Chapter 5: Mother's Day

Mother’s Day

By J.B. Priestly

About The Author

J.B. Priestley was born on 13th September 1894 in the UK. He was an English novelist, playwright, screenwriter, etc. and his notable works are An Inspector Calls, Dangerous Corners When we are Married, etc. through this play, he wants the readers to understand how much a mother works for her family and still does not get any kind of respect and everybody wants her for granted.

Introduction:

The play revolves around a mother who takes help from her friend to earn respect in her own family. The author brings out and tells that how a mother is not treated well by her husband and children and she has to take the help of a third person to earn what she deserves.  With the help of her neighbor friend Mrs. Fitzgerald, she exchanges roles and stands up for her rights.

Summary :

Mrs. Annie Pearson and Mrs. Fitzgerald are neighbor friends but are very different in nature. Annie is a pleasant woman and she is in her forties. She looks a little bit nervous and despite taking care of her family, she didn’t get respect and love in return. On the other hand, her neighbor was a lady of a strong personality and broad-mindedness. She is older than Annie. Annie has a soft voice whereas Fitzgerald has a very heavy voice.  Mrs. Fitzgerald has learned the art of fortune-telling from the east. And she advises Annie to be more specific with her family in terms of her rights and respect. She advises her to be the boss of the family and take command of the house. Annie was not treated well by her husband and her children. She was just working day and night like a servant of the family who does not get any pay for this 24 hrs service.

Mrs. Fitzgerald makes a plan to change her family’s attitude toward her. So, she suggested changing their personality by using a magic spell. She took Annie’s hand, spoke some magic spells, and exchanged their personality.  Annie got scared a little bit but Fitzgerald told her that we exchange into our own later on. Now, Annie moves to Fitzgerald’s house and relaxes there. When her elder daughter entered the room she was left flabbergasted when she saw her mom playing cards and smoking. Dorris asked her for her yellow dress but she didn’t reply and continued in her own world. She then asked her to make tea. She also told her to iron her dress herself and make tea on her own.  She also made fun of her boyfriend and left Dorris in tears. As soon as Cyril entered the house and demanded tea angrily. The mother does not respond and says she is not at all bothered to do so. Cyril replied that he cannot make it on his own so requested her, mother was not in a mood to do any work. Then Cyril asked for his clothes, that also she replied that she has not done her clothes ready. Cyril got angered and asked her for her behavior and tone. The mother replied that all three of them also talked with her in the same tone so now why they all are feeling bad. Further, she said that she has become a member of the union and gets what she deserves the best.

When Dorris enters wearing a shoulder strap, mother taunts her and both of them argue. Cyril was left shocked when her mother (Annie) demanded beer for a drink. He was not able to understand what was going on in the house that day. Now both Dorris and Cyril are left in shock and discuss her mother’s behavior. Both of them giggled in between the conversation when they thought about what will happen when their father will come.  Dorris asked her about their fault and Annie said that she was hurt by the family’s behavior towards her. It bothered her the most. The family never asked her about her feelings or what she wants. They all are using her for their work and care. In return, she always does those things that are best for him.  She told them that all of them get holidays and weekends to enjoy. But she continues her work seven days a week without even thinking about holidays and enjoyment. On top of it, the family is never grateful or thankful for her. They are always taking her for granted.  Now, she also wanted to take off for two days. She also wished to go out as no one took her or asked her. Dorris was shocked when their mother asked for holidays on weekends.

When Mr. George entered and was annoyed with Annie as she was sipping beer. He was about 50 years old and considered him very important. He just told her that he will have supper at the club. The wife told that she has not made tea at all and to this George was annoyed as she was not bothered about him. After that, Annie retorts to him about why he goes daily to the club when everyone laughs at him.  She told me that he was called Pompyompy Pearson at the club. George was shocked at her behavior and the tone she was using in front of her. So, he confirms her with his son, Cyril. Annie said that sometimes we have to be sadistic and hurt feelings only then the person realizes. On hearing a knock at the door, Annie told Cyril to open and let Mrs. Fitzgerald enter. Real Annie enters the house and finds that her daughter was crying very badly.

Mrs. Fitzgerald was scolding them in front of real Annie also.  When George threatens her, she also retorts and threatens him that she will give a slap on her big fat face. Real Annie was feeling sad to see all this and wanted everyone to leave as she wanted to talk with Mrs. Fitzgerald (Annie). She told me that now she wants to be back at her place and stop this game at once. Mrs. Fitzgerald was herself ready and spelled her magic words again to exchange and get back their roles. They both were happy as they enjoyed the whole day. Mrs. Fitzgerald told Annie to be firm in her attitude like this only and do not care to make an apology or give justification for her behavior. After going back to her room when the family arrives she plans to play a game of rummy with them. She smiled and the family felt relaxed. The play ends on a happy note and Annie asked about what they would like to have for dinner. She also wants to have a conversation with her husband.

Mother’s Day Lesson Explanation

The following play is a humorous portrayal of the status of the mother in a family. Let’s read on to see how Mrs. Pearson’s family reacts when she tries to stand up for her rights.

Characters

MRS ANNIE PEARSON

GEORGE PEARSON

DORIS PEARSON

CYRIL PEARSON

MRS FITZGERALD

The action takes place in the living room of the Pearson's house in a London suburb.

Time: The Present

Scene: The living room of the Pearson family. Afternoon. It is a comfortably furnished, much lived-in room in a small suburban semi-detached villa. If necessary only one door needs are used, but it is better with two — one up left leading to the front door and the stairs and the other in the right wall leading to the kitchen and the back door. There can be a muslin-covered window in the left wall and possibly one in the right wall, too. The fireplace is assumed to be on the fourth wall. There is a settee upright, an armchair down left, and one downright. A small table with two chairs on either side of it stands at the center. When the curtain rises it is an afternoon in early autumn and the stage can be well lit. Mrs. Pearson at right, and Mrs. Fitzgerald at left, are sitting opposite each other at the small table, on which are two teacups and saucers and the cards with which Mrs. Fitzgerald has been telling Mrs. Pearson’s fortune. Mrs. Pearson is a pleasant but worried-looking woman in her forties. Mrs. Fitzgerald is older, heavier, and has a strong and sinister personality. She is smoking. It is very important that these two should have sharply contrasting voices —Mrs. Pearson speaking in a light, flurried sort of tone, with a touch of suburban Cockney perhaps; and Mrs. Fitzgerald with a deep voice, rather Irish perhaps.

