The play "Mother’s Day" by J.B. Priestley is a light-hearted but meaningful drama highlighting the unequal treatment of women within families. The story revolves around Mrs. Annie Pearson, a gentle, loving housewife who is often neglected and disrespected by her husband George, her son Cyril, and her daughter Doris. They take her for granted, ordering her around and never appreciating her sacrifices.
Mrs. Pearson’s neighbor, Mrs. Fitzgerald, a strong and bold woman, notices her plight and suggests exchanging personalities through magic to teach her family a lesson. When the switch happens, Mrs. Pearson (with Mrs. Fitzgerald’s personality) becomes assertive, confident, and outspoken. She refuses to serve tea, criticizes her family’s behavior, and makes them realize their selfishness.
At first, George, Cyril, and Doris are shocked and even angry at this sudden change. However, gradually they begin to understand how much Mrs. Pearson has done for them and how unfairly they treated her. The play ends with the family realizing her true worth and promising to respect her more.
Through humor and satire, the play delivers a powerful message about gender equality, mutual respect, and the need to value the hard work of mothers and housewives in every family.
जे. बी. प्रीस्टली द्वारा लिखित नाटक "मदर्स डे" एक हल्का-फुल्का लेकिन सार्थक नाटक है, जो परिवारों में महिलाओं के साथ होने वाले असमान व्यवहार को दर्शाता है। कहानी का केंद्र बिंदु है श्रीमती एनी पियर्सन, जो एक दयालु और प्रेममयी गृहिणी हैं। उनका पति जॉर्ज, बेटा सिरिल और बेटी डोरिस उन्हें कभी महत्व नहीं देते और केवल अपने स्वार्थ के लिए उनका उपयोग करते हैं।
पड़ोसन श्रीमती फिट्ज़गेराल्ड उनकी स्थिति देखकर एक जादुई तरीका सुझाती हैं—व्यक्तित्व का आदान-प्रदान। अदला-बदली के बाद, श्रीमती पियर्सन का व्यवहार अचानक बदल जाता है। अब वह आत्मविश्वासी और दृढ़ हो जाती हैं। वह चाय परोसने से इनकार करती हैं, परिवार के तानों का जवाब देती हैं और उनकी स्वार्थी प्रवृत्ति पर चोट करती हैं।
शुरुआत में परिवार के सदस्य हैरान और नाराज़ होते हैं, लेकिन धीरे-धीरे उन्हें एहसास होता है कि उन्होंने माँ की मेहनत और त्याग को कभी महत्व नहीं दिया। अंततः वे अपनी गलती मानते हैं और उन्हें सम्मान देने का वचन देते हैं।
नाटक हास्य और व्यंग्य के माध्यम से यह संदेश देता है कि महिलाओं और माताओं का सम्मान हर परिवार में होना चाहिए और घर की नींव को कभी हल्के में नहीं लेना चाहिए।
Q1. Who is the author of "Mother’s Day"?
a) R.K. Narayan
b) J.B. Priestley ✔
c) William Shakespeare
d) Bernard Shaw
Q2. Who is the main character of the play?
a) Mrs. Fitzgerald
b) Doris
c) Mrs. Annie Pearson ✔
d) George
Q3. What problem does Mrs. Pearson face in her family?
a) She is sick
b) She is neglected and disrespected ✔
c) She is unemployed
d) She is old
Q4. Who helps Mrs. Pearson to change her situation?
a) Her daughter
b) Mrs. Fitzgerald ✔
c) A relative
d) Her husband
Q5. What magical act do Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. Fitzgerald perform?
a) Change clothes
b) Exchange personalities ✔
c) Swap houses
d) Hypnotize the family
Q6. How does Mrs. Pearson behave after the personality switch?
a) Gentle and quiet
b) Assertive and bold ✔
c) Sad and worried
d) Nervous and shy
Q7. How does George Pearson initially react to his wife’s new behavior?
a) He supports her
b) He feels shocked and angry ✔
c) He laughs at her
d) He ignores her
Q8. What lesson do Cyril and Doris learn in the play?
a) To earn money
b) To respect their mother ✔
c) To avoid work
d) To leave home
Q9. What is the main theme of the play?
a) Superstition
b) Gender equality and respect ✔
c) Friendship
d) Poverty
Q10. How does the play end?
a) The family leaves the mother
b) The mother leaves the house
c) The family realizes their mistake and promises respect ✔
d) Mrs. Fitzgerald stays with them
Q1. Why is Mrs. Annie Pearson unhappy in her family?
Ans: Mrs. Pearson is unhappy because her husband and children neglect her. They take her for granted, order her around, and never appreciate her sacrifices. She feels unrecognized and disrespected in her own home.
