DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, BOPAL, AHMEDABAD

CLASS XI (2022-23)

MOHER’S DAY

BY J.B.PRIESTLEY

About the Writer J.B Priestley

Writer Name J.B Priestley
Born 13 September 1894, Manningham, Bradford, United Kingdom
Died 14 August 1984, Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom
Spouse Jacquetta Hawkes (m. 1953–1984)
Priestley was born on 13 September 1894 at 34 Mannheim Road, Manningham, Bradford. His
father was a headmaster. His mother died when he was just two years old and his father
remarried four years later. Priestley was educated at Belle Vue Grammar School, which he left at
sixteen to work as a junior clerk at Helm & Co., a wool firm in the Swan Arcade. During his
years at Helm & Co. (1910–1914), he started writing at night and had articles published in local
and London newspapers.
He established himself in London as a freelance writer with mainly literary work, writing essays,
reviews, biographies, as well as reading for John Lane, the publisher. It was a period of great
activity with book after book appearing, punctuated by the terminal illness of his wife, the death
of his father, and his second marriage. He moved from non-fiction to fiction, and achieved
remarkable success with his fourth novel, The Good Companions.
Priestley served in the army during the First World War. He was badly wounded in June 1916,
when he was buried alive by a trench-mortar. He spent many months in military hospitals and
convalescent establishments, and on 26 January 1918 was commissioned as an officer in the
Devonshire Regiment, and posted back to France late summer 1918.
After his military service, Priestley received a university education at Trinity Hall, Cambridge.
By the age of 30 he had established a reputation as an essayist and critic. During the Second
World War, he was a regular broadcaster on the BBC.
He died on 14 August 1984.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEcTBbN3jws

Mother’s Day- Introduction

The play written by J.B. Priestly reveals how a mother’s efforts are ignored by her family. It
narrates how the family members who work eight hour shifts a day look upon her although she
works for the whole day and all week. After all she does for them, they take her for granted.
They make her feel obligated to provide for them and do not even appreciate her efforts. It
revolves around how her friend Mrs Fitzgerald who is a fortune teller helps her earn the place
and respect she deserves as the woman of the house.
 
About the Characters
Mrs. Fitzgerald: She is Mrs. Annie Pearson’s neighbour. She is quite strong-willed, knows
magic and helps Mrs. Annie Pearson to reform the spoilt members of Mrs. Annie Pearson’s
family.
Mrs. Annie Pearson: She is a pleasant but nervous type of woman whose excessive love and
care has spoilt her two children and husband.
Doris Pearson: She is Mrs. Annie Pearson’s daughter aged around twenty years. She fails to
understand her mother’s struggle and doesn’t help her in household work.
Cyril Pearson: He is Mrs. Annie Pearson’s son who is equally demanding and never
sympathizes with his mother.
Mr. George Pearson: He is Mrs. Annie Pearson’s proud husband who is not as respected in
society as expected. He dominates his wife, but he is ridiculed in the club where he is a member.

Gist of Mother’s Day

Introduction of Mrs. Annie Pearson and Mrs. Fitzgerald
Mrs. Annie Pearson and Mrs. Fitzgerald are next door neighbours. Apart from this, there is no
similarity between them. Annie is a pleasant and nervous looking woman in her forties.
Fitzgerald is older and heavier with a strong personality. Annie has a soft voice whereas Mrs.
Fitzgerald has a deep, throaty voice. Mrs Fitzgerald is a fortune-teller. She has learnt this art
from the East. She is reading Annie’s fortune. She advises Annie to be strict and become the
‘boss’ in her family. Actually, Annie is not treated well by her family. At present, Mrs. Annie
Pearson has been reduced to the status of an unpaid domestic servant, who does all the work at
home without even being requested for it or being thanked later on.

