Class 11 English Notes Chapter 5 (Mother’s Day) – Snapshots Suppl. Reader English Book

Alright class, let's turn our attention to J.B. Priestley's humorous yet thought-provoking play, "Mother's Day," from our Snapshots reader. This is an important chapter, not just for its story, but for the social commentary it offers, which often finds relevance in exam questions.

Chapter 5: Mother's Day by J.B. Priestley - Detailed Notes for Exam Preparation

1. Introduction & Context:

• Author: J.B. Priestley, a renowned English novelist, playwright, and broadcaster known for his social commentary.
• Genre: A one-act satirical play, employing humour to critique family dynamics and societal expectations.
• Setting: The living room of the Pearson family's suburban home. The time is the present (relative to when it was written, but the themes remain relevant).
• Core Issue: The play highlights the thankless and unappreciated role of a mother/housewife within a typical family structure where she is taken for granted by her husband and children.

2. Characters:

• Mrs. Annie Pearson:
  • The protagonist. Initially depicted as a timid, submissive, worried, and overworked mother in her forties.
  • She dedicates all her time and energy to catering to the whims of her family, receiving no appreciation or respect in return.
  • Her kindness is mistaken for weakness, making her the family's unpaid servant.
  • Represents the stereotypical, downtrodden housewife of the era.
• Mrs. Fitzgerald:
  • The Pearsons' neighbour. Contrasting personality to Mrs. Pearson – older, heavier, strong, assertive, confident, and unconventional.
  • Smokes, drinks stout, plays cards (patience), and tells fortunes – habits that symbolise her independence and non-conformity.
  • Acts as the catalyst for change. She possesses knowledge of magic/spells ("learnt it out East") which enables the personality swap.
  • Represents female empowerment and the need for assertiveness.
• George Pearson:
  • Mrs. Pearson's husband. Around fifty, fundamentally decent but appears solemn, self-important, pompous, and neglectful.
  • Takes his wife completely for granted. Spends evenings at the club, unaware or dismissive of his wife's needs and feelings.
  • Represents the complacent, unaware patriarch. He is mocked at the club ("Pompy-ompy Pearson") but is unaware of it.
• Doris Pearson:
  • The Pearsons' daughter, early twenties. Pretty but spoiled, superficial, and thoughtless.
  • Treats her mother like a servant, expecting her clothes to be ironed and tea ready on demand.
  • Represents the self-absorbed younger generation, lacking empathy for their mother.
• Cyril Pearson:
  • The Pearsons' son, likely late teens/early twenties (masculine counterpart of Doris).
  • Equally spoiled, demanding, and inconsiderate. Expects meals and errands done without question.
  • Represents the entitled male youth within the family structure.

3. Plot Summary:

• The Problem: The play opens with Mrs. Pearson confiding in Mrs. Fitzgerald about her unhappiness and how her family disrespects and orders her around.
• The Solution Proposed: Mrs. Fitzgerald, indignant on Mrs. Pearson's behalf, suggests they temporarily exchange personalities (bodies) using a magic spell she learned. The timid Mrs. Pearson is hesitant but eventually agrees.
• The Swap: They hold hands, mutter the incantation ("Arshtat, dum, arshtat lam..."), and their personalities swap. Now, Mrs. Fitzgerald's strong personality is in Mrs. Pearson's body, and vice-versa.
• The Confrontation:
  • Doris Enters: She demands her yellow silk dress be ironed for a date with Charlie Spence. The "new" Mrs. Pearson (Fitzgerald's spirit) refuses curtly, criticises Charlie, smokes, and shocks Doris with her bluntness and changed demeanour.
  • Cyril Enters: He demands tea and asks if his clothes are mended. He too is shocked by his mother's smoking, drinking stout, refusal to cater to him, and sharp tongue. He learns his mother might take the weekends off.
  • George Enters: He is aghast to find his wife drinking and refusing to make tea. He demands to know what's going on. The "new" Mrs. Pearson mocks his self-importance, reveals that people at the club laugh at him, calling him "Pompy-ompy Pearson," and refuses to be ordered around.
• The Real Mrs. Pearson's Distress: The real Mrs. Pearson (in Mrs. Fitzgerald's body) returns and is horrified by the harsh treatment her family is receiving, pleading with Mrs. Fitzgerald (in her body) to stop.
• The Resolution (Partial): Mrs. Fitzgerald (in Mrs. Pearson's body) asserts that the harshness was necessary to make the family realise their mistakes. She agrees to swap back but warns the real Mrs. Pearson not to go soft on them immediately.
• The Swap Back: They perform the spell again and return to their original bodies.
• The New Order: Mrs. Fitzgerald leaves after advising Mrs. Pearson to remain firm. The chastened family (Doris, Cyril, George) tentatively asks Mrs. Pearson if they can have a family game of rummy and if she'd like them to prepare supper. Mrs. Pearson smiles and agrees, suggesting they treat her properly. The ending is hopeful but leaves a question mark about whether the change will be permanent.

