is neglected. Her services are
neither acknowledged nor paid for. Mrs Fitzgerald, the liberated and strong
neighbour of Mrs Pearson, shows the way.
She enters her spirit into Mrs Pearson’s body and spends a couple of hours in
the neighbour’s house. She deals very harshly with all the family members.
George. Cyril and Doris—all of them are shocked and surprised at the
changed behaviour of Mrs Pearson. They give in at last to her wishes. Mrs
Fitzgerald’s method proves very successful in solving the problem.

3. Give your brief comments on the five main characters in the play
Mother’s Day.
Ans. Mother’s Day is a humorous and satirical presentation of a grim little
family drama. It discusses the issue of the status of a mother and wife in the
family. The play has five characters in all. Mrs Fitzgerald is a strong woman,
aggressive and demanding. Her neighbour Mrs Pearson is just her opposite.
She is given to serving her husband and children. She makes no demands:
she does not dare to displease anybody, but she resents their behaviour
inwardly. Her husband George is pompous, selfish and the centre of jokes at
the club. Her son Cyril is a young man and her daughter is Doris. Both are
working in offices.
They come home in the evening, demand tea and ironed clothes so that they
can go out again. All the three are self-centred. They neglect Mrs Pearson
who is all docile, motherly and submissive.
4. How does Mrs Fitzgerald passing for Mrs Pearson put Mr George,
Doris and Cyril in their places?
Ans. Mrs Fitzgerald comes to the rescue of Mrs Pearson. She transfers her
spirit into Mrs Pearson’s body and gets ready to show all the three members
their places. Her first target is Doris. She comes home demands tea and
orders the mother to iron her yellow silk. But she is astonished when her
mother goes on smoking and is planning to eat out at a restaurant.
She gets such a rough treatment that she is all in tears. The next target is
Cyril. He also finds his mother cold and defiant. Both suspect that she has hit
her head against something. Mother chides them for whispering and laughing.
George, as he enters the room, finds his wife smoking, drinking stout and
playing cards.
He objects to all that but is told curtly to shut up. He is told how the club
members make fun of him behind his back. Thus, they all are made to realise
how mean and selfish they have been towards Mrs Pearson.

5. Compare and contrast the characters of Mrs Fitzgerald and Mrs

Pearson. Who do you admire and why?
Ans. Mrs Fitzgerald and Mrs Pearson make an interesting study in contrast.
Mrs Fitzgerald is strong, aggressive, liberated and domineering. She lives life
on her own terms. She smokes, plays cards and drinks stout. She can
challenge anybody. She even jumps up to slap George. She runs down Doris’
fiance.
She takes Cyril to task for wasting time and money on dog races and ice
shows. Mrs Pearson, on the other hand, is weakminded and docile. She does
not dare to displease any member of her family. She agrees with the way
suggested by Mrs Fitzgerald but she is afraid of hurting the feelings of the
members of her family.
Mrs Fitzgerald has a domineering personality while Mrs Pearson has pleasing
looks and nature and she is rather nervous. We certainly need more women
like Mrs Fitzgerald, who can stand up for their rights.

6. How do you look at Mrs Pearson’s genuine problems and Mrs

Fitzgerald’s suggestion? Is it practicable, imaginative and realistic?
Ans. The resentment of Mrs Pearson is genuine and realistic. Hers is a
miserable life. That is the experience of most of the women. She is sensitive
and servile. That is why she is neglected by her family members.
The solution suggested by Mrs Fitzgerald is quite effective. But it is not
practical as everyone does not have magic skills. Mrs Fitzgerald commands a
drastic action. Any woman, who is in Mrs Pearson’s place, would have to deal
with the situation in a tactful manner. The matter would have to be resolved by
discussing things with each other rather than the dramatic way shown by Mrs
Fitzgerald.

7. We talk of women’s liberation movement but it is a grim and sad

reality that our women, except some, are slaves of the wheel as they
were in the past. What place do women have in Indian society? Discuss.
Ans. India has been and is still a male-dominated society. Boys are definitely
preferred to girls. In reality, the man still governs unquestioned. It will not be
wrong to say that employed women in general work at home like drudges.
In our society a wife depends upon her husband; a daughter remains under
her parents; a mother depends on her husband and son. The condition of a
widow is worse. A woman finds it difficult to move freely. All social taboos are
meant for her.
Some women today are free to choose their career, but the majority of them
are still oppressed. Strangely enough women in ancient India enjoyed honour
and respect and were true better halves of men. They enjoyed equal rights to
men. They were at liberty to get an education and choose their life partners.
Nowadays, due to education, the condition of women is improving. All
important services are thrown open to them. We see women occupying high
posts. They have excelled men in many fields. In the social, economic and
political sphere, they have earned name and fame. Due to education, views
and old thinking of the Indian society is changing. Today women have earned
a place for themselves in every field and the future of Indian women is brighter
still

Central idea

the central idea revolves around the recognition and appreciation of mothers'
indispensable roles in families and society. This chapter highlights the often-overlooked
sacrifices and tireless efforts of mothers, advocating for a greater acknowledgment of
their contributions. It emphasizes the importance of expressing gratitude and showing
respect towards mothers, who are pivotal in nurturing and guiding their children. The
narrative encourages a deeper understanding of the emotional and physical labor that
motherhood entails, promoting a sense of empathy and reverence for maternal figures.
Justification of title

The title "Mother's Day" is aptly justified as it encapsulates the essence of the chapter,
which is dedicated to celebrating and acknowledging the significant role of mothers. The
title immediately signals the focus on mothers, setting the stage for a deeper exploration
of their contributions, sacrifices, and the unconditional love they provide. By centering
on a day specifically designated for honoring mothers, the title underscores the
importance of recognizing and appreciating their efforts, thus resonating with the core
theme of the chapter.