Mrs. FITZGERALD: [collecting up the cards] And that’s all I can tell you, Mrs. Pearson. Could be a good fortune. Could be a bad one. It all depends on yourself now. Make up your mind—and there it is.

The story begins with both Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. Fitzgerald sitting opposite each other at Mrs. Pearson’s place. Mrs. Fitzgerald is a fortune-teller and she has supposedly seen Mrs. Pearson’s fortune, thus, she continues to say that she has told her all that is within her capacity to tell. The same reading can work in a positive way if Mrs. Pearson’s actions are in sync with it or it could turn out to be bad too.

Mrs. PEARSON: Yes, thank you, Mrs. Fitzgerald. I’m much obliged, I’m sure. It’s wonderful having a real fortune-teller living next door. Did you learn that out East, too?

Mrs. Pearson expresses her gratitude towards Mrs. Fitzgerald for having seen her fortune and shares how great it is to have someone like her around. She then asks her if she (Mrs. Fitzgerald) has learned the art of fortune-telling from the East.

Mrs. FITZGERALD: I did. Twelve years I had of it, with my old man rising to be Lieutenant Quartermaster. He learned a lot, and I learned a lot more. But will you make up your mind now, Mrs. Pearson dear? Put your foot down, once an’ for all, an’ be the mistress of your own house an’ the boss of your own family.

Mrs. Fitzgerald answers that she did learn the art from the East for at least twelve years. While her father was climbing the ladder to becoming Lieutenant Quartermaster, she was learning this. She then motivates Mrs. Pearson to stand for herself and get the respect she deserves at her home.

Mrs. PEARSON: [smiling apologetically] that’s easier said than done. Besides I’m so fond of them even if they are so thoughtless and selfish. They don’t mean to be…

Word meaning -

Thoughtless- (of a person or their behavior) not showing consideration for the needs of other people

Here Mrs. Pearson replies to Mrs. Fitzgerald’s advice by telling her it’s far more difficult than it sounds. This is because she loves her family even if they ignore her needs. She loves to provide for them even if they are self-centered.

Mrs. FITZGERALD: [cutting in] maybe not. But it’d be better for them if they learned to treat you properly…

Mrs. Fitzgerald wants Mrs. Pearson to realize that it is not that difficult if she really tries. Moreover, she thinks it would add to their well-being as well if they behaved with love and respect with her

Mrs. PEARSON: Yes, I suppose it would, in a way.

Mrs. Pearson agrees with what Mrs. Fitzgerald has to say

Mrs. FITZGERALD: No doubt about it at all. Who’s the better for being spoilt—grown man, lad or girl? Nobody. You think it does ’em good when you run after them all the time, take their orders as if you were the servant in the house, stay at home every night while they go out enjoying themselves? Never in all your life. It’s the ruin of them as well as you. Husbands, sons, daughters should be taking notice of wives an’ mothers, not giving ’em orders an’ treating ’em like dirt. An’ don’t tell me you don’t know what I mean, for I know more than you’ve told me.

Mrs. Fitzgerald says they need to learn to treat Mrs. Pearson certainly. She further adds that none of them (husband, daughter and son) have turned out positively as a result of being spoiled by Mrs. Pearson. She enables her to see how running after them, handling their tantrums, doing all their tasks for them and staying home while they enjoy every night is harmful to Mrs. Pearson as well as her family. She explains how it should be the other way round; the family must treat wives and mothers with full respect and be after them instead of throwing orders. Mrs. Fitzgerald blatantly tells Mrs. Pearson not to act unknown as she is completely aware of the situation.

Mrs. PEARSON: [dubiously] I—keep dropping a hint…

Word meaning -

Dubiously- with hesitation or doubt

Mrs. Pearson hesitantly says that she often tries to give her and the family clues in between conversations

Mrs. FITZGERALD: Hint? It’s more than hints your family needs, Mrs. Pearson.

Mrs. Fitzgerald is trying to make her understand that it’s high time and Mrs. Pearson’s family should respect her now and that would require more than just clues. They need to be brought on track.

MRS PEARSON: [dubiously] I suppose it is. But I do hate any unpleasantness. And it’s so hard to know where to start. I keep making up my mind to have it out with them but somehow I don’t know how to begin. [She glances at her watch or at a clock] Oh —good gracious! Look at the time. Nothing ready and they’ll be home any minute and probably all in a hurry to go out again.

[As she is about to rise, Mrs. Fitzgerald reaches out across the table and pulls her down.]

Mrs. Pearson understands what Mrs. Fitzgerald is trying to say but she can’t stand giving them any discomfort. She wants to clear it out with her family and take her stand but she just doesn’t know how to take the first step. Just as she is saying this, she notices that it’s time for everyone to come back home. Immediately, she gets worried about how nothing is ready for them to come home to and they’ll probably have to rush out again. She tries to get up and make arrangements for her family, Mrs. Fitzgerald stops her from doing so.

Mrs. FITZGERALD: Let ’em wait or look after themselves for once. This is where your foot goes down. Start now. [She lights a cigarette from the one she has just finished.]

Very easily, while lighting another cigarette, she asks Mrs. Pearson to begin at the very moment. She tells her to stop providing for them all the time and let them experience what it feels like to do things on their own.

Mrs. PEARSON: [embarrassed] Mrs. Fitzgerald —I know you mean well —in fact, I agree with you—but I just can’t—and it’s no use you trying to make me. If I promise you I’d really have it out with them, I know I wouldn’t be able to keep my promise.

Even though in the hearts of hearts Mrs. Pearson knows that Mrs. Fitzgerald is right, she tells her that it is almost impossible for her to obey it. She feels that there is no point in giving a promise she won’t be able to keep.

