NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 5 – Mother's Day
Author: J.B. Priestley | CBSE Class 11 | NCERT Snapshots
NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 5 – Mother's Day is a brilliantly comic one-act play written by the renowned British playwright J.B. Priestley. Unlike most stories that celebrate or sentimentalise motherhood, this play takes a sharp, satirical approach to the way society takes mothers for granted. The story centres on Mrs Pearson, a kind but thoroughly doormatted housewife who is constantly ignored and unappreciated by her own family. Students must check out the NCERT Solutions Resources for Class 11 English, like NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English and for all subjects, NCERT solutions for class 11.
Her neighbour Mrs Fitzgerald, a bold and forthright woman with a talent for the occult, proposes a radical plan: the two women will swap personalities so that the confident Mrs Fitzgerald, now in Mrs Pearson's body, can teach the Pearson family a lesson about respect. What follows is a hilariously uncomfortable confrontation that forces the Pearson family to see their mother as a person, not a servant. For Class 11 CBSE students, Myclass24 offers clear and complete NCERT Solutions for this play, covering all characters, themes, and stage directions that the textbook questions address.
NCERT Solutions PDF – Chapter 5 Mother's Day (Myclass24)
PDF Download — Myclass24 Download the free PDF of NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 5 – Mother's Day from Myclass24. The PDF includes full answers to all questions, making it perfect for quick revision before CBSE board exams. |
Chapter 5 – Mother's Day: Summary, Analysis & Key Facts
J.B. Priestley's "Mother's Day" is perhaps the most overtly feminist text in the Class 11 NCERT Snapshots textbook, and it delivers its message with humour, energy, and theatrical flair. Written as a one-act play, it is a quick read but a deeply rewarding one, raising questions about domestic labour, gender roles, and the invisible emotional work that mothers perform every day.
Mrs Pearson is the kind of woman who lives entirely for others. She rushes around making tea, doing laundry, and generally running the household while her husband, son, and daughter treat her wishes as optional at best. Nobody consults her, thanks her, or considers what she might want. She is present in the house the way furniture is — useful, unnoticed, and taken for granted.
Enter Mrs Fitzgerald — larger than life, opinionated, and with a few unusual skills in the occult. She performs a charm that swaps the personalities of the two women. From this point on, it is Mrs Fitzgerald's blunt, no-nonsense character operating from inside Mrs Pearson's body. The effect is immediately shocking to the Pearson family. "Mrs Pearson" lights a cigarette, pours herself a drink, speaks sharply, and flatly refuses to make tea. She tells daughter Doris that her boyfriend Charlie Spence is a "nasty, conceited young man," and she informs son Cyril that his evenings at the club are a waste of time. She is brutal — but she is also largely right.
The play builds to a satisfying climax. Mr Pearson, who had been at his club, returns to find his household in chaos. He is also subjected to the truth — that he has been a self-important and unappreciative husband. For a brief, uncomfortable moment, the family is forced to look at themselves clearly. Mrs Fitzgerald then switches the personalities back, and Mrs Pearson — now emboldened by what she has witnessed her family is capable of accepting — stands her ground just a little more firmly than before. The play ends with the Pearson family agreeing to treat their mother with more care and consideration.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Chapter | 5 – Mother's Day |
| Book | NCERT Snapshots (Class 11 English) |
| Author | J.B. Priestley |
| Form | One-Act Play |
| Setting | The Pearson family home, England |
| Main Characters | Mrs Pearson, Mrs Fitzgerald, Doris, Cyril, Mr Pearson |
| Theme | Women's Rights, Domestic Labour, Family Respect, Gender Roles |
Priestley makes no heavy-handed speeches. The comedy does the work. By making the audience laugh at the Pearsons, he makes them uncomfortable enough to examine similar dynamics in their own lives. The play is a brilliant example of how theatre can challenge social norms while keeping audiences thoroughly entertained.
| Before Swap | After Swap (Mrs Fitzgerald in Mrs Pearson's body) |
|---|---|
| Mrs Pearson is meek and ignored | "Mrs Pearson" is bold and outspoken |
| Family takes her for granted | Family is shocked and confused |
| No one listens to her | Everyone is forced to listen |
| She does all chores without thanks | She refuses chores; demands respect |
| Feels powerless | Family begins to reflect on behaviour |
Key Facts Table
| Detail | Information | Chapter | 5 – Mother's Day | | Book | NCERT Snapshots (Class 11 English) | | Author | J.B. Priestley | | Form | One-Act Play | | Setting | The Pearson family home, England | | Main Characters | Mrs Pearson, Mrs Fitzgerald, Doris, Cyril, Mr Pearson | | Theme | Women's Rights, Domestic Labour, Family Respect, Gender Roles |
The Swap: Personality Exchange and Its Effects
| Before Swap | After Swap (Mrs Fitzgerald in Mrs Pearson's body) | Mrs Pearson is meek and ignored | "Mrs Pearson" is bold and outspoken | | Family takes her for granted | Family is shocked and confused | | No one listens to her | Everyone is forced to listen | | She does all chores without thanks | She refuses chores; demands respect | | Feels powerless | Family begins to reflect on behaviour |
For CBSE exams, the key questions include why Mrs Fitzgerald's methods are effective and what the play suggests about the status of women in families. Myclass24's NCERT Solutions address these with well-structured, detailed answers that are ideal for board exam preparation.
NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 5 Mother’s Day
The chapter emphasizes respect, appreciation, and recognition for mothers and homemakers. Mrs. Pearson is often taken for granted by her family despite managing household responsibilities. Through a humorous twist, family members begin to realize her importance and contribution. The story highlights how domestic work is frequently undervalued even though it requires effort and dedication. Readers learn the importance of expressing gratitude toward family members who support others every day. The chapter promotes equality, mutual respect, and better communication within families, making it a meaningful and relatable lesson for students.
Mrs. Fitzgerald helps Mrs. Pearson by encouraging her to become more confident and assertive. She believes that Mrs. Pearson deserves greater respect from her family and should stop allowing others to take advantage of her kindness. Through an unusual exchange of personalities, Mrs. Fitzgerald demonstrates how confidence can change family dynamics. This experience teaches Mrs. Pearson to value herself and communicate her feelings openly. The transformation leads family members to reconsider their behavior. The chapter shows that self-respect is essential for earning respect from others and maintaining healthy relationships.
Mrs. Pearson’s transformation is significant because it changes the way her family views and treats her. Previously, she accepted unreasonable demands without complaint. After becoming more confident, she expresses her opinions openly and expects better behavior from family members. This shift surprises her family and encourages them to appreciate her contributions. The story demonstrates that people often recognize someone’s value only when familiar patterns change. Mrs. Pearson’s growth inspires readers to develop self-confidence and communicate their needs respectfully. The chapter ultimately promotes balance, fairness, and mutual understanding within family life.