The one-act play Mother’s Day by J.B. Priestley is part of NCERT Snapshots for Class 11 and carries a powerful social message. It shows how mothers are often undervalued and taken for granted by their families.
Here, we provide Mother’s Day Class 11 questions and answers to help you understand the play better and prepare effectively for exams. These carefully selected questions and answers of Mother’s Day cover important characters, themes, central idea, and message, making it a complete revision guide for students.
Class 11 Mother’s Day Questions and Answers (Short)
Q1. Who is the author of Mother’s Day?
The play is written by J.B. Priestley, an English dramatist and novelist known for combining humor with social messages.
Q2. Who are the main characters in the play?
The main characters are Mrs. Pearson, Mrs. Fitzgerald, George Pearson, Doris Pearson, and Cyril Pearson.
Q3. Why is Mrs. Pearson unhappy in the beginning?
She feels neglected and taken for granted by her husband and children, who expect her to do all household chores without appreciation.
Q4. Who is Mrs. Fitzgerald?
Mrs. Fitzgerald is Mrs. Pearson’s strong, bold neighbor who helps her stand up against her family by exchanging personalities.
Q5. How does Mrs. Fitzgerald help Mrs. Pearson?
She exchanges personalities with Mrs. Pearson and in her body, she firmly confronts the family about their selfishness.
Q6. How do Doris and Cyril react to their mother’s changed behavior?
They are shocked and confused when Mrs. Pearson refuses to serve them and speaks boldly, unlike her usual timid self.
Q7. What does Doris want her mother to do at the beginning?
Doris wants her mother to iron her yellow silk dress so she can go out in the evening.
Q8. How does Mrs. Pearson respond to Doris’s request?
She refuses and bluntly tells Doris to do it herself, leaving Doris surprised and upset.
Q9. What does Cyril expect when he comes home?
Cyril expects his tea ready and is annoyed when Mrs. Pearson tells him to get it himself.
Q10. How does George Pearson treat his wife?
George is indifferent and spends most of his time at the club, leaving Mrs. Pearson lonely and unappreciated.
Q11. How does Mrs. Pearson (with Mrs. Fitzgerald’s personality) confront George?
She tells George bluntly that people at the club laugh at him and call him names, shocking and embarrassing him.
Q12. How does the family react to Mrs. Pearson’s boldness?
Initially surprised and angry, they gradually realize their mistakes and start respecting her more.
Q13. What social issue does the play highlight?
The play highlights gender inequality and how mothers are undervalued in families, treated more like servants than equals.
Q14. How does humor play a role in the play?
Humor softens the serious message. Mrs. Pearson’s witty comments and George’s embarrassment create comic moments with lessons.
Q15. What lesson do Doris and Cyril learn?
They learn that their mother is not their servant and deserves respect, love, and equal treatment in the family.
Q16. How does the play end?
The family accepts their mistakes and agrees to spend the evening at home with Mrs. Pearson, showing her more respect.
Q17. Justify the title Mother’s Day.
The title is apt as the play emphasizes giving respect, dignity, and appreciation to mothers, not just on one day but always.
Q18. What is the central idea of the play?
The central idea is that mothers must be respected as equal family members, and their hard work should not be taken for granted.
Q19. Why is the play relevant even today?
Even today, many mothers are undervalued and overworked. The play’s message about equality and respect in families remains timeless.
Q20. What message does J.B. Priestley convey through the play?
The message is that mothers deserve love, appreciation, and shared responsibility at home. Families must value their contributions beyond daily chores.
Character-Based Questions from Mother’s Day Chapter
Q1. Give a brief character sketch of Mrs. Pearson.
Mrs. Pearson is a gentle, overworked mother, ignored by her family. With Mrs. Fitzgerald’s help, she transforms into a confident, bold woman who demands respect. She represents women who must assert themselves to gain equality at home.
Q2. How is Mrs. Fitzgerald different from Mrs. Pearson?
Mrs. Fitzgerald is strong-willed, fearless, and practical, while Mrs. Pearson is timid and submissive initially. Their contrast allows Mrs. Pearson to learn firmness and change her family’s attitude.
Q3. Describe George Pearson.
George is indifferent to his wife, spending most of his time at the club. He is unaware that others laugh at him. Shocked by his wife’s boldness, he eventually realizes her truth and begins to respect her.
Q4. What kind of children are Doris and Cyril?
Doris and Cyril are selfish and careless. They expect their mother to serve them without thanks. When confronted, they realize their mistake and learn to treat her with respect.
Q5. How do the two women (Pearson and Fitzgerald) complement each other?
Mrs. Pearson’s gentleness and Mrs. Fitzgerald’s boldness balance each other. Pearson needs firmness, while Fitzgerald offers it, showing how women can support each other in overcoming challenges.