Mrs. FITZGERALD: Then let me do it.

She asks Mrs. Pearson to let her do the hard part and teach Mrs. Pearson’s family a lesson.

Mrs. PEARSON: [flustered] Oh no—thank you very much, Mrs. Fitzgerald —but that wouldn’t do at all. It couldn’t possibly be somebody else — they’d resent it at once and wouldn’t listen— and really I couldn’t blame them. I know I ought to do it— but you see how it is? [She looks apologetically across the table, smiling rather miserably.]

Word meaning -

Flustered- agitated or confused

Resent- feel bitterness or indignation at a circumstance, action, or person

Mrs. Pearson tells her that she doesn’t think it’s a good idea. She says so because she knows that they might react to her changed behavior at first but then would ignore it and resort to their old ways. Also, Mrs. Pearson doesn’t blame them for this. She feels stuck because she knows it needs to be done but is unable to do it.

Mrs. FITZGERALD: [coolly] you haven’t got the idea.

She tells Mrs. Pearson that she has no idea how successful the idea can be

Mrs. PEARSON: [bewildered] Oh —I’m sorry—I thought you asked me to let you do it.

She thought that Mrs. Fitzgerald wanted to take her place in the house and be strict with her family.

Mrs. FITZGERALD: I did. But not as me— as you.

She affirms that she meant the same but she will not be taking her place as herself. She will become Mrs. Pearson and then do her part.

Mrs. PEARSON: But—I don’t understand. You couldn’t be me.

As confused as she can be at the moment, Mrs. Pearson asks Mrs. Fitzgerald to be a bit more elaborate.

Mrs. FITZGERALD: [coolly] we change places. Or — really — bodies. You look like me. I look like you.

She proposes that they switch their places or in other words, change bodies wherein Mrs. Fitzgerald will look like Mrs. Pearson and vice-versa.

Mrs. PEARSON: But that’s impossible.

A bit more confused and now even surprised, Mrs. Pearson expresses that this is something not possible.

Mrs. FITZGERALD: How do you know? Ever tried it?

Mrs. Fitzgerald questions her response by asking Mrs. Pearson if she has ever tried it.

Mrs. PEARSON: No, of course not…

Quite obviously, Mrs. Pearson had never attempted it

Mrs. FITZGERALD: [coolly] I have. Not for some time but it still ought to work. Won’t last long, but long enough for what we want to do. Learned it out East, of course, where they’re up to all these tricks. [She holds her hand out across the table, keeping the cigarette in her mouth] Gimme your hands, dear.

In a very relaxed tone, Mrs. Fitzgerald tells her that she has tried it before and even though it’s been long, the trick should work. Its effect will remain for a short period but enough for them to fulfill their motive. She further added while holding Mrs. Pearson’s hands, that she had acquired the trick from the East.

Mrs. PEARSON: [dubiously] well —I don’t know —is it right?

Still confused, Mrs. Pearson seeks assurance from Mrs. Fitzgerald.

Mrs. FITZGERALD: It’s your only chance. Give me your hands an’ keep quiet a minute. Just don’t think about anything. [Taking her hands] Now look at me. [They stare at each other. Muttering] Arshtatta dum—arshtatta lam—arshtatta lamdumbona… [This little scene should be acted very carefully. We are to assume that the personalities change bodies. After the spell has been spoken, both women, still grasping hands, go lax, as if the life were out of them. Then both come to life, but with the personality of the other. Each must try to adopt the voice and mannerisms of the other. So now Mrs. Pearson is bold and dominating and Mrs. Fitzgerald is nervous and fluttering.]

Well, Mrs. Fitzgerald makes her aware that she has no other option while holding her hands. She gives Mrs. Pearson a few simple instructions in the process of transmission and says a few words in her mouth. Once she has whispered the spell, both of their bodies become lifeless for a moment while they are still holding each other’s hands. As they both come back to life, they try to imitate each other. Mrs. Fitzgerald is now a bit shy and Mrs. Pearson has become unafraid.

Mrs. PEARSON: [now with Mrs. Fitzgerald’s personality] see what I mean, dear? [She notices the cigarette] Here—you don’t want that. [She snatches it and puts it in her own mouth, puffing contentedly.]

The personalities have now been switched and with this, the transmission process is complete. While snatching away the cigarette from Mrs. Fitzgerald’s hand (who is now Mrs. Pearson), she is confident about the success of her trick.

[Mrs. Fitzgerald, now with Mrs. Pearson’s personality, looks down at herself and sees that her body has changed and gives a scream of fright.]

Mrs. Fitzgerald (who is now Mrs. Pearson) looks at herself and she is shocked to see herself in the body of Mrs. Fitzgerald. Thus, she screams with fright.

Mrs. FITZGERALD: [with Mrs. Pearson’s personality] oh —it’s happened.

Mrs. Fitzgerald, still in shock, now believes that it is possible and their bodies have actually changed

Mrs. PEARSON: [complacently] Of course it’s happened. Very neat. Didn’t know I had it in me.

Word meaning -

Complacently- showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one’s achievements

Very proudly, Mrs. Pearson affirms and thinks to herself that she was unsure if she still had the ability to do the magic

Mrs. FITZGERALD: [alarmed] But whatever shall I do, Mrs. Fitzgerald? George and the children can’t see me like this.

Still unclear about her idea, Mrs. Pearson (now in the body of Mrs. Fitzgerald) is worried that her family can’t see her in the body of Mrs. Fitzgerald

Mrs. PEARSON: [grimly] they aren’t going to — that’s the point. They’ll have me to deal with —only they won’t know it.

Word meaning -

Grimly- bitter, hard manner

She very harshly tells worried Mrs. Pearson that her family will face Mrs. Fitzgerald who is now in her body. The secret is only theirs and the family will not know anything about it.

Mrs. FITZGERALD: [still alarmed] But what if we can’t change back? It’d be terrible.

She is still frightened about the consequences and is worried about not being able to reverse the magic.

Mrs. PEARSON: Here—steady, Mrs. Pearson —if you had to live my life it wouldn’t be so bad. You’d have more fun as me than you’ve had as you.

