NCERT Solutions - Mother's Day

Q1: This play, written in the 1950s, is a humorous and satirical depiction of the status of the mother in the family. 
(i) What are the issues it raises?
Ans: "Mother's Day" is a humorous satire that highlights the often overlooked and unappreciated role of women in the family. The play criticises the unequal distribution of household labour, where mothers and wives are expected to work constantly without acknowledgment or reward. These women manage the home, care for the family, and make many sacrifices, yet they rarely receive recognition. The play shows how husbands are occupied with their work and children are absorbed in their own lives, leaving the woman feeling invisible and unappreciated. It emphasises that mothers and wives deserve rest, appreciation and the chance to enjoy their own lives without being burdened by restrictive social expectations.

(ii) Do you think it caricatures these issues or do you think that the problems it raises are genuine? How does the play resolve the issues? Do you agree with the resolution? 
Ans: The problems raised in the play are genuine rather than merely caricatured. Satire and exaggeration are used as dramatic devices to draw attention to real concerns: the invisibility of domestic labour, assumptions about women's roles and the lack of appreciation they receive. In the play, Mrs Pearson feels isolated and neglected because her family members are too busy to notice her contributions. This situation reflects a common social pattern in which tireless service is taken for granted.

The play resolves the issue by using a comic but revealing device: Mrs Fitzgerald, by refusing to perform household duties after switching places, forces the family to confront how much they depend on Mrs Pearson. When the household routines break down, the family recognises her importance and begins to appreciate her. The resolution is satisfying as a piece of drama because it brings about a clear change in attitude within the household. However, while this ending works well on stage, it also prompts a thoughtful question: in real life, such sudden realisations do not always lead to lasting change. Nevertheless, as a theatrical lesson, the play effectively encourages audiences to reconsider taken-for-granted roles and to value the labour that sustains family life.

This is the model answer  provided for students' reference. It is strongly recommended that students prepare the answer on their own. 

Q2: If you were to write about these issues today what are some of the incidents, examples and problems that you would think of as relevant?
Ans: Although society has progressed in many ways, several issues from Mother's Day remain relevant today. Many women still balance professional work with the bulk of household responsibilities and childcare, often without sufficient support or recognition. In dual-career families, working mothers frequently manage paid employment alongside unpaid domestic labour, leading to stress and lack of personal time. Emotional labour - the work of managing family relationships and remembering birthdays, appointments and care needs - is another burdensome expectation that often falls disproportionately on women.

Contemporary examples include mothers working from home who are expected to manage professional tasks while also supervising children's online schooling, and new parents where maternal leave is limited while fathers are not always encouraged to share childcare. In some communities there is pressure for women to remain available to serve family needs without question. To address these problems, families and society need to promote shared responsibilities, encourage men's involvement in domestic work, and create supportive workplace policies such as flexible hours and adequate parental leave. Respect, appreciation and practical sharing of household duties are essential to give women the opportunity to lead balanced and fulfilling lives.

This is the model answer  provided for students' reference. It is strongly recommended that students prepare the answer on their own. 

Q3: Is drama a good medium for conveying a social message? Discuss.
Ans: Drama is an effective medium for conveying social messages because it presents human situations through characters, action and dialogue, which helps the audience to empathise and reflect. Live performance creates immediacy: spectators see behaviour played out and the consequences that follow, which can make moral and social points more convincing than abstract argument alone. In Mother's Day, satire and humour enable the audience to examine issues of gender inequality and the undervaluation of women's work without feeling preached to.

Drama also encourages discussion after a performance. Theatre, film and television can reach diverse audiences and prompt debate in classrooms, families and communities. Comedy and satire are particularly useful because they open up difficult subjects in a way that is engaging and thought-provoking rather than merely sentimental. Therefore, drama remains a powerful tool for raising awareness, changing attitudes and promoting social reform.

This is the model answer  provided for students' reference. It is strongly recommended that students prepare the answer on their own. 

Q4: Read the play out in parts. Enact the play on a suitable occasion.
Ans: The play's title, Mother's Day, suggests that a natural occasion for performance is the second Sunday in May, when Mother's Day is widely celebrated. That day is observed internationally to honour mothers and motherhood. The celebration was popularised by Anna Jarvis in the United States; she organised a memorial event in West Virginia in 1908 to honour her mother and to encourage public recognition of mothers' work.

However, because the play examines how mothers are often taken for granted, it can be performed on many other suitable occasions, such as school functions, community gatherings or events that focus on family and gender issues. Any performance should aim to prompt reflection among the audience about sharing household responsibilities and showing appreciation, so that the play's central lesson encourages practical change in everyday life.

The movie encourages viewers, especially young people, to pursue their talents despite hardship and to recognise achievement irrespective of background. In a classroom discussion, students may mention other dramas or films that address social reform, explain their central message, and reflect on how performance or storytelling can motivate audiences to think differently and act more justly.