Mother’s Day – Questions & Answers

Very Short Answer Questions (1–2 lines each)

1. Who is the central character of the play?
   Ans. Mrs. Pearson, a housewife.
2. Who is Mrs. Fitzgerald?
   Ans. Mrs. Pearson’s neighbour, a strong-willed fortune-teller.
3. What problem does Mrs. Pearson face?
   Ans. Her husband and children take her for granted and never respect her.
4. What solution does Mrs. Fitzgerald suggest?
   Ans. To exchange personalities with Mrs. Pearson to teach her family a lesson.
5. What happens when Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. Fitzgerald exchange personalities?
   Ans. Mrs. Pearson becomes bold and assertive, while Mrs. Fitzgerald takes her place temporarily.
6. How does George Pearson, the husband, usually behave?
   Ans. He spends time at the club, ignoring his wife and family duties.
7. How do Doris and Cyril treat their mother?
   Ans. They order her around and expect her to serve them without gratitude.
8. What shocks the family when Mrs. Pearson changes?
   Ans. Her new confidence, blunt remarks, and refusal to obey their demands.
9. What lesson do George, Doris, and Cyril learn?
   Ans. That they must value and respect Mrs. Pearson’s efforts.
10. What message does the play convey?
    Ans. Women deserve respect and recognition within the family, not neglect or exploitation.

Short Answer Questions (30–50 words each)

1. Why was Mrs. Pearson unhappy with her family?
   Ans. She felt ignored and unappreciated. Her husband spent evenings at the club, while her children, Doris and Cyril, treated her like a servant, demanding tasks without showing respect or care.
2. How did Mrs. Fitzgerald help Mrs. Pearson?
   Ans. Mrs. Fitzgerald advised her to be firm and suggested they exchange personalities. After the switch, Mrs. Pearson became confident and confronted her family about their selfish behaviour.
3. How did Doris react to the new behaviour of her mother?
   Ans. Doris was shocked when her mother refused to iron her dress and scolded her for being inconsiderate. She was taken aback by her mother’s boldness and could not believe the sudden change.
4. What did Mrs. Pearson say to George about his club visits?
   Ans. She bluntly told George that people at the club laughed at him behind his back and considered him boring, which deeply embarrassed him.
5. How did the play end?
   Ans. The family members realised their mistakes and agreed to change. They decided to stay at home with Mrs. Pearson, treating her with love and respect.

Long Answer Questions (120–150 words each)

1. Discuss the transformation in Mrs. Pearson’s character after the personality exchange.
   Ans. At the beginning, Mrs. Pearson is timid, submissive, and exploited by her family. She silently fulfils her duties without receiving appreciation. After exchanging personalities with Mrs. Fitzgerald, she becomes confident, outspoken, and bold. She refuses to serve her children at their command, criticises George for wasting time at the club, and makes each family member realise how selfish they have been. This transformation shocks the family but also forces them to reflect. By the end, they learn to respect her as an equal, not as a servant. The transformation highlights that women must assert themselves to gain dignity within their families.
2. What social message does J.B. Priestley convey through “Mother’s Day”?
   Ans. The play criticises gender inequality within families, where women are often overburdened with work and denied respect. Mrs. Pearson’s family takes her for granted until she asserts herself. Priestley uses humour and satire to show how blind obedience damages women’s self-worth. The message is clear: wives and mothers deserve love, recognition, and equality. The story urges society to value women’s roles and responsibilities instead of treating them as unpaid servants. By portraying Mrs. Pearson’s boldness, the play inspires women to stand up for their dignity and teaches families the importance of respect and cooperation.