In an attempt to comfort her, she tells the real Mrs. Pearson that she would anyway have more privilege and fun being Mrs. Fitzgerald while living her life.

Mrs. FITZGERALD: Yes—but I don’t want to be anybody else…

Still worried, she tells her that she wants to live as herself only and not like somebody else

Mrs. PEARSON: Now —stop worrying. It’s easier changing back —I can do it any time we want…

She comforts her by telling her that there is nothing to worry about and that she will reverse it whenever Mrs. Pearson wants

Mrs. FITZGERALD: Well—do it now…

Mrs. PEARSON: Not likely. I’ve got to deal with your family first. That’s the idea, isn’t it? Didn’t know how to begin with ‘em, you said. Well. I’ll show you.

Mrs. Pearson wants to get back in her body while Mrs. Fitzgerald is strong of the opinion that she should deal with the family first. Mrs. Pearson didn’t know where to begin from, so Mrs. Fitzgerald would do it for her.

Mrs. FITZGERALD: But what am I going to do?

She asks what she should do in the meantime.

Mrs. PEARSON: Go into my house for a bit—there’s nobody there— then pop back and see how we’re doing. You ought to enjoy it. Better get off now before one of ’em comes.

She instructs her to go to Mrs. Fitzgerald’s house which is vacant for now. She could visit in a while to see the progress but till then, she is supposed to take pleasure in the process. She then tells her to go before someone sees her.

Mrs. FITZGERALD: [nervously rising] Yes —I suppose that’s best. You’re sure it’ll be all right?

Realizing that this is happening, the now Mrs. Fitzgerald gets up to leave and confirms once again if all is going to work

Mrs. PEARSON: [chuckling] It’ll be wonderful. Now off you go, dear. [Mrs. Fitzgerald crosses and hurries out through the door right. Left to herself, Mrs. Pearson smokes away — lighting another cigarette — and begins laying out the cards for patience on the table. After a few moments, Doris Pearson comes bursting in left. She is a pretty girl in her early twenties, who would be pleasant enough if she had not been spoilt.]

Word meaning -

Chuckling- laugh quietly or inwardly

Mrs. Pearson reassures her and tells her to leave. While Mrs. Fitzgerald leaves, Mrs. Pearson attempts to make herself comfortable by lighting another cigarette and sorting her cards. After a while, Doris Pearson, a girl of about twenty or so enters. She is the daughter of Mrs. Pearson and had the potential of turning out well hadn’t she been over-pampered.

DORIS: [before she has taken anything in] Mum— you’ll have to iron my yellow silk. I must wear it tonight. [She now sees what is happening, and is astounded.] What are you doing? [She moves down left-center.]

Word meaning -

Astounded- shock or greatly surprise

Without noticing, Doris instructs her mom to iron her yellow silk dress as she is supposed to go out that night. As soon as she notices her mom, she is left startled and goes towards her.

[Mrs. Pearson now uses her ordinary voice, but her manner is not fluttering and apologetic but cool and incisive.]

MRS PEARSON: [not even looking up] what d’you think I’m doing—whitewashing the ceiling?

Word meaning -

Fluttering- trembling

Incisive- intelligently analytical and clear thinking

As she is about to speak, she uses her normally calm voice instead of the usual regretful and shaky voice. She looks at her and sarcastically asks her what according to her was she doing. Does it look like she is painting the ceiling?

DORIS: [still astounded] But you’re smoking!

She points out that her mother is smoking. The fact that she is so shocked highlights that Mrs. Pearson isn’t usually seen smoking.

MRS PEARSON: That’s right, dear. No law against it, is there?

Again in a very calm manner, Mrs. Pearson replies that she saw it right and tells her that apparently, there is no law against smoking.

DORIS: But I thought you didn’t smoke.

She is shocked because she thought Mrs. Pearson doesn’t smoke.

MRS PEARSON: Then you thought wrong.

She bluntly replies to Doris that she was wrong.

DORIS: Are we having tea in the kitchen?

Doris asks Mrs. Pearson if the tea is ready for her in the kitchen.

MRS PEARSON: Have it where you like, dear.

She tells her that she can have it wherever she wants

DORIS: [angrily] Do you mean it isn’t ready?

Annoyed, she asks if Mrs. Pearson is indicating that the tea is not ready.

MRS PEARSON: Yours isn’t. I’ve had all I want. Might go out later and get a square meal at the Clarendon.

Mrs. Pearson replies that she has had all the tea she wanted and there is none ready for Doris. She then shares that she might go out for a meal at the Clarendon.

DORIS: [hardly believing her ears] who might?

A bit more shocked, she asks Mrs. Pearson, who would go out for a meal?

MRS PEARSON: I might. Who d’you think?

Mrs. Pearson again tells her that she might go out for a meal. She is talking about herself only

DORIS: [staring at her] Mum —what’s the matter with you?

Doris senses that there is something wrong and asks Mrs. Pearson what’s gotten into her

MRS PEARSON: Don’t be silly.

DORIS: [indignantly] It’s not me that’s being silly— and I must say it’s a bit much when I’ve been working hard all day and you can’t even bother to get my tea ready. Did you hear what I said about my yellow silk?

Word meaning -

Indignantly - in a manner indicating anger or annoyance at something perceived as unfair

Thinking that it’s unfair to her, she exclaims that she is not being foolish. She thinks that it is hard to take that she has been working hard and when she comes home tired, she cannot even expect a cup of tea. She then asks Mrs. Pearson if she heard the instructions about her yellow silk

MRS PEARSON: No. Don’t you like it now? I never did.

Mrs. Pearson refuses to have heard anything about her dress. She asks Doris if she now likes being treated like how they have been treating Mrs. Pearson.

DORIS: [indignantly] Of course I like it. And I’m going to wear it tonight. So I want it ironed.

Rudely, she tells Mrs. Pearson that she has no problem with it and that she wants her yellow dress ironed so that she can wear it

MRS PEARSON: Want it ironed? What d’you think it’s going to do—iron itself?

Mrs. Pearson asks Doris what she means when she says she wants the dress “ironed” because the dress isn’t going to get ironed itself.