More Important Resources for CBSE Exam:
| CBSE Board: All details | CBSE Class 11 Commerce Subjects |
| CBSE Full Form | All about CBSE Class 11th |
| Class 11th Hornbill Syllabus |
Theme-Based Question Answer from Mother’s Day in Class 11
Q1. What is the central idea of Mother’s Day?
The central idea is that mothers are equal family members who deserve respect, dignity, and appreciation. The play emphasizes sharing responsibilities at home.
Q2. How does the play highlight gender inequality?
It shows how women, especially mothers, are often undervalued and overworked, while husbands and children take them for granted.
Q3. What message does the play give about family life?
The play conveys that mutual respect and equality are essential for harmony in the family. Mothers should not be treated as unpaid servants.
Q4. How does humor make the play effective?
Humor makes the serious issue light and engaging. Mrs. Pearson’s witty remarks and George’s embarrassment create laughter while delivering a strong message.
Q5. Why is the play still relevant today?
Even today, many mothers face neglect and overwork. The play reminds families to value, respect, and support mothers in daily life.
Find detailed questions and answers from all chapters of English Class 11 now:
Mother’s Day Questions and Answers (Long)
Q1. Describe how Mrs. Fitzgerald helps Mrs. Pearson bring a change in her family.
Mrs. Fitzgerald, Mrs. Pearson’s bold and confident neighbor, realizes that Mrs. Pearson is unhappy because her family takes her for granted. To help her, Mrs. Fitzgerald suggests exchanging personalities for some time. After the exchange, Mrs. Fitzgerald, in Mrs. Pearson’s body, begins to deal with the family firmly. She refuses to serve Doris and Cyril when they demand chores, shocking them into realizing their mistakes.
She also confronts George about how people at the club laugh at him. Her straightforwardness forces the family to see the truth about themselves and their behavior toward Mrs. Pearson. By the end, the family feels guilty and agrees to respect Mrs. Pearson and spend time with her. Through this strategy, Mrs. Fitzgerald empowers her friend, proving that firmness and self-respect are necessary to gain recognition in the family.
Q2. How does Mrs. Pearson’s family treat her at the beginning of the play, and how does it change by the end?
At the beginning of the play, Mrs. Pearson’s family—her husband George, daughter Doris, and son Cyril—treat her poorly. They expect her to do all the household work without thanks or appreciation. Doris wants her clothes ironed, Cyril wants his tea ready, and George spends most of his time at the club, ignoring her. They see her only as someone to serve their needs.
However, after Mrs. Fitzgerald exchanges personalities with Mrs. Pearson, everything changes. The new, bold Mrs. Pearson refuses to serve them and points out their faults directly. The children are shocked, and George is embarrassed when told people laugh at him. Gradually, they realize their selfishness and agree to respect Mrs. Pearson more. By the end, the family decides to stay home together, showing a complete change in their attitude toward her.
Q3. What role does humor play in J.B. Priestley’s Mother’s Day?
Humor plays a very important role in making the play entertaining while delivering a serious message. The witty remarks of Mrs. Pearson, after the personality exchange, add comic moments that make the play light and enjoyable. For example, when Doris and Cyril expect her to serve them, she sarcastically refuses, leaving them shocked and confused.
George’s embarrassment when told that people at the club laugh at him creates further humor. These moments of comedy are not just for entertainment; they highlight the selfishness of the family and how absurd their expectations are. Priestley uses humor to ensure the audience pays attention without feeling that the play is moralizing. By mixing laughter with lessons, the play succeeds in addressing the serious issue of undervaluing mothers in families. Humor, therefore, becomes a tool to teach respect and equality in an engaging way.
Q4. Justify the title of the play Mother’s Day.
The title Mother’s Day is very apt and symbolic. The play deals with the unfair treatment mothers receive in their own families, where they are overworked and underappreciated. Through Mrs. Pearson’s transformation, the play shows that mothers are not servants but equal members of the family who deserve dignity and love.
The title suggests that just as there is a special day to celebrate mothers, families must learn to respect them every day. The message of the play is that every day should be “Mother’s Day,” as mothers hold families together with their love and sacrifices. By choosing this simple and familiar title, J.B. Priestley attracts attention to the central issue and makes it easy for readers and audiences to understand the importance of valuing mothers in society.
Q5. How is George Pearson portrayed in the play? How does he react to his wife’s boldness?
George Pearson is shown as an indifferent husband who spends most of his time at the club. He ignores his wife and never appreciates her efforts at home. He is also unaware that people at the club laugh at him behind his back and call him names. When Mrs. Pearson, under Mrs. Fitzgerald’s influence, tells him this truth, George is shocked and embarrassed.
At first, he cannot believe it and feels humiliated. However, he realizes that his wife is telling the truth. Though George is portrayed as somewhat foolish and dependent, his reaction to his wife’s boldness shows that he is capable of change. By the end of the play, George agrees to stay home with the family instead of going to the club. This change in his behavior highlights the success of Mrs. Pearson’s transformation.
