MOTHER”S DAY
Short Answer Questions :
1. According to Mrs.Fitzgerald, why does ‘being spoilt’ not benefit anyone ?
2. Why was Mrs.Pearson unable to be strict with her family ?
3. What was Mrs.Fitzgerald’s idea to solve Mrs.Pearson’s problems?
4. What did Doris expect her mother to do for her ? How did ‘Mrs.Pearson’ react to
her demands ?
5. What does Mrs.Fitzgerald (in the guise of Mrs.Pearson) think of Charlie Spence ?
6. What did Cyril expect his mother to do for him ? How did ‘Mrs.Pearson” react to
his demands?
7. ‘Now all that’s happened is that I’ve joined the movement’. Which movement is
this ? Why does the speaker want to join this movement ?
8. What could be the possible reason for the changed behaviour of their mother,
according to Doris and Cyril ?
9. Why is George Pearson annoyed with his wife when he comes home ?
10. What unpleasant truth does George get to know from ‘Mrs.Pearson’ ?
11. ‘That’s enough- quite enough.’ Why does the speaker say these words ?
12. What are the final pieces of advice that Mrs.Fitzgerald gives Mrs.Pearson before
leaving ?
13. At the end of the play, how can we make out that the Pearsons have all changed
in their behaviour ?
14. Briefly describe the character of Doris / Cyril / George Pearson .
Long Answer Questions :
1. Compare and contrast the characters of Mrs.Fitzgerald and Mrs.Pearson.
Ans. Mrs.Pearson - docile, soft-natured, could not be strict with her family , preferred
to avoid unpleasantness and confrontation, felt hurt at her family’s behaviour but never
protested
Mrs.Fitzgerald - strong personality, bold, confident - could not tolerate the injustice
faced by Mrs.Pearson - decided to intervene to help Mrs.Pearson
2. Elaborate on ‘Mrs.Pearson’s’ changed behaviour with her family members after
the swap of personalities.
● Mrs.Fitzgerald took place of Mrs.Pearson - did what she pleased (smoking,
drinking stout )
● refused to oblige the Pearsons the way the real Mrs.Pearson did
● did not do what Doris, Cyril, George Pearson expected of her ( give examples)
● behaved in a dominating , authoritative manner
● pointed out their faults, scolded them
● was even quite cruel to them ( her opinion of Charlie Spence, telling George
about his reputation at the club)
● freely expressed her opinions or causes of dissatisfaction
● her family members taken by surprise
● are forced to see her point of view and understand how they disregarded her
wishes
3. How did Mrs.Fitzgerald in the guise of Mrs.Pearson reform the Pearson family ?
Refer to Q 2
4. Justify the title of the play ‘Mother’s Day’.
● Day in honour of all mothers - to remind us of her importance in the home
- mothers are often taken for granted, treated with indifference even
though the family is heavily dependent on her - observed on second
Sunday of May
● Mrs.Pearson - undervalued, disrespected, taken for granted
● Her true importance in the home is shown by Mrs.Fitzgerald
● Through Mrs.Fitzgerald’s tough behaviour - family is reformed
● Mrs.Pearson’s status in the family is restored
● The day depicted in the play is a true Mother’s Day for Mrs.Pearson
● Ideally, every day should be observed as Mother’s Day
● Title - appropriate
5. Do you think Mrs.Pearson is partly responsible for spoiling her family and making
them selfish ? Explain why you think so.
YES
● Mrs.Pearson - softnatured, was never strict with her family, allowed
herself to be exploited
● Spoilt her family - indulged them
● Tolerated their misbehaviour even though she felt hurt
● A mother should guide and discipline her children
NO
■ Cyril, Doris are grownups - should have a sense of right and wrong
■ Should have known they were doing wrong in disrespecting and
exploiting their mother
■ George - as a father, should have disciplined and guided his
children
■ George - as a husband, should have valued and supported his wife
6. Mrs.Fitzgerald was rather rough and cruel towards the Pearson family in her
attempt to reform them. Do you support her approach ? Why/why not ?
YES,I support.
● Selfish and badly behaved Pearsons - deserved rough treatment
● Had to be harsh to reform them in a short period of time
NO, I don’t support.
● She insulted them, was unnecessarily cruel ( with Doris and George )
● Criticising them, shouting at Mr.Pearson in front of the neighbour - not
acceptable
● Firmness combined with politeness - a better alternative
#####################