DORIS: No, you’re going to iron it for me… You always do.

Doris tells her that she wants Mrs. Pearson to do it like she always does.

MRS PEARSON: Well, this time I don’t. And don’t talk rubbish to me about working hard. I have a good idea how much you do, Doris Pearson. I put in twice the hours you do, and get no wages nor thanks for it. Why are you going to wear your yellow silk? Where are you going?

Mrs. Pearson refuses to iron her dress this time and tells her not to brag about the long hours she works for because Mrs. Pearson herself works twice the hours as Doris and has never once complained in her life, nor has she been thanked for it. She doesn’t even get paid. She then asks Doris where she is supposed to go that night.

DORIS: [sulkily] out with Charlie Spence.

Word meaning -

Sulkily- a disagreeable mood

She replies that she is supposed to go out for dinner with Charlie Spence.

MRS PEARSON: Why?

She asks Doris on what occasion is she going out with Charlie

DORIS: [wildly] Why? Why? What’s the matter with you? Why shouldn’t I go out with Charlie Spence if he asks me and I want to? Any objections? Go on —you might as well tell me…

She gets further annoyed and tells her that Charlie has asked her out and she wants to go. She irritably asks Mrs. Pearson if she objects to that too, if yes, she might as well spit it out. Doris doesn’t understand what has gotten into her mother as she has been acting weirdly.

MRS PEARSON: [severely] can’t you find anybody better? I wouldn’t be seen dead with Charlie Spence. Buck teeth and half-witted…

Mrs. Pearson asks her very seriously if she could find anyone better than Charlie Spence. She thinks he doesn’t look that nice and is also not very intelligent.

DORIS: He isn’t…

She tries to defend Charlie Spence

MRS PEARSON: When I was your age I’d have found somebody better than Charlie Spence—or given myself up as a bad job.

Mrs. Pearson brags that she would have done a better job at finding a good boy, someone who must have been better than Charlie Spence. Had she failed at doing so, she would have given up finding anyone declaring that she is bad at it.

DORIS: [nearly in tears] Oh —shut up!

Almost crying, she asks Mrs. Pearson to stop picking at her

[Doris runs out left. Mrs. Pearson chuckles and begins putting the cards together. After a moment Cyril Pearson enters left. He is the masculine counterpart of Doris.]

CYRIL: [briskly] Hello—Mum. Is tea ready?

Word meaning -

Briskly- in an active, quick, or energetic way

Cyril, Mrs. Pearson’s son asks her if the tea is made as soon as he reaches home.

MRS PEARSON: No.

CYRIL: [moving to the table; annoyed] Why not?

Mrs. Pearson tells him that the tea is not ready which annoys him and thus, he moves towards the table asking her the reason behind the tea being not made.

MRS PEARSON: [coolly] I couldn’t bother.

CYRIL: Feeling off-color or something?

Mrs. Pearson tells him in a very relaxed way that she didn’t bother making tea for him. Cyril, out of concern asks if all is good with her.

MRS PEARSON: Never felt better in my life.

Being all chilled out, she conveys that she is feeling her best

CYRIL: [aggressively] what’s the idea then?

On hearing her reply, he turns argumentative and asks her to explain

MRS PEARSON: Just a change.

Mrs. Pearson says the tea is not ready just to break the monotony

CYRIL: [briskly] well, snap out of it, Ma—and get cracking. Haven’t too much time. [Cyril is about to go when Mrs. Pearson’s voice checks him.]

Word meaning -

Briskly- In an active, quick, or energetic way

Cracking- fast

He tells her to stop resting and make tea for him in a commanding tone. He tells her that he is in a hurry like usual.

MRS PEARSON: I’ve plenty of time.

As Cyril is about to leave, Mrs. Pearson stops him and says that he might be in a hurry but she is all relaxed because she has plenty of time.

CYRIL: Yes, but I haven’t. Got a busy night tonight. [Moving left to the door] Did you put my things out?

Cyril, being a spoiled child, replies that he is short of time and it is going to be a long night. He asks Mrs. Pearson if all his things are ready.

MRS PEARSON: [coolly] can’t remember. But I doubt it.

In a very chilled-out manner, she says she can’t recall taking them out, probably because she didn’t take them out.

CYRIL: [moving to the table; protesting] Now —look. When I asked you this morning, you promised. You said you’d have to look through ‘em first in case there was any mending.

In an attempt to raise an objection, Cyril moves towards Mrs. Pearson and reminds her that she promised him to keep them ready. She even committed to fixing them in case they needed any repairs.

MRS PEARSON: Yes — well now I’ve decided I don’t like mending.

Mrs. Pearson says that she has now changed her mind because she has realized that she doesn’t like sewing (or fixing)

CYRIL: That’s a nice way to talk — what would happen if we all talked like that?

He objects to Mrs. Pearson’s way of speaking and asks her how she would feel if all of them talked to her like that.

MRS PEARSON: You all do talk like that. If there’s something at home you don’t want to do, you don’t do it. If it’s something at your work, you get the Union to bar it. Now all that’s happened is that I’ve joined the movement.

Mrs. Pearson clarifies that they already talk to her in an objectionable tone. They do what they want and leave what they don’t. At home, they have been given this privilege, and is the situation in the office where if they do not like something, they get the Union to interfere. She mentions that what has now changed is that she has started acting the same way where she won’t do what she doesn’t want to.

CYRIL: [staggered] I don’t get this, Mum. What’s going on?

Word meaning -

Staggered- astonish or deeply shock

Deeply shocked by his mom’s reply, he attempts to know what the matter is

MRS PEARSON: [laconic and sinister] Changes.

Word meaning -

Laconic- using very few words

Sinister- giving the impression that something harmful or evil is happening or will happen

Choosing not to speak a lot, she implies that things are going to change from now on

[Doris enters left. She is in the process of dressing and is now wearing a wrap. She looks pale and red-eyed.]

MRS PEARSON: You look terrible. I wouldn’t wear that face even for Charlie Spence.

