Class Notes of Chapter 5: Mother's Day
Class 11th English
Mother's Day - J.B. Priestley
Topics:
- Summary
- Important Questions
Summary
This chapter is based on a practical experience of a mother, Mrs. Pearson, who is both ignored and snubbed by her own kids on daily basis. She is treated as if she were a slave in her own home. Therefore, she has to feel a lot of ignorance and embarrassment every day not only from her son Cyril and daughter Doris but also from her husband George Pearson who has completely turned a blind eye from his middle-aged wife.
Her life takes a turn when she meets Mrs. Fitzgerald, a fortune teller, and discusses her family members and their atrocious behavior. Mrs. Pearson narrates her each and everything from the scratch about her kids and their behavior. Mrs. Fitzgerald, who is a very strong and sinister personality, advises her to exchange their personalities so as to teach a good lesson to her kids as well as her husband. At first, Mrs. Pearson hesitates a bit to do so as she loves her family a lot and can’t see them being insulted by Mrs. Fitzgerald, but when the latter encourages her and makes her realize the pains she bears due to her family members, she soon agrees to swap her personality with the personality of Mrs. Fitzgerald.
Now, Mrs. Fitzgerald casts a spell and with that, she swaps her personality with Mrs. Pearson in a matter of seconds. Now, the scene changes, Mrs. Pearson appears to be smoking and drinking who was earlier sitting idle and peacefully whereas Mrs. Fitzgerald appears to be very calm and composed who was earlier smoking, drinking, and playing cards. Mrs. Fitzgerald advises Mrs. Pearson not to tell anything about what has happened with them and to watch the game intently.
When Doris (her daughter) enters the home, she orders her mother to iron her yellow dress stating that she has to go on a date with her boyfriend Charlie Spence. She even objects to her mother’s smoking when she sees her doing so. On asking, Mrs. Pearson replies very severely and advises her to do her works herself. Besides, Mrs. Pearson makes fun of her boyfriend Charlie Spence calling him half-witted and buck teeth. Doris feels dejected and humiliated and starts crying when insulted and rebuked by her mother.
When Cyril (her son) enters, he asks his mother briskly if his tea is ready. Mrs. Pearson refuses and advises him to prepare himself if he wants to have. Seeing the reaction of his mother & crying of his sister, he raises his voice but nipped in the bud. Mrs. Pearson also advises him to mind his language when he calls Mrs. Fitzgerald an old fat bag. He is absolutely shocked to see the reaction of his mother when she asks for some stout if any left at home.
When Doris and Cyril talk about their being tired after working for a long time, she makes it very clear to both of them that they all will work equally from that day onwards i.e. 8 hours a day. She also talks about her being free and stresses free at weekends. She adds that she will not work at weekends and enjoy with her friends on Saturdays and Sundays.
Then enters Mr. George Pearson, who does not want to have his tea that day as he a party at a snooker club, he also expresses his astonishment on seeing his wife smoking and drinking. When he objects, Mrs. Pearson makes him realize that if he can drink she too can. She even tells him that how people make fun of him at the club which disturbs him out and out. Mr. George Pearson regrets his mistake of leaving his wife alone at home and spending the time with the people who are dual and who make fun of him at his back.
Seeing her family members’ insult, Mrs. Pearson asks Mrs. Fitzgerald to stop all that drama at once but Mrs. Fitzgerald does not let her speak till she teaches all of them a good lesson of respecting and honoring their mother. Soon, they both swap their personality again. Now the daughter, the son and the husband get to learn a lesson and start supporting their mother and wife. Moreover, they start respecting the emotions and sentiments of their mother. They decide that they will not go out to parties or to meet anyone but to spend quality time with their mother who has sacrificed her everything for the sake of her kids.
Important Questions
Q. What was wrong in the Pearson family?
A. 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 of speaking out lest a spark of ill feeling flew in the family.
Q. What went well in the Pearson family?
A. When observed from outside, Annie Pearson’s family was an ideal one. The center of the family was a silent mother and wife so everything turned and moved silently. Her husband and children were free to live their lives unquestioned and they enjoyed a business class life, half spent at workplaces and half spent with society. They got their food prepared and served in time and got their clothes washed, mended and ironed by someone who never complained.
