Mother’s Day Class 11 Chapter-3 Book-Snapshots Theory Notes

1. Main Theme of the Play:

• The play highlights the lack of respect and appreciation for a mother’s hard work in a family.

• It focuses on how a mother is taken for granted and how she can change the situation by asserting herself.

• Gender roles and family dynamics are central to the plot.

• The importance of self-respect and standing up for oneself is emphasized.

2. Characters and Their Roles:

1. Mrs. Annie Pearson (The Mother)

• A loving but timid and overworked housewife who is always catering to her family’s needs.

• She never complains and continues to serve her husband and children despite their rude behavior.

• Transformation: After swapping personalities with Mrs. Fitzgerald, she becomes bold and assertive, making her family realize her importance.

2. Mrs. Fitzgerald (The Neighbor)

• A strong, bold, and dominating woman who is the opposite of Mrs. Pearson.

• She believes in self-respect and encourages Mrs. Pearson to demand respect from her family.

• Uses magic to swap personalities with Mrs. Pearson so she can teach her family a lesson.

3. George Pearson (The Father)

• A self-important, pompous man who spends most of his time at the club rather than with his family.

• He does not appreciate his wife and expects her to serve him without question.

• Later, he is shocked to learn that his club friends mock him and begins to realize his mistakes.

4. Doris Pearson (The Daughter)

• A spoiled young woman in her early twenties.

• She expects her mother to do all the housework, including ironing her clothes, without showing any gratitude.

• She is shocked and hurt when her mother refuses to iron her dress and criticizes her boyfriend.

5. Cyril Pearson (The Son)

• A younger version of Doris, equally selfish and inconsiderate.

• He believes his mother’s only duty is to cook, clean, and serve him.

• He is stunned when his mother refuses to make tea or mend his clothes.

3. Key Points and Summary of Events:

1. Mrs. Fitzgerald advises Mrs. Pearson to take control of her family.

2. Personality Swap:

• Mrs. Fitzgerald uses magic to swap personalities with Mrs. Pearson.

• Now, Mrs. Pearson (with Mrs. Fitzgerald’s personality) becomes confident and strict.

3. Doris and Cyril are shocked by their mother’s changed behavior:

• She refuses to make tea and asks them to help themselves.

• She insults Doris’s boyfriend, Charlie Spence, making Doris cry.

• She criticizes Cyril for wasting time and money on races and shows.

4. George Pearson comes home and gets a reality check:

• He is shocked to see his wife drinking stout and refusing to serve him tea.

• Mrs. Pearson reveals that his club friends make fun of him and call him "Pompy-ompy Pearson."

• George is hurt but realizes the truth.

5. The family starts to feel guilty and confused about the sudden change.

6. Mrs. Fitzgerald insists on changing back personalities.

7. Mrs. Pearson (now back to her real self) remains firm but pleasant.

8. The family, now respectful, agrees to stay home for the evening.

9. Ending: The family plans to play rummy together and help with supper, showing a new respect for Mrs. Pearson.

4. Important Messages and Moral Lessons:

• Mothers should be respected and appreciated.

• Housework is not just a woman’s responsibility; family members should help.

• Parents should not spoil their children but teach them good values.

• Self-respect is important; people will treat you the way you allow them to.

• Standing up for oneself can change the way people treat you.

5. Important Quotes from the Play:

1. Mrs. Fitzgerald to Mrs. Pearson:

• "Put your foot down once and for all, and be the mistress of your own house!"

• → Encouraging Mrs. Pearson to take control of her family.

2. Mrs. Pearson (after swapping personalities):

• "Want it ironed? What d’you think it’s going to do—iron itself?"

• → Shocking Doris by refusing to iron her dress.

3. Mrs. Pearson to George:

• "Your club friends laugh at you behind your back and call you Pompy-ompy Pearson!"

• → Making George realize how he is treated at the club.

4. Mrs. Pearson to the family:

• "Forty-hour week for all now. Just watch it at the weekend when I have my two days off."

• → Declaring that she will not work for them without appreciation anymore.

6. Key Takeaways for Exams:

• Theme: Family, self-respect, gender roles, assertiveness.

• Character Analysis: Mrs. Pearson’s transformation is central to the play.

• Important Scenes: Personality swap, shocking the family, realization, and resolution.

• Moral: Respect and appreciate the contributions of family members, especially mothers.