Doris appears on the scene with her eyes turned red and her face, white. Mrs. Pearson asks her what’s wrong and how would she go with Charlie Spence with this face.

DORIS: [moving above the table; angrily] Oh —shut up about Charlie Spence. And anyhow I’m not ready yet—just dressing. And if I do look terrible, it’s your fault—you made me cry.

All steamed up, Doris tells her mom to hold her tongue about Charlie Spence. She further adds that she is not yet ready and the reason behind her awful look is that she has been crying after talking to Mrs. Pearson.

CYRIL: [curious] Why— what did she do?

Cyril interrupts and interrogates as to what did their mother do

DORIS: Never you mind.

Doris tells her brother to stay out of it.

MRS PEARSON: [rising and preparing to move to the kitchen] Have we any stout left? I can’t remember.

Word meaning -

Stout- a kind of strong, dark beer brewed with roasted malt or barley

Paying as much less attention as one could, Mrs. Pearson gets up to go to the kitchen while asking for stout.

CYRIL: Bottle or two, I think. But you don’t want stout now.

Cyril recalls that there might be one or two bottles of it left but tells her in a weird tone that after all this mess, she doesn’t need stout

MRS PEARSON: [moving left slowly] I do.

She makes it clear that she wants stout at the moment

CYRIL: What for?

Cyril asks her why she needs to have stout.

MRS PEARSON: [turning at the door] to drink —you clot!

Word meaning -

Clot- a foolish or clumsy person

Mrs. Pearson calls Cyril foolish for asking her such a question

[Mrs. Pearson exits right. Instantly Cyril and Doris are in a huddle, close together at left centre, rapidly whispering.]

DORIS: Has she been like that with you, too?

As soon as Mrs Pearson leaves, the siblings get together to discuss the matter behind her back. Doris asks her brother if their mom has been behaving weird with him as well.

CYRIL: Yes—no tea ready—couldn’t care less…

Cyril tells Doris that she has been behaving like that with him too. She didn’t even make tea for him.

DORIS: Well, I’m glad it’s both of us. I thought I’d done something wrong.

Doris is relieved to hear that they both are in the same boat because she feared it is her who had hurt Mrs Pearson in some way.

CYRIL: So did I. But it’s her of course…

Cyril expresses that he thought the same but actually, it’s Mrs. Pearson has been behaving oddly.

DORIS: She was smoking and playing cards when I came in. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Doris tells Cyril how shocked she was on seeing her mom smoking and playing cards when she came home from work.

CYRIL: I asked her if she was feeling off-color and she said she wasn’t.

Cyril tell her that he even asked her if she was feeling unwell but she said she had never felt better

DORIS: Well, she’s suddenly all different. An’ that’s what made me cry. It wasn’t what she said but the way she said it— an’ the way she looked.

She is amazed by the difference in her. She tells Cyril that it’s not her words that hurt her, but the look in her eyes that made her cry.

CYRIL: Haven’t noticed that. She looks just the same to me.

He mentions that he hadn’t noticed any change in her appearance.

DORIS: She doesn’t to me. Do you think she could have hit her head or something—y’know — an’ got—what is it?—y’know…

Doris suspects that Mrs. Pearson might have hit her head somewhere and got herself hurt

CYRIL: [staggered] Do you mean she’s barmy?

Word meaning -

Barmy- mad; crazy

Amazed, he asks Doris if she means that their mother has gone crazy.

DORIS: No, you fathead. Y’know —concussion. She might have.

Word meaning -

Fathead- a stupid person

Concussion- a violent shock as from a heavy blow

Doris suggests that she might be in shock after having hit her head somewhere.

CYRIL: Sounds far-fetched.

Word meaning -

Far-fetched- unlikely and unconvincing; implausible

Cyril thinks that Doris is not being reasonable.

DORIS: Well, she’s far-fetched, if you ask me. [She suddenly begins to giggle.]

With light-hearted laughter, Doris comments that she is finding her mother to be irrational at the moment

CYRIL: Now then —what is it?

Cyril asks her what she means.

DORIS: If she’s going to be like this when Dad comes home… [She giggles again.]

Doris indicates what’s going to happen when their father sees Mrs. Pearson behave this way

CYRIL: [beginning to guffaw] I’m staying in for that-two front dress circles for the first house…

Word meaning -

Guffaw- a loud and hearty laugh

Cyril makes fun of what is going to happen in that case and jokes about it while saying that he is even willing to stay at home for seeing that.

[Mrs Pearson enters right, carrying a bottle of stout and a half-filled glass. Cyril and Doris try to stop their guffawing and giggling, but they are not quick enough. Mrs Pearson regards them with contempt.]

MRS PEARSON [coldly] you two are always talking about being grown-up —why don’t you both try for once to be your age? [She moves to the settee and sits.]

Word meaning -

Contempt- the feeling that a person or a thing is worthless or beneath consideration

Settee- long upholstered seat for more than one person, typically with a back and arms

While the siblings were talking, Mrs. Pearson enters the room with stout. They failed at controlling their laughter and Mrs Pearson ridicules them. While moving towards a settee, she talks about how both of them regard themselves as mature and asks them to behave and be responsible like people of their age.

CYRIL: Can’t we laugh now?

Cyril asks Mrs. Pearson if she now has an objection to their laughing.

MRS PEARSON Yes, if it’s funny. Go on, tell me. Make me laugh. I could do with it.

She replies that she has no problem with them laughing at something which is funny. She asks them to make her laugh as well by telling her what they were talking about

DORIS: Y’know you never understand our jokes, Mum…

Doris undermines Mrs. Pearson’s ability to understand their jokes

MRS PEARSON: I was yawning at your jokes before you were born, Doris.

Mrs. Pearson replies in an equally mean tone indicating how boring their jokes usually are

DORIS: [almost tearful again] what’s making you talk like this? What have we done?

Doris, who is not used to Mrs Pearson talking to them in such a manner, asks her the reason behind her behaviour. She is just about to cry once again and asks what they have done to deserve this.

MRS PEARSON: [promptly] nothing but come in, ask for something, go out again, then come back when there’s nowhere else to go.