Q. Why is Mrs. Fitzgerald insisting upon Mrs. Pearson’s being the boss of her family?
A. Because Mrs. Pearson’s husband and children considered her as a housemaid rather than a loving and caring mother and wife. They demanded everything from her, ordered her to make tea to Tiffin and never thought of her pleasure and liking. They thought that it was her duty to work for them while they never considered her work as work.
Q. How was Annie Pearson responsible for her fate?
A. 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.
Q. How did Doris and Cyril consider their mother?
A. Both Doris and Cyril are employed so they are aware of the workload issues yet they had never got time to consider doing work. They took her for granted. They learned what their mother had wanted them to learn. Though their mother worked harder and longer, without a word of appreciation or salary, they could not see the essential worth and hardship of the works she did.
Q. What was Mrs. Fitzgerald’s unusual idea for helping Annie out?
A. Mrs. Fitzgerald suggested equipping Annie with a bolder and stricter personality by means of magic. She offered to infuse her character into Annie in exchange for the latter’s weak character. By doing this, Mrs. Fitzgerald hoped to bring Annie’s family to encounter a change in the family system.
What were the immediate effects of the magic spell? Mrs. Fitzgerald’s magic had far and near repercussions. When it was spelled, the two women stirred out of their selves and transformed into contrasting characters. Annie became the bold Fitzgerald and vice-versa. With the change of character, they also got additional features such as sound and movement.
Q. Why didn’t Fitzgerald – as Doris’ mother – like her going out with Charlie Spence?
A. 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. Do you agree that Doris and Cyril’s behavior with their mother was extremely rude and unheard of?
A. There have never been a son and daughter in stories or in real life who were as aggressive with their mother as Doris and Cyril had been. Their asking “is tea ready” and “you are going to iron it for me” are rude and out of the ordinary. When they are informed that tea was not ready and the dress was not ironed, their responses are equally unexpected. They talk like tyrants ordering to their slaves.
Q.What was wrong in Pearson's Family?
A. 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 of speaking out lest a spark of ill feeling flew in the family.
Q. What went well in Pearson's family?
A. When observed from outside, Annie Pearson’s family was an ideal one. The center of the family was a silent mother and wife so everything turned and moved silently. Her husband and children were free to live their lives unquestioned and they enjoyed a business class life, half spent at workplaces and half spent with society. They got their food prepared and served in time and got their clothes washed, mended and ironed by someone who never complained.
Q. Why is Mrs. Fitzgerald insisting upon Mrs. Pearson's being the boss of her family?
A. Because Mrs. Pearson’s husband and children considered her as a housemaid rather than a loving and caring mother and wife. They demanded everything from her, ordered her to make tea to Tiffin and never thought of her pleasure and liking. They thought that it was her duty to work for them while they never considered her work as work.
Q. How was Annie Pearson responsible for her fate?
A. 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.
Q. How did Doris and Cyril consider their mother?
A. Both Doris and Cyril are employed so they are aware of the workload issues yet they had never got time to consider doing work. They took her for granted. They learned what their mother had wanted them to learn. Though their mother worked harder and longer, without a word of appreciation or salary, they could not see the essential worth and hardship of the works she did.
Q. What was Mrs. Fitzgerald’s unusual idea for helping Annie out?
A.Mrs. Fitzgerald suggested equipping Annie with a bolder and stricter personality by means of magic. She offered to infuse her character into Annie in exchange for the latter’s weak character. By doing this, Mrs. Fitzgerald hoped to bring Annie’s family to encounter a change in the family system.
Q. What was the immediate effect of the magic spells?
A. Mrs. Fitzgerald’s magic had far and near repercussions. When it was spelled, the two women stirred out of their selves and transformed into contrasting characters. Annie became the bold Fitzgerald and vice-versa. With the change of character, they also got additional features such as sound and movement.
Q. Why didn't Fitzgerald – as Dori's Mother – like her going out with Charlie Spence?
A. 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. Do you agree that Doris and Cyril’s Behaviour with their mother was extremely rude and unheard of?
