Character Sketch: Mother's Day | English Class 11 PDF Download

Character Sketch of Doris Pearson

Doris Pearson was the daughter of Mrs. Pearson who was in her early twenties. She was pretty but lacked the experience to understand the complexities of life. She believes that money is the most important thing in life and is easily influenced. She looks pleasant but she is a ‘spoilt’ child. She makes her mother run after her all the time. She wants her to do everything for her like serve her tea, iron her clothes, etc.

Detailed Pointers

1. Physical Appearance:

• Doris Pearson is described as a pretty young woman.
• Despite her physical appeal, her spoiled nature can detract from her pleasant appearance.

2. Personality Traits:

• Defiant and Discourteous: Doris often displays defiance towards her mother, Mrs. Pearson, and can be disrespectful in her interactions.
• Impulsive: Her decision to cancel plans with Charlie Spence based on her mother's comments demonstrates a degree of impulsiveness.
• Emotional Vulnerability: Doris shows vulnerability and sensitivity despite her assertiveness and defiance. She tends to cry easily and becomes upset quickly.
• Spoiled Nature: Displays entitlement and a tendency to expect things to go her way, contributing to conflicts within the family dynamic.

3. Emotional State:

• She demonstrates vulnerability and sensitivity, as evidenced by her tendency to cry and become upset quickly.
• Shows a range of emotions, from sobbing to frustration, indicating a depth of feeling and sensitivity.

4. Relationship with Family:

• Doris appears to have a strained relationship with her mother, Mrs Pearson, possibly due to clashes in personality and differing opinions.
• Her spoiled nature may contribute to conflicts within the family dynamic.

5. Interactions with Others:

• Her emotional state influences her interactions with other characters such as her father, George, and family friend, Mrs. Fitzgerald.
• Reacts strongly to perceived criticism or negative remarks, suggesting a sensitivity to external opinions.

Character Sketch of Cyril

Cyril is the masculine counterpart of Doris and is also ‘spoiled’ like his sister. He is in the habit of treating his mother very casually. He makes his mother run all the time doing one thing or the other. He takes his mother for granted. He expects his mother to cook for him, clean, fetch his things, iron his clothes and make his life easier, without lifting a finger to help her.

Detailed Pointers

1. Personality Traits:

• Casual and Laid-back: Cyril is relaxed and not overly concerned about responsibilities or serious matters.
• Self-centred: Tends to think more about his needs and interests than his family members.
• Conformist: He often goes along with the status quo and does not challenge or question much about his family dynamics.

2. Behavior Towards Family:

• Dependent: Relies on his mother for various needs, such as meals and general care.
• Unaware: He does not fully recognise and appreciate the amount of work his mother does for the family.
• Respectful but Distant: He maintains a respectful tone but is emotionally distant from his parents.
• Friendly: Generally amiable in his interactions with others.
• Superficial: His interactions lack depth and genuine concern, indicating a focus on surface-level engagements.

3. Role in the Pearson Family Dynamic:

• Passive: Takes a backseat in family matters, allowing others to make decisions and take charge.
• Recipient of Care: He is more of a recipient of his mother's care than a contributor to household responsibilities.

4. Development Throughout the Play:

• Initial Ignorance: The play begins with his unawareness of his mother's feelings and her burdens.
• Growing Awareness: Gradually becomes more aware of his mother's dissatisfaction and the need for change in family dynamics.
• Potential for Change: The end of the play hints at Cyril's possible transformation into a more considerate and responsible person.

Character Sketch of Mrs. Pearson

Mrs Pearson is a loving mother and a gentle wife. She is in her forties. She works hard to keep her husband and children happy. Mrs Pearson is neglected by her family and treated as a slave. In spite of their ill-treatment, neglect and exploitation, she loves them all. She has forgotten her individuality and the respect that she deserves in her family. She lives for her family and has forgotten that she has a life of her own. However, Mrs Fitzgerald brings about a change in her personality by helping her to become more assertive and dominating at the end.

Detailed Pointers

1. Age: In her forties.

2. Physical Appearance: Pleasant-looking but worried and anxious.

3. Voice and Tone:

• Speaks in a light, flurried tone.
• Has a touch of suburban Cockney in her accent.

4. Personality Traits:

• She is kind and gentle but often taken for granted by her family.
• Unassertive and accommodating, she rarely stands up for herself initially.
• Worried and anxious, especially about pleasing her family.

5. Role in the Play:

• Central character whose transformation drives the plot.
• She is initially portrayed as a downtrodden housewife who does everything for her family without receiving much appreciation.
• Through the influence of Mrs. Fitzgerald, she becomes more assertive and demands respect from her family.

6. Interactions with Other Characters:

• Initially submissive in her interactions with her husband George, daughter Doris, and son Cyril.
• After the identity swap with Mrs Fitzgerald, she becomes more assertive and challenges her family's behaviour.
• She gains respect and changes the dynamics within her family by the end of the play.