She mentions that they haven’t done much except barging in whenever they want and going out as per their convenience. In between, all they do is make her work all the time and when they have no other place to go, they come back home.

CYRIL: [aggressively] Look —if you won’t get tea ready, then I’ll find something to eat myself…

Cyril gets angry and hyper while telling Mrs. Pearson that if she doesn’t get the tea ready, he will find something to eat by himself

MRS PEARSON: Why not? Help yourself. [She takes a sip of stout.]

Mrs. Pearson asks him to go ahead and find something for himself to eat while sipping stout.

CYRIL: [turning on his way to the kitchen] Mind you, I think it’s a bit thick. I’ve been working all day.

While going to the kitchen, he attempts to make Mrs. Pearson feel obligated to prepare for him as he had been working all day.

DORIS: Same here.

Doris agrees with Cyril.

MRS PEARSON: (calmly) Eight hour day!

Mrs Pearson (actually Mrs Fitzgerald) did not lose her cool and tells them that they work only an eight hour shift a day.

CYRIL: Yes— eight hour day —an’ don’t forget it.

Cyril exaggerates upon his eight hour shift.

MRS PEARSON: I’ve done my eight hours.

She lets them know that she has also completed her eight hour shift of doing their work and handling their tantrums.

CYRIL: That’s different.

DORIS: Of course it is.

They both argue that Mrs Pearson’s eight hour work is nowhere compared to theirs.

MRS PEARSON: [calmly] It was. Now it isn’t. Forty-hour week for all now. Just watch it at the weekend when I have my two days off. [Doris and Cyril exchange alarmed glances. Then they stare at Mrs. Pearson who returns their look calmly.]

Without losing her cool, she warns them that everything is going to change from now. She will only work for forty hours a week just like all of them and tells them to wait and watch when she takes her weekend off. Doris and Cyril gets shocked while Mrs Pearson maintains her calm look.

CYRIL: Must grab something to eat. Looks as if I’ll need to keep my strength up. [Cyril exits to the kitchen.]

Cyril exits to find something to eat in the kitchen. He feels it’s necessary as he would require the strength to face all of this.

DORIS: [moving to the settee; anxiously] Mummy, you don’t mean you’re not going to do anything on Saturday and Sunday?

Doris, still amazed at what Mrs Pearson said before, confirms if she was joking about it or not.

MRS PEARSON: [airily] No, I wouldn’t go that far. I might make a bed or two and do a bit of cooking as a favour. This means, of course, I’ll have to be asked very nicely and thanked for everything and generally made a fuss of. But any of you forty-hour-a-weekers who expect to be waited on hand and foot on Saturday and Sunday, with no thanks for it, are in for a nasty disappointment. Might go off for the weekend perhaps.

Word meaning -

Nasty- very bad or unpleasant

She explains that she might do a few petty tasks if she is pleasantly asked to do so and is duly thanked for performing them as well. She warns her that if any of her family members who work for only 8 hours a day and keep blabbering about it expect her to perform all their tasks, then they are going to be let down this time. She even mentions that she could go for a vacation as well.

DORIS: [aghast] Go off for the week-end?

Word meaning -

Aghast- filled with horror or shock

More shocked, she couldn’t believe when Mrs. Pearson said that she might go on a vacation this weekend

MRS PEARSON: Why not? I could do with a change. Stuck here day after day, week after week. If I don’t need a change, who does?

Mrs. Pearson replies that she out of all, deserves to take a break as she works day and night continuously.

DORIS: But where would you go, who would you go with?

Doris is confused as to where she would go and with whom.

MRS PEARSON: That’s my business. You don’t ask me where you should go and who you should go with, do you?

Mrs Pearson expresses that Doris has no business asking her all this because she never asks Doris the same stuff.

DORIS: That’s different.

Doris tells her that what she does is not the same.

MRS PEARSON: The only difference is that I’m a lot older and better able to look after myself, so it’s you who should do the asking.

Mrs. Pearson clarifies that she is older than Doris and is in a better position to take care of herself, so it would make sense if Doris would take permission from Mrs. Pearson and not the other way round.

DORIS: Did you fall or hit yourself with something?

Doris finally asks Mrs. Pearson if she hit herself and got a concussion or something.

MRS PEARSON: [coldly] No. But I’ll hit you with something, girl if you don’t stop asking silly questions.

Bluntly, she replies that she is completely fine but if Doris doesn’t stop talking, then she might hit her with something for sure.

[Doris stares at her open-mouthed, ready to cry.]

DORIS: Oh —this is awful… [She begins to cry, not passionately.]

Almost about to cry, she expresses how disheartening it is to go through all this and while she says it, she bursts into tears.

MRS PEARSON: [coldly] stop blubbering. You’re not a baby. If you’re old enough to go out with Charlie Spence, you’re old enough to behave properly. Now stop it.

Mrs Pearson asks Doris to stop acting like a child. She bluntly says that if she considers herself mature enough to go out with Charlie Spence, she should act properly at home as well.

[George Pearson enters left. He is about fifty, fundamentally decent but solemn, self-important, pompous. Preferably he should be a heavy, slow-moving type. He notices Doris’s tears.]

GEORGE: Hello—what’s this? Can’t be anything to cry about.

Word meaning -

Solemn- formal and dignified; characterized by deep sincerity

Pompous- affectedly grand, solemn, or self-important

As they are talking, George Pearson, Mrs Pearson’s husband enters. He is a man in his fifties who is characterized by deep sincerity but is self-assertive. As one can infer, he must be a healthy man who moves at a slow pace. As he enters, he notices that Doris is crying. He asks her what’s the matter and is sure the matter won’t be worthy of crying.

DORIS: [through sobs] you’ll see. [Doris runs out left with a sob or two on the way. George stares after her a moment, then looks at Mrs. Pearson.]

Doris tells her father to wait and observe while she is crying and runs out of the scene.

GEORGE: Did she say ‘You’ll see’…?

George Pearson is left amazed at how she ran and what she said.

MRS PEARSON: Yes.

Mrs. Pearson replies to George’s rhetorical question.