A. There have never been a son and daughter in stories or in real life who were as aggressive with their mother as Doris and Cyril had been. Their asking “is tea ready” and “you are going to iron it for me” are rude and out of the ordinary. When they are informed that tea was not ready and the dress was not ironed, their responses are equally unexpected. They talk like tyrants ordering to their slaves.
A. 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.
Q. How did Doris and Cyril consider their mother?
A. Both Doris and Cyril are employed so they are aware of the workload issues yet they had never got time to consider doing work. They took her for granted. They learned what their mother had wanted them to learn. Though their mother worked harder and longer, without a word of appreciation or salary, they could not see the essential worth and hardship of the works she did.
Q. What was Mrs. Fitzgerald’s unusual idea for helping Annie out?
A. Mrs. Fitzgerald suggested equipping Annie with a bolder and stricter personality by means of magic. She offered to infuse her character into Annie in exchange for the latter’s weak character. By doing this, Mrs. Fitzgerald hoped to bring Annie’s family to encounter a change in the family system.
What were the immediate effects of the magic spell? Mrs. Fitzgerald’s magic had far and near repercussions. When it was spelled, the two women stirred out of their selves and transformed into contrasting characters. Annie became the bold Fitzgerald and vice-versa. With the change of character, they also got additional features such as sound and movement.
Q. Why didn’t Fitzgerald – as Doris’ mother – like her going out with Charlie Spence?
A. 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. Do you agree that Doris and Cyril’s behavior with their mother was extremely rude and unheard of?
A. There have never been a son and daughter in stories or in real life who were as aggressive with their mother as Doris and Cyril had been. Their asking “is tea ready” and “you are going to iron it for me” are rude and out of the ordinary. When they are informed that tea was not ready and the dress was not ironed, their responses are equally unexpected. They talk like tyrants ordering to their slaves.
Q.What was wrong in Pearson's Family?
A. 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 of speaking out lest a spark of ill feeling flew in the family.
Q. What went well in Pearson's family?
A. When observed from outside, Annie Pearson’s family was an ideal one. The center of the family was a silent mother and wife so everything turned and moved silently. Her husband and children were free to live their lives unquestioned and they enjoyed a business class life, half spent at workplaces and half spent with society. They got their food prepared and served in time and got their clothes washed, mended and ironed by someone who never complained.
Q. Why is Mrs. Fitzgerald insisting upon Mrs. Pearson's being the boss of her family?
A. Because Mrs. Pearson’s husband and children considered her as a housemaid rather than a loving and caring mother and wife. They demanded everything from her, ordered her to make tea to Tiffin and never thought of her pleasure and liking. They thought that it was her duty to work for them while they never considered her work as work.
Q. How was Annie Pearson responsible for her fate?
A. 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.
Q. How did Doris and Cyril consider their mother?
A. Both Doris and Cyril are employed so they are aware of the workload issues yet they had never got time to consider doing work. They took her for granted. They learned what their mother had wanted them to learn. Though their mother worked harder and longer, without a word of appreciation or salary, they could not see the essential worth and hardship of the works she did.
Q. What was Mrs. Fitzgerald’s unusual idea for helping Annie out?
A.Mrs. Fitzgerald suggested equipping Annie with a bolder and stricter personality by means of magic. She offered to infuse her character into Annie in exchange for the latter’s weak character. By doing this, Mrs. Fitzgerald hoped to bring Annie’s family to encounter a change in the family system.
Q. What was the immediate effect of the magic spells?
A. Mrs. Fitzgerald’s magic had far and near repercussions. When it was spelled, the two women stirred out of their selves and transformed into contrasting characters. Annie became the bold Fitzgerald and vice-versa. With the change of character, they also got additional features such as sound and movement.
Q. Why didn't Fitzgerald – as Dori's Mother – like her going out with Charlie Spence?
A. 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. Do you agree that Doris and Cyril’s Behaviour with their mother was extremely rude and unheard of?
A. There have never been a son and daughter in stories or in real life who were as aggressive with their mother as Doris and Cyril had been. Their asking “is tea ready” and “you are going to iron it for me” are rude and out of the ordinary. When they are informed that tea was not ready and the dress was not ironed, their responses are equally unexpected. They talk like tyrants ordering to their slaves.
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