Mrs. Fitzgerald outlines the plan to reform Annie’s family

Mrs. Fitzgerald is very angry at the way Annie is treated like a servant by her family. One day,
she suggests that they should temporarily exchange their personalities by using a magic spell that
she had learnt in the East. She takes Annie’s hand and speaks some magic words. A
transformation takes place and the personality of Mrs. Fitzgerald shifts into the body of Annie
and vice-versa. Annie is scared, but Mrs. Fitzgerald assures her that the change is reversible.
Mrs. Fitzgerald, now in the body of Annie, stays at Annie’s house and sends Annie (in Mrs.-
Fitzgerald’s body) to her house where she can relax.

Doris gets a shock

Doris, the daughter of Mrs. Annie Pearson, a beautiful girl aged 20, enters the house. She gets
shocked at seeing her mother smoking and playing cards alone. Doris asks about her yellow
dress, but her mother does not respond. She asks for tea and her mother answers rudely, telling
her to iron her dress herself and make tea if she wants to. Doris gets angry, but gets a good
scolding from her mother. Then Annie makes fun of Doris’ boyfriend, Charlie Spence, for
having projecting teeth and being stupid. She tells Doris frankly that at her age she would have
found somebody better than Charlie Spence. This strange behaviour is too much for Doris and
she goes out of the room crying.
Cyril also gets a shock
Cyril, Annie’s son, enters the house and asks for tea in a demanding and angry manner. Annie
tells him that she has not bothered to get tea ready. Cyril asks her if everything is all right with
her. She replies that she has never felt better in her life. When Cyril enquires why she has not got
the tea ready, Annie replies that she wanted a change and that’s why she has not bothered to
make tea. Cyril announces that he is short of time, so she should get the tea ready immediately.
Cyril further enquires whether she has got his clothes ready. When she says no, he gets
anguished. He asks his mother what will happen if they all talked like she was talking that day.
Annie coldly replies that all three of them always talked to her like that, so what was wrong with
her talking in the same tone. She says that if he does not want to do anything at home, he doesn’t
have to. She adds that she has become a member of the Union so that she gets what she deserves.

The argument between Doris and Mrs. Annie Pearson

Doris appears on the scene wearing a shoulder wrap. Annie remarks sarcastically about her dress.
An argument starts between Doris and Annie. Doris comments that if she was looking awful, it
was due to her mother only, who made her cry. Then Annie enquires if any strong beer was left.
Cyril is shocked to know that his mother wants to drink it. He is unable to understand what is
going on.

Discussion starts between Doris and Cyril

Both Doris and Cyril are filled with horror and shock at their mother’s behaviour. Both wonder
what has happened to their mother suddenly. Doris thinks that she got hit on her head by
something. She says that the manner in which their mother spoke hurt her the most and made her
cry. Both start giggling at the thought of what will happen if their mother keeps behaving in this
weird manner in front of their father.

Annie’s remarks about her family

Annie remarks that it was high time they grew up. Doris then asked her if they had done
something wrong. Annie tells them that it is actually her children’s and her husband’s behaviour
that bothered her the most. They always came, asked for something and went without bothering
to know whether she wanted to go out or how she was feeling. She always does her best to keep
everybody happy but all three of them were not bothered about her. Annie also remarks that
while the three of them do a job of eight hours a day with two days off at the weekend, she goes
on working seven days round the clock. She warns them that on weekends, she will also going to
take two days off.

Mr. George Pearson is shocked at his wife’s behaviour

Mr. George Pearson now enters the house. He is about 50 years old and considers himself as a
very important person. He gets annoyed at his wife who is sipping beer when he enters. He tells
her that he does not want any tea as he has to go to the club for supper. The wife tells him that
she has not prepared any tea anyway. At this, George gets annoyed that his wife is not bothered
about him. Annie continues to rebuke him, telling him that he is not respected in the club where
He keeps going every day. She tells him that people at the bar in the club call him ‘Pompyompy
Pearson’ due to his self-important behaviour. George cannot believe what Annie says and
confirms the truth from his son, Cyril. Annie tells her son that sometimes it does people good to
have their feelings hurt. On hearing a knock, Cyril checks who it is and reports to Annie that it is
Mrs. Fitzgerald at the door. Annie tells him to let her come in.