GEORGE: What did she mean?

He is still confused about what is going on

MRS PEARSON: Better ask her.

Mrs Pearson advises him to ask Doris what she meant.

[George looks slowly again at the door then at Mrs Pearson. Then he notices the stout that Mrs. Pearson raises for another sip. His eyes almost bulge.]

GEORGE: Stout?

As Mrs. Pearson raised her glass to sip her stout, George gets even more shocked.

MRS PEARSON: Yes.

Mrs. Pearson lets him know that he saw right.

GEORGE: [amazed] what are you drinking stout for?

Still amazed, he asks the reason behind her drinking.

MRS PEARSON: Because I fancied some.

Still maintaining her calm, she simply replies by saying that she is drinking it because she wanted to.

GEORGE: At this time of day?

He is shocked at the sight of Mrs. Pearson drinking and that too during the day.

MRS PEARSON: Yes—what’s wrong with it at this time of day?

She counter-questions and asks what is the problem with drinking at this time of the day.

GEORGE: [bewildered] Nothing, I suppose, Annie — but I’ve never seen you do it before…

Word meaning -

Bewildered- perplexed and confused; very puzzled

He explains that he is so shocked because Mrs. Pearson had never been seen day drinking

MRS PEARSON: Well, you’re seeing me now.

She tells him that there is nothing to be shocked about. If he hadn’t seen her do it till date, he is seeing her do it now.

GEORGE: [with heavy distaste] Yes, an’ I don’t like it. It doesn’t look right. I’m surprised at you.

In contempt, he tells Mrs. Pearson that he didn’t like the idea of her drinking at this hour. It blew his mind at once.

MRS PEARSON: Well, that ought to be a nice change for you.

Responding to his reaction, she says that it could be a nice change for him.

GEORGE: What do you mean?

He did not understand what she was trying to say.

MRS PEARSON: It must be some time since you were surprised at me, George.

She explains that it’s been a long time since she amazed him.

GEORGE: I don’t like surprises—I’m all for a steady-going on —you ought to know that by this time. By the way, I forgot to tell you this morning I wouldn’t want any tea. Special snooker match night at the club tonight— an’ a bit of supper going. So no tea.

Snooker- a game played with cues on a billiard table in which the players use a cue ball (white) to pocket the other balls (fifteen red and six coloured) in a set order

He tells her how he doesn’t appreciate change or surprises and this is something Mrs Pearson should know by now. He then changes the topic by telling Mrs Pearson that he forgot to tell her about the Special snooker match and the supper. Also, he won’t be needing any tea that afternoon.

MRS PEARSON: That’s all right. There isn’t any.

She tells him that there isn’t any tea made, so it’s fine even if he forgot to convey.

GEORGE: [astonished] you mean you didn’t get any ready?

Shocked at her reply, he asks Mrs Pearson what she just told him.

MRS PEARSON: Yes. And a good thing, too, as it’s turned out.

Mrs. Pearson replies and says that it has turned out to be well because he didn’t need any tea.

GEORGE: [aggrieved] that’s all very well, but suppose I’d wanted some?

He asks Mrs. Pearson what if he wanted some.

MRS PEARSON: My goodness! Listen to the man! Annoyed because I don’t get a tea for him that he doesn’t even want. Ever tried that at the club?

Mrs Pearson expresses her bafflement at the fact that George Pearson is angry that the tea he didn’t want is not made. She suggests that he should try this behavior at the club sometime.

GEORGE: Tried what at the club?

He is not sure as to what Mrs. Pearson is telling him to try at the club.

MRS PEARSON: Going up to the bar and telling ’em you don’t want a glass of beer but you’re annoyed because they haven’t already poured it out. Try that on them and see what you get.

She explains the tea situation in context of the club where he goes to the bar to tell them that he doesn’t want a beer and then he gets mad at them because they hadn’t already poured some for him. She suggests that he try and see their reaction.

GEORGE: I don’t know what you’re talking about.

He pretends to not have understood what Mrs. Pearson just said.

MRS PEARSON: They’d laugh at you even more than they do now.

Mrs Pearson says that the people at the club would make fun of him, even more than they did.

GEORGE: [indignantly] laugh at me? They don’t laugh at me.

Word meaning -

Indignantly - in a manner indicating anger or annoyance at something perceived as unfair.

He gets irritated when Mrs Pearson says that and tells her that they don’t make fun of him.

MRS PEARSON: Of course they do. You ought to have found that out by this time. Anybody else would have done. You’re one of their standing jokes. Famous. They call you Pompy-ompy Pearson because they think you’re so slow and pompous.

Word meaning -

Pompous- self-important or overbearing

Mrs. Pearson tells him that he should have known this by now. If there would have been someone else in his place, they would have known by now. She also tells him that he is famously made fun about at the club and they call him “Pompy-ompy Pearson” because they think he is self-absorbed and overbearing.

GEORGE: [horrified] Never!

George is horrified at her words and denies it.

MRS PEARSON: It’s always beaten me why you should want to spend so much time at a place where they’re always laughing at you behind your back and calling you names. Leaving your wife at home, night after night. Instead of going out with her, who doesn’t make you look a fool…

Mrs Pearson expresses how hurtful it has been for her seeing her husband leaving her and wanting to go to a place where people make fun of him behind his back. She further adds that he does it every night instead of going out with Mrs Pearson who doesn’t at least make him look like a fool.

[Cyril enters right, with a glass of milk in one hand and a thick slice of cake in the other. George, almost dazed, turns to him appealingly.]

Cyril enters the room holding a glass of milk in one hand and a slice of cake in the other. George is confused and turns to look at Cyril, seeking his help.

GEORGE: Here, Cyril, you’ve been with me to the club once or twice. They don’t laugh at me and call me Pompy-ompy Pearson, do they? [Cyril, embarrassed, hesitates.] [Angrily] Go on —tell me. Do they?

He asks Cyril angrily if he knew this had been going on in the club, leaving Cyril embarrassed and unwilling.

CYRIL: [embarrassed] Well —yes, Dad, I’m afraid they do. [George slowly looks from one to the other, staggered.]