4. Themes:

• Status of Women/Mothers in the Family: The central theme. It critiques the patriarchal setup where the mother's work is invisible, unpaid, and unappreciated.
• Assertiveness vs. Submissiveness: Contrasts Mrs. Pearson's initial timidity with Mrs. Fitzgerald's boldness, arguing for the necessity of standing up for oneself.
• Respect and Appreciation: Highlights the need for family members to respect each other and appreciate the efforts made, especially by the homemaker.
• Appearance vs. Reality: The body swap itself plays on this theme. The family reacts to the appearance (their mother's body) but the reality (Mrs. Fitzgerald's personality) is what forces the change. Also seen in George's unawareness of his real reputation at the club.
• Satire on Family Life: Priestley uses humour and exaggeration to satirize the common dynamics within many middle-class families – selfishness, lack of communication, taking each other for granted.
• Individuality and Freedom: Mrs. Fitzgerald embodies a sense of freedom (smoking, drinking, fortune-telling) that Mrs. Pearson lacks, suggesting that women should retain their individuality within the family.

5. Tone and Style:

• Humorous and Light: Despite the serious underlying message, the play uses witty dialogue and comical situations (the family's shocked reactions) to engage the audience.
• Satirical: It mocks the characters' flaws (pomposity, selfishness, superficiality) to expose societal issues.
• Colloquial Language: The dialogue reflects everyday speech, making the characters relatable.
• Dramatic Structure: As a one-act play, the action is concentrated, building quickly to the climax (confrontations) and resolution within a single setting, enhancing the impact.

6. Key Symbols/Motifs:

• Smoking, Drinking Stout, Playing Cards: Symbols of Mrs. Fitzgerald's independence, assertiveness, and rejection of conventional housewife norms. When Mrs. Pearson's body does these things, it signifies the radical shift in behaviour.
• The "East": Represents mysticism, magic, and the source of the power to change the situation, suggesting that conventional Western methods might not suffice.
• Tea: Represents the routine domestic service expected of Mrs. Pearson, which the "new" Mrs. Pearson refuses to provide.
• The Club: Symbolises George's escape from domestic responsibility and his self-perceived social importance, which is then deflated.

7. Message/Significance for Exams:

• The play advocates for the fair treatment and recognition of mothers/wives within the family unit.
• It suggests that sometimes, drastic measures (like the personality swap) are needed to shake people out of their complacency.
• It champions the need for women to be assertive and demand respect.
• It serves as a critique of selfish and thoughtless behaviour within families.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. Who is the author of the play "Mother's Day"?
   a) Oscar Wilde
   b) George Bernard Shaw
   c) J.B. Priestley
   d) William Shakespeare

2. What is the central problem Mrs. Pearson faces at the beginning of the play?
   a) Financial difficulties
   b) Ill health
   c) Lack of appreciation and respect from her family
   d) A disagreement with her neighbour

3. What unique skill does Mrs. Fitzgerald possess that drives the plot?
   a) Cooking exotic dishes
   b) Playing a musical instrument
   c) Knowing magic to swap personalities
   d) Expert gardening skills

4. Which character is described as pompous and self-important, often spending evenings at the club?
   a) Cyril Pearson
   b) George Pearson
   c) Charlie Spence
   d) Mrs. Fitzgerald

5. What does Doris Pearson expect her mother to have ready for her date with Charlie Spence?
   a) Her dinner
   b) Her yellow silk dress, ironed
   c) Money for the cinema
   d) Her shoes polished

6. What drink does Mrs. Fitzgerald (in Mrs. Pearson's body) have that shocks the family?
   a) Tea
   b) Coffee
   c) Stout
   d) Whisky

7. What nickname does Mrs. Fitzgerald reveal George is called at the club?
   a) Georgie-Porgie
   b) Captain George
   c) Pompy-ompy Pearson
   d) The Chairman

8. What activity does the "new" Mrs. Pearson suggest the family do together at the end of the play?
   a) Go to the pictures
   b) Have a game of rummy
   c) Go for a walk
   d) Cook dinner together

9. The primary theme explored in "Mother's Day" is:
   a) The importance of education
   b) The generation gap
   c) The status and appreciation of a mother in a family
   d) The dangers of magic

10. What is the overall tone of the play "Mother's Day"?
    a) Tragic and depressing
    b) Romantic and sentimental
    c) Humorous and satirical
    d) Mysterious and suspenseful

Answer Key:

1. c) J.B. Priestley
2. c) Lack of appreciation and respect from her family
3. c) Knowing magic to swap personalities
4. b) George Pearson
5. b) Her yellow silk dress, ironed
6. c) Stout
7. c) Pompy-ompy Pearson
8. b) Have a game of rummy
9. c) The status and appreciation of a mother in a family
10. c) Humorous and satirical

Make sure you understand the characters' initial traits, how they change (or are forced to confront reality), and the underlying message about family dynamics and respect. Good luck with your preparation!