ANNIE BESANT SCHOOL, INDORE

Session: 2023-24
Class –XI
Subject – English Core
Mother’s Day
Notes

Q.1 Describe how Mrs. Pearson is treated by her own children and husband before they are set
right by her.
Ans. Mrs. Pearson represent millions of mothers who are made to work like servants in their
own houses. Their husbands and children enjoy themselves and have nice time outside. Only
they doomed to drudgery. Mrs. Pearsons made to run after
Her husband George and Children Doris and Cyril. She takes their order as they are the masters
of the family and she is their attendant. While they enjoy themselves outside, she stays at home
every-night. Mrs. Pearson’s daughter, Doris is a pretty but spoiled girl, she is in her early 20’s.
She has to go out tonight. She asked her mother to iron her yellow silk. She expects her mother
to do all such things without questioning her then, she orders for tea. It must be kept ready. She
thinks except having nice time and fun with her boyfriend Charlie Spence. Cyril is Mrs.
Pearson’s son. He is the masculine counterpart of Doris. He has to stay outside late night. He
asked if his mother has put his things out. The poor mother runs all the time, putting his things
out or mending them. George, Mrs. Pearson’s husband spends most of his time at the night club.
The people at the club call him Pompy-ompy Pearson because he is slow and pompous. Mr.
Pearson expects his wife to keep tea ready even though he doesn’t need it. He suffers from
inflated male ego.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Pearson works like a servant in her own family. She gets no wages for her
work nor does anybody thanks for her services. She is taken for granted by her children as well
as her husband.

Q.2 Compare and contrast Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. Fitzgerald?

Ans. Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. Fitzgerald are two contrasting character . Actually, they are foiled
to each other. Mrs. Pearson is a pleasant looking women in her forties. She appears to be
confused and worried. Mrs. Fitzgerald is older. She is heavier and has a strong and sinister
personality. Mrs. Pearson is timid and gentle. Mrs. Fitzgerald is liberated and bold. She smokes
and play with cards. The two ladies have sharply contrasting voices. Mrs. Pearson speaks in a
light flurried sought of tone. She has a “ A touch of suburban cockney”. Mrs. Fitzgerald has a
deep voice her accent is irish.
Mrs. Pearson has been reduce to a servant in her house. Her children and husband make her fun
all the time. She has to dance to their back and call. Her children Doris and Cyril are spoiled
children. They are also selfish and thoughtless. She doesn’t pay respect to their mother. Which
she really deserve. Mr. George also treat his wife rather differently and coldly. Mrs. Pearson is
condemned to burglary. Mrs. Fitzgerald on the other hand, is liberated women. She is bold and
dominating. She enjoys good time and is the mistress of herself and the family.
Mrs. Pearson is mild. When Mrs. Fitzgerald gives a heavy dose to Doris, Cyril and George, she
can’t bear it. She ask her to stop the drama at once. She forced her to change back their
personalities. Mrs. Fitzgerald is firm, solid and result oriented. She sets all the spoiled members
of Mrs. Pearson’s family night. She is better judge of men and matters then Mrs. Pearson.
Q.3 What problem does Mrs. Pearson face? Who do you think is responsible for these state of
affairs?
Ans. Mrs. Pearson devotes all her time and energy to serve her husband, son and daughter. These
thoughtless and selfish person go out every night to enjoy themselves. Leaving Mrs. Pearson
alone at home. She is no better than a servant in her own home. Mrs. Pearson herself is
responsible for the ill treatment, neglect and lack of concern show to her.