Q2. Who is Mrs. Fitzgerald and how does she help Annie Pearson?
Ans: Mrs. Fitzgerald is Annie’s strong, confident neighbor. She uses her bold personality and magic to exchange personalities with Mrs. Pearson so that Annie can learn to assert herself and make her family realize her importance.
Q3. How does Doris treat her mother?
Ans: Doris treats her mother rudely and without respect. She often gives her orders, like ironing clothes or preparing tea, without considering her feelings. She behaves as if her mother is a servant.
Q4. How does Cyril react to Mrs. Pearson’s changed behavior?
Ans: Cyril is shocked by his mother’s sudden boldness. He is not used to her outspoken replies and firm attitude. At first, he is upset, but later he realizes how unfairly they treated her.
Q5. What kind of husband is George Pearson?
Ans: George Pearson is careless and irresponsible. He spends most of his time outside, at the club, instead of being with his family. He takes his wife for granted and never values her efforts.
Q6. What change comes in Mrs. Pearson’s character after the switch?
Ans: After the switch, Mrs. Pearson becomes bold, outspoken, and assertive. She refuses to serve tea, criticizes her family’s selfishness, and demands respect. This surprising behavior forces her family to rethink their actions.
Q7. Why does Mrs. Fitzgerald call George Pearson a “laughing stock”?
Ans: Mrs. Fitzgerald tells George that people at the club laugh at him behind his back, calling him slow and dull. This shocks George and makes him realize his wife knows more than he imagined.
Q8. How does Mrs. Pearson teach her children a lesson?
Ans: Mrs. Pearson refuses to serve them, tells them to do their own work, and points out their faults. This unexpected firmness shocks Cyril and Doris, making them realize their mother’s importance and sacrifices.
Q9. What message does the play give about women’s role in family?
Ans: The play shows that women, especially mothers, should not be taken for granted. They deserve love, respect, and equal treatment. It highlights the importance of valuing mothers’ sacrifices in every household.
Q10. Why is humor important in "Mother’s Day"?
Ans: Humor softens the serious message of the play. By using witty dialogues, satire, and funny situations, J.B. Priestley delivers a lesson about respect and equality without making the play heavy or dull.
Q1. Write the central theme of the play "Mother’s Day".
Ans: The play "Mother’s Day" highlights the neglect and disrespect that housewives often face in their families. Annie Pearson is taken for granted by her husband and children, who treat her as a servant. With the help of Mrs. Fitzgerald, Annie’s personality changes, making her bold and assertive. She refuses to be ordered around and makes her family realize their mistakes. Finally, they agree to respect her. The central theme is gender equality, mutual respect, and the importance of valuing mothers’ sacrifices in family life.
Q2. How does Mrs. Fitzgerald help Mrs. Pearson change her life?
Ans: Mrs. Fitzgerald is a bold and experienced woman who advises Mrs. Pearson to stand up for herself. When Annie hesitates, Fitzgerald uses her magical powers to exchange personalities. Now, Mrs. Pearson behaves assertively, refuses to be exploited, and criticizes her family’s selfish behavior. This shocks George, Doris, and Cyril. Gradually, they realize their mistakes and begin to value Annie. Thus, Mrs. Fitzgerald helps Annie Pearson gain confidence, respect, and equality in her family life.
Q3. How is George Pearson portrayed in the play?
Ans: George Pearson is Annie’s husband, shown as irresponsible and insensitive. He spends most of his time at the club, neglecting his family. He doesn’t respect Annie’s efforts and assumes she will always serve him. Mrs. Fitzgerald reveals that people at the club laugh at him, calling him dull. George is shocked by this truth. Through Annie’s assertiveness, George realizes his mistakes. He symbolizes men who underestimate their wives, but by the end, he begins to see her value.
Q4. How does Annie Pearson finally earn respect from her family?
Ans: Annie Pearson gains respect with the help of Mrs. Fitzgerald. After their personality exchange, Annie becomes bold and outspoken. She refuses to serve tea, points out Doris’s selfishness, criticizes Cyril’s carelessness, and exposes George’s foolishness. Her family is shocked but slowly realizes her worth. By being firm yet truthful, Annie teaches them that mothers are not servants. Finally, the family accepts their mistake and promises to treat her better. Thus, she earns respect by asserting herself.
Q5. What social message does "Mother’s Day" convey?
Ans: "Mother’s Day" conveys the message that mothers and housewives must be respected and valued in every family. J.B. Priestley uses humor and satire to show how families exploit women, expecting them to sacrifice without appreciation. Through Annie Pearson’s transformation, the play emphasizes gender equality and the need to recognize women’s hard work. It teaches that mothers should not be taken for granted but treated with dignity and love. The play delivers a universal social message relevant to every family and society.