5.
Mother’s Day
1. How are Mrs Pearson and Mrs Fitzgerald contrasted?
The two ladies are sharply contrasted. Mrs Pearson is a pleasant but worried looking
woman in her forties. She speaks in a light, flurried sort of tone with a touch of suburban
cockney. Mrs Fitzgerald is older, heavier and has a strong and sinister personality. She
smokes. She has a deep voice, rather Irish tone.
2. “I’m much obliged,” says Mrs. J Pearson. What for does she feel obliged and to
whom?
Mrs. Pearson feels obliged to Mrs Fitzgerald for telling her fortune. She thinks it quite
wonderful having a real fortune teller living next door.
3. What fortune does Mrs Fitzgerald predict for Mrs Pearson?
Mrs Fitzgerald is quite equivocal in her predictions. She says it could be a good fortune or a
bad one. All depends on Mrs Pearson herself now. She asks her to decide firmly. Her
fortune depends on it.
4. What problem does Mrs Pearson face? Who do you think is responsible for this
state of affairs?
Mrs Pearson devotes all her time and energy to serve her husband, son and daughter.
These thoughtless and selfish persons go out every night to enjoy themselves leaving Mrs
Pearson alone at home. She is no better than a servant in her own home. Mrs Pearson
herself is responsible for the ill-treatment, neglect and lack of concern shown to her.
5. What course of action does Mrs Fitzgerald suggest to Mrs Pearson to tackle the
situation?
Mrs Fitzgerald tells Mrs Pearson to decide firmly and stick to her decision. She must
assert her position and become the real mistress of the house. Her own initiative can help
her. She must let them wait or look after themselves for once.
6. How does Mrs Fitzgerald plan to deal with the family of Mrs Pearson?
She tells Mrs Pearson that she will deal with her family not as herself but as Mrs Pearson.
They will change places or really bodies. Mrs Pearson would then look like Mrs Fitzgerald
and the latter would look like the former.
7. Why does Doris Pearson feel astounded on returning home?
Doris finds her mother smoking away—lighting another cigarette and laying out the
cards for patience on the table. She shoots her query about ironing her yellow silk, but
feels astounded on seeing her mother’s behaviour.
8. What are the two reasons that annoy Doris Pearson?
Firstly, Doris is annoyed that her mother has not ironed her yellow silk dress which she
has to wear that night. Secondly, she has returned home after working hard all day and
mother hasn’t even bothered to get her tea ready.
9. How does Mrs Pearson refute Doris’s argument about working hard?
Mrs Pearson tells Doris that she has a good idea how much Doris does. Mrs Pearson
claims that she puts in twice the hours that Doris does, and gets no pay or thanks for it.
10. How, do you think, is George Pearson treated at the club?
The members of the club laugh at George Pearson. He is, in fact, one of their standing jokes.
They call him Pompy-Ompy Pearson because they think he is quite slow and pompous.
Although this joke is quite famous, George is unaware of it.