7. Impact on the Plot:

• Her transformation is crucial to the play's exploration of self-respect and empowerment and the importance of balanced family relationships.
• Demonstrates the importance of mutual respect within a family and the need for personal boundaries.

8. Behaviour and Actions:

• Initially does all the household chores without complaint.
• After the swap, she refuses to be a doormat and stands up for herself.
• She begins to assert her own needs and desires, leading to a shift in the family dynamics.

Character Sketch of George Pearson

George Pearson is the husband of Mrs. Pearson. He is a spoiled brat. He is a person who is essentially honourable however who comes through as solemn, self-important, pompous, heavy, and slow-moving. He is a dominating husband who would force his wife to do things for him and in case it is not done at that time, he would shout at her. He is similar to his spoiled daughter Doris and his spoiled son Cyril. He is a pompous man who would never shout at the bartender for being late but would never fail to shout at his wife. He would spend the majority of his spare time with his buddies to play snooker and socialize with one another. He is taken aback when his wife calls him by his name. Mrs Fitzgerald’s spirit inhabiting Mrs Pearson’s frame hit in reorienting him. In conclusion, we discover him to be a converted husband.

Detailed Pointers

1. Age: About fifty years old.

2. Appearance:

• Fundamentally decent in appearance.
• Solemn expression.
• Hefty build, suggesting a heavy and slow-moving demeanour.

3. Personality Traits:

• Self-important and takes himself very seriously.
• Pompous and somewhat arrogant in his demeanour.
• Decent at heart but often insensitive and oblivious to others' feelings.

4. Role in the Play:

• Represents the traditional patriarchal figure within the family.
• Initially portrayed as dominating and dismissive of others' opinions.
• His interactions with his wife and children reflect a lack of understanding and empathy.

5. Interactions with Other Characters:

• Dominates conversations and decisions within the family.
• He often dismisses his wife's concerns and opinions.
• His reaction to Mrs. Fitzgerald calling him by his first name highlights his desire for formality and respect (the same applies to Cyril Pearosn).

6. Behaviour and Actions:

• He spends a significant amount of time at the club, which causes friction at home.
• He is insensitive to his wife's emotional state and dismisses her worries.
• He reacts defensively when confronted with uncomfortable truths about his behaviour.
• George's discomfort with Mrs. Fitzgerald's presence shows his unease with outsiders witnessing his family's internal issues.

7. Impact on the Plot:

• His character illustrates the challenges of traditional gender roles and expectations.
• His character develops through conflict with Mrs. Pearson. He confronts his flaws and the consequences of his actions.
• George is portrayed as a traditionalist, rigid in his views and actions, yet vulnerable to criticism and internal family dynamics.
• Reflects on the consequences of neglecting family responsibilities and emotional support.

Character Sketch of Mrs. Fitzgerald

Mrs Fitzgerald is a neighbour of Mrs. Pearson. She is a quite experienced and smart woman who knows some esoteric magic that she learned in the East. She has a deep voice with an Irish accent. Mrs Fitzgerald is a strong, dominating and bold lady. She feels strongly that the woman should be the mistress of her own house. She is very intelligent also. She knows how to cure people of their waywardness. She helped Mrs. Pearson to set her spoiled husband and children right.

Detailed Pointers

1. Age: Older than Mrs Pearson, likely in her late forties or fifties.

2. Physical Appearance:

• Heavier build, suggesting a more imposing physical presence.
• Often depicted smoking, which adds to her strong and somewhat sinister aura.

3. Voice and Tone: Has a deep voice, possibly with an Irish accent, contrasting sharply with Mrs. Pearson's lighter, more flurried tone.

4. Life:

• Wife of a Lieutenanant Quatermaster.
• She learned twelve years of fortune-telling in the East.

5. Personality Traits:

• Strong and assertive, able to take control of situations and influence others.
• Sinister and intimidating, able to evoke a sense of unease or respect from those around her.
• Confident and unafraid to speak her mind, often providing candid and direct advice.

6. Role in the Play:

• Act as a catalyst for change in Mrs Pearson's behaviour, encouraging her to stand up for herself and assert her needs and desires.
• She uses her influence to challenge the dynamics within the Pearson family, transforming their interactions.

7. Interactions with Other Characters:

• Takes a dominant role in her interactions with Mrs. Pearson, guiding and instructing her.
• Viewed with a mix of respect and apprehension by the Pearson family due to her strong personality.

8. Impact on the Plot:

• Her decision to swap identities with Mrs. Pearson is central to the play's exploration of themes like self-respect and family dynamics.
• Her actions and advice lead to significant changes in the behaviour of the Pearson family members, driving the play's resolution.