Class 11 Mother’s Day: Summary, Character Sketch, Theme

The play Mother’s Day by J.B. Priestley is included in NCERT Snapshots for Class 11 and delivers a strong social message. It highlights how mothers are often overworked, underappreciated, and taken for granted by their families. 

Here, you will find the Mother’s Day summary of class 11 explained in simple words, along with the central idea and themes. This summary of Mother’s Day in Class 11th will help you quickly understand the plot, character roles, and the moral of the play, making it useful for both exams and a deeper appreciation of the lesson.

Summary of Mother’s Day: Class 11th

Mother’s Day by J.B. Priestley is a one-act play that highlights how mothers are often ignored, overworked, and taken for granted in their own homes. It conveys a strong message about respect, equality, and the importance of recognizing the role of mothers in family life.

The play begins with Mrs. Pearson, a gentle and soft-hearted woman, who feels unhappy because her husband and children treat her poorly. They expect her to do all the household work, while they spend their time enjoying themselves outside. Mrs. Pearson’s friend and neighbor, Mrs. Fitzgerald, a strong-willed and bold woman, suggests a way to teach the family a lesson. She proposes that they temporarily exchange personalities so that Mrs. Fitzgerald’s firmness can help Mrs. Pearson gain respect at home.

With the exchange complete, Mrs. Pearson suddenly becomes bold and outspoken. Her children, Doris and Cyril, are shocked by her new behavior. Doris complains about her clothes not being ready, while Cyril asks about tea. Mrs. Pearson refuses to serve them and firmly tells them to handle things themselves. The children are surprised and confused, realizing that their mother is no longer willing to be treated like a servant.

When George Pearson, the husband, comes home, he is equally shocked. Instead of quietly listening to him, Mrs. Pearson boldly points out that people at the club laugh behind his back and call him names. George is embarrassed but also realizes that his wife is speaking the truth.

By the end of the play, the family begins to see their mistakes. They understand that Mrs. Pearson has feelings and deserves respect, appreciation, and help with household responsibilities. Mrs. Fitzgerald then changes back to her own personality, leaving Mrs. Pearson more confident than before.

The play concludes with the family agreeing to spend time together at home instead of leaving Mrs. Pearson alone.

Through humor and light drama, Mother’s Day story in Class 11th teaches an important lesson: mothers are not servants but equal members of the family who deserve love, respect, and support. It encourages families to share responsibilities and value the hard work mothers do every day.

Short Summary of Mother’s Day in Class 11th

J.B. Priestley’s Mother’s Day is a one-act play that exposes how mothers are often overworked and undervalued in their families. The story revolves around Mrs. Pearson, a kind woman who feels neglected by her husband George and children Doris and Cyril. 

They take her for granted, expecting her to serve them without appreciation. Her neighbor, Mrs. Fitzgerald, suggests a bold plan—exchanging personalities so Mrs. Pearson can stand up for herself.

Once this happens, Mrs. Pearson shocks her family by refusing to do chores and openly criticizing their behavior. Doris and Cyril are stunned when she tells them to manage on their own. George too is embarrassed when she points out how people mock him at the club. Slowly, the family realizes their mistakes. 

In the end, they agree to respect Mrs. Pearson and share responsibilities, highlighting the need for equality and appreciation at home.

More Important Resources for CBSE Exam:

CBSE Board: All details	CBSE Class 11 Commerce Subjects
CBSE Full Form	CBSE Class 11 English Syllabus
All about CBSE Class 11th	Class 11th Hornbill Syllabus
CBSE Class 11 Economics Syllabus

Mother’s Day Class 11: Character Sketch

Find below the character sketch of Mrs Pearson, Mrs. Fitzgerald, and others:

Character	Traits	Role in the Play
Mrs. Pearson	Gentle, kind, overworked, initially timid, later firm and assertive	A devoted mother who feels neglected by her husband and children. With Mrs. Fitzgerald’s help, she learns to assert herself and demands respect at home.
Mrs. Fitzgerald	Bold, strong-willed, practical, confident, dominating	The neighbor who guides Mrs. Pearson. By exchanging personalities, she empowers Mrs. Pearson to confront her family and change their behavior.
George Pearson	Ignorant, indifferent, selfish, somewhat foolish	Mrs. Pearson’s husband. He spends most of his time at the club, neglects his wife, and is embarrassed when told people mock him there.
Doris Pearson	Self-centered, demanding, careless, rude at first	Mrs. Pearson’s daughter. She takes her mother for granted, but is shocked when her mother refuses to serve her. Eventually, she realizes her mistake.
Cyril Pearson	Casual, thoughtless, dependent, careless	Mrs. Pearson’s son. He expects his mother to serve him and is surprised when she refuses. Learns to respect her by the end of the play.

Central Idea of Mother’s Day in Class 11th

The central idea of Mother’s Day is to highlight how mothers are often undervalued, overworked, and taken for granted in their families. J.B. Priestley uses humor and drama to show that a mother’s love should not be mistaken for servitude. 

Through Mrs. Pearson’s transformation with the help of Mrs. Fitzgerald, the play emphasizes the need for equality, respect, and shared responsibilities at home. It teaches that mothers deserve appreciation not just on special occasions but every day, as they are central to the happiness and unity of the family.

Theme of Mother’s Day Chapter

The theme of Mother’s Day is respect, equality, and recognition of mothers within the family. It shows how women, especially housewives, are often taken for granted and treated like unpaid servants. 

Through Mrs. Pearson’s bold stand, the play stresses the need for family members to share responsibilities, value a mother’s contribution, and treat her with love and dignity rather than neglect and indifference.

Read the chapter-wise summaries of Class 11 English here:

The Portrait of a Lady	Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues
We’re Not Afraid to Die	The Landscape of The Soul
The Ailing Planet	The Browning Version
The Adventure	A Photograph
Silk Road	The Laburnum Top
The Voice of The Rain	Childhood
Father to Son	Birth
The Summer of The Beautiful White Horse	The Address

Message of the Mother’s Day Story in Class 11

• Respect mothers: They are not servants but equal members of the family.
• Share responsibilities: Household chores should not be the mother’s burden alone.
• Value emotional labor: A mother’s love and effort deserve appreciation.
• Do not take women for granted: Treating mothers as invisible or secondary is unfair.
• Self-respect is essential: Mothers must assert themselves to gain recognition.
• Humor can teach lessons: Light drama can effectively highlight social issues.
• Family unity depends on equality: Mutual respect strengthens family bonds.

About the Author of Mother’s Day – J.B. Priestley

John Boynton Priestley (1894–1984), popularly known as J.B. Priestley, was an English novelist, playwright, essayist, and social commentator. He is best remembered for his plays that combined entertainment with strong social messages. His works often dealt with themes of class, family relationships, morality, and social responsibility.

Priestley served in World War I, and the experience influenced much of his later writing, where he highlighted the struggles of ordinary people. Some of his most famous works include the play An Inspector Calls (1945) and novels like The Good Companions (1929).

FAQs About Mother’s Day in Class 11