Q.4 Describe Mrs. Fitzgerald. How does she help her neighbor Mrs. Pearson to make her the
mistress and boss of the family?
Ans. Mrs. Fitzgerald is a neighbor of Mrs. Pearson. She is fortune teller. She learned her art
form from the East where her husband had served in the army. She alsi knows the art of magic.
She knows the trick of causing personalities change bodies. Actually Mrs. Fitzgerald presents a
sharp contrast to Mrs. Pearson. She is bold and dominating while her neighbor is meak and
weak.
Mrs. Fitzgerald knows that Mrs. Pearson is very fond of her children and husband. But they are
very thoughtless and selfish. Mrs. Pearson runs after them all the time. She takes their orders as
if she were the servant in the house. She wants to help Mrs. Pearson. She wants to make her the
mistress of her own house and the boss of her family. After the spell is broken the personalities
change bodies and dominating. She starts smoking and drinking.
The spoiled children are shocked and shocked and surprised to see the sudden change in their
mother. Mrs. Pearson takes her daughter, Doris scolds her to do her work herself. Doris asked
her yellow silk to be ironed and orders for tea. Mrs. Pearson refuses to oblige the girl. She also
tont her for choosing a worthless boyfriend. Cyril, the son also meet the same fate. So does Mr.
George. She reminds them that all will have a forty hour week. She will be free at the weekend.
She will not do any extra work. She does not get nay wages or thanks for it. The dose given by
this is Fitzgerald to the spoiled children and George brings result. When Mrs. Pearson comes to
her real self. Everybody obeys her. All fall in line to support and follow her.

Q.5 Write a note on the title of the play ‘Mother day’?

Ans. 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 around the mother. The play write confronts us at the outside
with the problems the mother faces from her grown up children and their father. The noble
techniques employed to tackle the spoiled children and grownup 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 in
courtesy and polite behaviour not only toward mother but also towards the visiting neighbor.
The mother certainly has her day as the children learn to treat her properly. The supper is 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.

Q.6 The shock treatment makes the heartless and selfish person realize the real position of the
lady of the house. How far do you agree with the statement. Give reason for your answer.
Ans. I fully agree with the statement drastic situation need drastic remedies. The thoughtless,
selfish and spoiled member of the Pearson family do not understand the language of love and
affection. Mrs. Pearson with Mrs. Fitzgerald’s bold and dominating personality and her
toughness make them realize their own state. Doris is the first to learn her lesson in civility and
politeness. The criticism of her boyfriend seems quite unexpected to her. Perhaps, more than the
none compliance of her orders to ironing yellow silk dress. Doris has tearful eyes. Cyril has also
told to help himself. The mother declaration that she too will henceforth work forty hours a
week, have the weekend off and goes somewhere to enjoy herself came as a shock treatment.
The balloon of her husband ego is punctured by disclosing to him. How people at the club make
fun of hi in the end all the three members come around and show their willingness to obey the
mother’s command.

Q.7 What do you think that the theme of the play is?
Ans. 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 due to her. Her leniency and eagerness to please everyone
reduces her to the rank of an unpaid domestic servant in her own house. Instead of being politely
requested for a favour she is ordered to do it. She gets no thanks in return.

The theme is worked out by portrait of the Pearson family. Mrs. Pearson is a harassed mother.
Her daughter Doris , Son Cyril and husband George take her services for granted and have
become thoughtless and selfish. The interchange of personality and hares treatment meted out
to them by the personality of Mrs. Fitzgerald reforms them and they obey the mother willingly.

Q.8 What impression do you form of Mrs. Annie Pearson?

Ans. Mrs. Pearson is the main character in the play ‘Mother Day’ she is a pleasant but worried
looking women in her forties. She speaks in a light, flurried sort of tone ,with a touch of suburban
crockery. She loves her husband and children very much and runs after them all the time. Her
excessive love and care have spoiled them and they have become thoughtless and selfish. She
feels neglected and lonely but lacks courage to discuss things with them. Perhaps he has any
unpleasantness as well. She is not willing to act as a tough mom as she is nervous and fluttering
by nature. She is so tender hearted that she is shocked to see the rough treatment meted out to
her children. She decides to change back to her original personality to deal with her family
herself. She is indeed loving and affectionate mother and a devote wife.