The real Mrs Annie Pearson returns

Mrs. Fitzgerald (actually Mrs. Annie Pearson) enters and finds Doris in tears. Her family
continues to get a scolding in front of her also. Mrs. Annie Pearson (actually Mrs. Fitzgerald)
informs her that she was putting everyone in their place. When Mr. George Pearson shouts at his
wife, she threatens to slap his big, fat silly face.

Mrs. Annie Pearson and Mrs. Fitzgerald go back to their original personalities
The real Mrs. Annie Pearson (now Mrs. Fitzgerald) gets really disturbed and wants everyone to
leave as she wants to talk in private with Annie (the real Mrs. Fitzgerald). She tells Mrs.
Fitzgerald that it is enough. Let them change back and get into their true selves. Mrs. Fitzgerald
again speaks some magic words and they again get back to their own selves. Mrs. Fitzgerald says
that she enjoyed every moment in her changed personality. Annie remarks that she did not enjoy
this changeover. Mrs. Fitzgerald wants Annie not to be soft on her family. She wants her to
remain firm. Annie says that she will be able to manage her husband and children now. Mrs.
Fitzgerald warns her not to give any apology or explanation; otherwise they will again start
treating her indifferently. She must wear a tough look and talk to them rudely if she wanted them
to behave in the right manner. For a change, when Annie smiles, her family members smile back
and feel very relaxed. As they had cancelled their going out Annie feels that they all as a family
should play a game of rummy. She also asks her children to prepare supper for the family, for
which they readily agree. She also wants to have a talk with George, her husband, for which
everybody agrees. The play ends on a happy note where the children and husband are willing to
do whatever Mrs. Annie Pearson suggests.

Difficult Words
portrayal – depiction
living-room – drawing-room
suburb – outlying area of a city
muslin-covered – covered with a muslin curtain
settee – sofa
flurried – nervous and confused due to overwork
Cockney – style of speaking of people living in the East end of London
Irish – style of speaking of people living in Ireland
fortune teller – person claiming to have magic powers
out East – in the British colonies in Asia
Lieutenant Quartermaster – non-commissioned officer in British Army
put your foot down – be very strict
apologetically – as if feeling sorry
treating ’em like dirt – showing lack of respect
dubiously – in an unsure manner
unpleasantness – quarrelling
have it out – settle it finally
good gracious – an expression of surprise
embarrassed – feeling awkward
flustered – agitated
got the idea – understood me
gimme – give me
muttering – speaking in a low voice
go lax – looking like they are dead
puffing – smoking
complacently – feeling happy and satisfied
chuckling – laughing quietly
patience – a card game played by a single person
taken anything in – understood what is going on
astounded – surprised
fluttering – unsteady
square meal – full and satisfying meal
the Clarendon – name of a local restaurant
indignantly – with annoyance
rubbish – uselessly
be seen dead – like to be seen
buck teeth – upper set of teeth sticking out
half-witted – stupid
masculine counterpart – brother
off-colour – not feeling well
get cracking – work quickly
aggressively – forcefully
put my things out – lay out my clothes
staggered – shocked
laconic and sinister – briefly and meaningfully
wear that face – look so bad
Union – association of employees
bar – stop
movement – association of employees
never you mind – don’t bother
stout – strong beer
clot – idiot
in a huddle – come close together to talk
barmy – insane
fathead – idiot
concussion – serious injury to her head
far-fetched – unlikely
giggle – laugh in a silly manner
guffaw – laugh loudly
contempt – disgust
be your age – behave properly as per your age
do with – appreciate
a bit thick – unreasonable
airily – carelessly
aghast – horrified
passionately – with much emotion
blubbering – crying like a baby
solemn – formal and dignified
pompous – overbearing, self-important
bulge – stick out
fancied – feel a desire for
bewildered – confused, puzzled
distaste – dislike
aggrieved – feeling hurt
indignantly – in a displeased tone
standing jokes – permanent amusements
dazed – totally astonished
appealingly – urgently requesting
gloomily – sadly
greyhound races – races run by tall, slender dogs
dirt tracks – racing courses for motorcycles
ice shows – entertainment shows performed by ice skaters
sulkily – showing an irritated feeling
old bag – unpleasant elderly woman
smacking – bringing together with force so they make a sound
ushering – bringing
piecan – stupid person
severely – strictly
glowering – angry
putting ’em in their places – making them behave properly
doing ’em all a world of good – helping them to learn how to behave properly
eating out of your hand – completely under your control
glumly – sadly
crying her eyes out – crying uncontrollably
at sixes and sevens – in total confusion
bitterly – angrily
intimidated – frightened
taunting – teasing
tiddly – slightly drunk
in despair – hopelessly
a flash of temper – sudden anger
ticking her off – reprimanding her
’cos – because
go soft on – treat gently
spirit – enthusiasm
apprehensively – anxiously
rummy – a card game
cluster round – surround
Mother’s Day Theme
This humorous play portrays the status of a mother in the family. The author brings out the plight
of the mother very realistically in the play. Mrs. Annie Pearson, the mother, is not treated well by
her husband and children. With the help of her neighbour Mrs. Fitzgerald and a magic spell
which temporarily allows them to interchange their roles, she stands up for her rights. Mrs.
Annie Pearson’s family is shocked at the change, but they learn to behave properly with her so
that she gets the respect that she deserved.