Q6. What lesson do Doris and Cyril learn from their mother’s transformation?
Doris and Cyril, the children of Mrs. Pearson, are selfish and careless at the beginning of the play. Doris expects her mother to iron her dress, while Cyril wants his tea ready when he returns home. They do not value their mother’s hard work or emotions. However, after Mrs. Pearson transforms into a bold, assertive woman, they are shocked. She refuses to serve them and tells them to handle their own tasks.
This sudden change makes them realize that their mother has been taken for granted for too long. They feel guilty and understand that they must treat her with more respect and help her with household responsibilities. By the end of the play, Doris and Cyril learn that their mother is not a servant but an equal family member. Their lesson is to respect, value, and support her in daily life.
Q7. How does Mother’s Day highlight gender inequality within the family?
The play highlights gender inequality by showing how Mrs. Pearson is treated in her household. Her husband and children expect her to cook, clean, and serve them without appreciation. While George spends time at the club, and Doris and Cyril enjoy their own activities, Mrs. Pearson is left overworked and neglected. This reflects the common social problem where housewives are undervalued and treated as if their role is only to serve.
The personality exchange with Mrs. Fitzgerald makes the inequality visible. When Mrs. Pearson refuses to do chores and points out their faults, the family is shocked, showing how much they depended on her without respect. The play emphasizes that such inequality is unjust and must be corrected. It calls for equal responsibility and dignity for women in the household, making the theme socially relevant.
Q8. Compare and contrast the characters of Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. Fitzgerald.
Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. Fitzgerald are very different in nature, yet they complement each other. Mrs. Pearson is gentle, timid, and soft-spoken. She loves her family but feels unhappy because they ignore her. She lacks the courage to confront them. In contrast, Mrs. Fitzgerald is bold, confident, and practical. She believes in speaking the truth and standing up for herself.
The two women exchange personalities, and through Mrs. Fitzgerald’s firmness, Mrs. Pearson learns to assert herself. Their contrast symbolizes the two types of women in society—those who quietly tolerate neglect and those who boldly demand respect. Together, they show that women need to be strong and assertive to gain equality. This contrast helps deliver the play’s message effectively, as Mrs. Pearson grows into a more confident woman with Mrs. Fitzgerald’s support.
Q9. What is the central idea of Mother’s Day? How does the play convey it?
The central idea of the play is that mothers should not be treated as servants in their own homes. They are equal members of the family who deserve love, respect, and support. J.B. Priestley conveys this idea through the character of Mrs. Pearson, who initially feels neglected but later transforms into a bold woman with the help of Mrs. Fitzgerald.
By refusing to serve her husband and children, she shocks them into realizing how unfair they have been. George, Doris, and Cyril all feel guilty and agree to change their behavior. The play conveys its idea with humor and wit, making the message simple and clear. It emphasizes that respect for mothers should not be limited to special occasions but must be shown every day in practical ways.
Q10. What message does Mother’s Day give to society, and why is it still relevant today?
The play delivers a powerful message about respect, equality, and recognition of mothers. It shows how mothers are often undervalued in families, treated as servants rather than equal members. The message is that families must share responsibilities, support mothers, and treat them with love and dignity. This message remains highly relevant even today, as many women continue to face neglect and overwork at home. In modern society, where gender equality is discussed widely, the play reminds us that change must begin within families.
Respecting mothers is not just about celebrating them on one day but about valuing their contribution every day. The play teaches us that family harmony depends on mutual respect, and true appreciation must be shown through actions, not just words.
Read the chapter-wise summaries of Class 11 English here:
Important Questions from Mother’s Day Chapter
- Who was Mrs. Fitzgerald and how did she help Mrs. Pearson?
- Why was Mrs. Pearson unhappy at the beginning of the play?
- How did Doris and Cyril react to their mother’s changed behavior?
- Describe George Pearson’s character and his reaction to Mrs. Pearson’s boldness.
- Justify the title of the play Mother’s Day.
- How does humor make the play more effective?
- What message does J.B. Priestley convey through Mother’s Day?
- Compare and contrast the characters of Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. Fitzgerald.
- How does the play highlight gender inequality in the family?
- What is the central idea of Mother’s Day?
Short Summary of Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day by J.B. Priestley is a humorous yet thought-provoking play about respect and equality in the family. Mrs. Pearson, a devoted housewife, feels unappreciated as her husband George and children Doris and Cyril take her for granted, leaving her overworked and lonely.
Her neighbor, Mrs. Fitzgerald, suggests a bold plan and temporarily exchanges personalities with her. In Mrs. Pearson’s body, she speaks firmly, refusing to do chores and openly criticizing her family’s careless behavior.
Shocked by her sudden boldness, the family realizes how unfairly they have treated her. By the end, they agree to respect her, share responsibilities, and spend more time together. The play highlights that mothers are not servants but equal members of the family who deserve love, appreciation, and dignity.
Read the complete Summary of Mother’s Day here.
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