Mothers Day Summary by J. B. Priestly

Mothers  Day

-       J. B. Priestly

J. B. Priestly is a famous playwright, novelist, and critic. His play Mother’s Day was published in the year 1953.

The play is set in a middle-class suburban home. The mother in the play is Anne Pearson. The story revolves around Pearson family. She works hard to keep her house happy and clean. Her husband, son and daughter enjoys the labour of Pearson but fails to praise her deeds.

Annie Pearson feels neglected and lonely. She loves her family without any expectations. She shares her grief over her family with her neighbour Mrs. Fitzgerald. She  notices Pearson's plight. She steps into the house of Pearson to help. She makes the family aware of what they owe to Mrs. Pearson.

Mrs. Fitzgerald an assertive and domineering woman offers to exchange souls.  Mrs. Pearson wants to show their family members that life would be miserable if the mother too would begin to behave like them. She realizes that she needs to stand up for herself too if she wants to gain respect and recognition from her family.

Her harsh behaviour towards her family member makes them turn grateful towards her. They understand her feelings and starts to respect her. The mother is showered with support and appreciation at the end of the play.

J. B. Priestly tries to convey the unpaid nature of women’s work. A man earning money for the family is treated as the breadwinner of the family. But a house wife who works for the family without any expectations is neglected. Thus the play comments on the dignity to be accorded for house work.

 

 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Summary for At the Church Door

Like an Old Proud King in a Parable A. J.M. Smith, Summary for BA Students.

Summary for the Play Strife by John Galsworthy