Mother’s Day Title

The title of the play is quite appropriate. It sums up the theme of the play. It suggests that the
action of the play revolves round a mother. The playwright confronts us at the outset with the
problems the mother faces from her grown up children and their father. The novel technique
employed to tackle the spoilt children and the grown up man is quite amusing and thought
provoking. The bold and dominating mother acts tough with the children and makes them realize
the need of proper attention towards their mother. They are made to learn lesson in courtesy and
polite behaviour not only towards the mother but also towards the visiting neighbour. The
mother certainly has her day as the children learn to treat her properly. The supper being
prepared by the children, their stay at home and the family game of rummy is a rare gift that the
mother receives on this important day.

Mother’s Day Message

The play conveys the message that the woman in the house needs to be appreciated for all her
efforts in keeping the house and the family in order. Our mothers and wives work hard daily,
turning our houses into homes. They receive no wages, have no weekends off and work round
the clock.
QUESTION-ANSWERS

Short Answer Type Questions : 2 Marks (30-40 words)

Q-1 What was wrong in the Pearson family?

A-1 Annie Pearson’s family was an ideal one when observed from outside its fence but
essentially something was wrong inside. The life of the family, Annie Pearson, had reached an
alarming level of intolerance and impatience. She had her grunt unheard but wanted it heard by
all. She had been living like a slave in the family, doing work for her husband and children. She
wanted them to acknowledge her worth, at least recognize her presence in the family but she was
too scared.

Q-2 How was Annie Pearson responsible for her fate?

A-2 To a certain level, Annie Pearson was herself responsible for her fate. She was, besides the
other things, loving and caring. He loved and cared for her children and husband so much that
they failed to understand her value and worth. She had wished to correct them but for fear of
hurting them, she didn’t mention it.ed of speaking out lest a spark of ill feeling flew in the
family.

Q-3 Why didn’t Fitzgerald – as Doris’ mother – like her going out with Charlie Spence?

A-3 Fitzgerald was of the opinion that Charlie Spence was not a pence worth young man to go
out with. With buckteeth and half-witted, Spence was not the right man for a girl like Doris. She
was also of the opinion that it was wise to give a man like him and go for a sensible one.

Q-4 What, according to Doris, could be the reason for mother’s strange behaviour? Does
Cyril agree with her?

A-4 According to Doris, mother might have hit her head or something that could have been the
cause of her strange behaviour, Cyril agrees that mother’s behaviour was rather, odd but Doris’s
idea seems to him too far-fetched.

Q-5 What is odd, according to Mrs. Pearson, in the behaviour of George, when he is
annoyed with her for not getting his tea ready?

A-5 George tells Mrs. Pearson that he does not want any tea. When Mrs. Pearson tells him that
there is no tea ready for him he gets annoyed. She wonders why he is annoyed at not getting his
tea ready while he does not want it. This seems rather odd to her.

Reference to Context

1. “You all do talk like that. If there is something at home you don’t want to do, you don’t
do it. If it is something at your work, you get the union to bar it. Now all that happened
is that I have joined the movement.”

(a) Who are being referred to as you?

Doris and Cyril are directly being referred to as you in the context while Mr. George Pearson is
included in the list.

(b) What sort of talking do they all do?

They, Cyril, Doris and Mr. George talk heedlessly. They shout and give orders.

(c)What does the speaker mean by comparing the works at home and works at work places?
The speaker, Mrs. Fitzgerald in Mrs. Annie’s body, draws a stark contrast that exists between
concept of office work and home work. It is always like that –people take the works done by a
wife for granted while works duly salaried is considered to be work. The author’s voice sounds
criticism.

(d) What movement has the speaker joined?

The speaker, Mrs. Fitzgerarld, metaphorically says that she has joined the House Workers’
Union, though such a movement is unheard of. “Here, steady, Mrs. Pearson – if you had to live
my life, it wouldn’t be so bad. You would have more fun as me than as you have had as you.”

2. “Here, steady, Mrs. Pearson – if you had to live my life, it wouldn’t be so bad. You would
have more fun as me than as you have had as you.”

(a) What is still unsteady about Mrs. Pearson?

After the magical possession of Mrs. Fitzgerald’s body, Mrs. Pearson was still uncertain about
her future. She was worried about the drastic change that her children would be facing that day
when they would mistake Mrs. Fitzgerald for her.

(b) What is the essential sarcasm in Mrs. Fitzgerald’s tone?

Mrs. Fitzgerald is sarcastic about Annie’s helplessness. She taunts Annie saying that her life
hadn’t been worth living for some time since she shouldered a burden rather than a family.

Long Answer Type Questions : 5 Marks (120 – 150 Words)

Q-1 Give a brief character-sketch of Mrs. Fitzgerald.
A-1 Mrs. Fitzgerald is Mrs. Pearson’s neighbour. She is a strong-minded woman. She has a
dominating nature. She believes in equal rights with men. She believes that women have the
liberty to do anything that men do. Mrs. Fitzgerald feels strongly that the woman should be the
mistress of her own house. Mrs. Fitzgerald is very intelligent also. She knows how to cure people
of their waywardness. She handles Doris, Cyril and George very intelligently. She gives each of
them a good pounding. She puts them in their proper places. She makes them realise that a
mother and a wife is also a human being. Thus she helps Mrs. Pearson to rein in her husband and
children.
Q-2 How does Mrs Pearson deal with her husband in her new personality?
A -2 In her altogether new personality, Mrs. Pearson pokes fun at her husband. She tells George
that his friends at the club laugh at him. He has never been a perfect husband, as he leaves his
wife alone at home to do household chores. She checks George when he speaks disrespectfully to
Mrs. Fitzgerald.
Mrs. Pearson warns her husband not to misbehave with Mrs. Fitzgerald and says that she would
slap him in front of Mrs. Fitzgerald. On seeing such an unexpected bold behaviour, George gets
completely shocked and baffled. On seeing his own daughter, Doris weeping, George couldn’t
help her, He feels too helpless and nervous to speak up. George stares at his wife in
bewilderment. He finally gives up and moves out of the room.
ASSIGNMENT:
RTC
1. It is not I who is being silly – and I must say it is a bit much when I have been working
hard all day and you can’t even bother to get my tea ready. Did you hear what I have said
about my yellow silk?”
(a) Why does Doris think that her mother is being silly?
(b) Why didn’t Annie Pearson get tea ready for Doris?
(c) What for had Doris asked her mother to keep her yellow silk ready?
Short Answer Type Questions
1. How does the end of the play justify the title?
2. Mrs. Pearson is sick of being ordered about by her family. Why is she so hesitant to put her
foot down?
3. What were the immediate effects of the magic spell?
4. Mention three things in the behaviour of mother that astonish Doris Pearson.
5. What is mother’s future plan as revealed to Doris?
Long Answer Type Question
1. Bring out the humour of the play.
2. How did Mrs. Fitzgerald help Mrs. Pearson to be the boss of her family?