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This guide is for the students who are looking for the NCERT Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 3: Mother’s Day solutions. This blog provides clear and well-explained answers to the exercise questions to help you understand the play and revise it for your examination. The solutions are designed to simplify the complex concepts of the play and make it easier for you to revise the chapter. You can also download the free PDF of these solutions for effective revision anytime and anywhere.
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NCERT Solutions Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter: 3 Mother’s Day
Here we have given the NCERT solutions of Class 11 English snapshots Chapter 3 Mother’s Day, for effective revision.
Reading with Insight – Questions and Solutions
- 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?
(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?
Solutions:
(i) The play Mother’s Day by J.B. Priestley raises several issues related to the status of mothers in a typical household. It highlights the lack of appreciation and respect for the mother’s role, portraying her as overworked and undervalued. The mother, Mrs. Pearson, is taken for granted by her husband, George, and her children, Doris and Cyril, who expect her to cater to their demands without acknowledging her efforts. The play also addresses gender roles, showing how societal expectations place the burden of domestic work on women, leaving them with little personal time or recognition. Additionally, it critiques the lack of communication and emotional connection within the family, as the family members are self-absorbed and dismissive of Mrs. Pearson’s feelings.
(ii) The play uses humour and satire to exaggerate the issues, but the problems it raises are genuine and relevant. The depiction of Mrs. Pearson’s family treating her as a servant reflects a real societal issue of the 1950s, where women were often expected to prioritise family needs over their own. The caricature comes through in the exaggerated behaviour of the family and the magical role-reversal facilitated by Mrs. Fitzgerald, which adds a humorous twist. However, the underlying issue of mothers being undervalued is authentic and relatable.
The play resolves these issues through a role reversal where Mrs. Pearson, with the help of Mrs. Fitzgerald’s magic, adopts a bold and assertive persona. She confronts her family’s selfish behaviour, demanding respect and equality. This leads to a shift in the family’s attitude, as they begin to recognise her worth. The resolution is effective in highlighting the need for change, but it is somewhat simplistic, relying on a supernatural element to drive the point home.
I agree with the resolution to the extent that it emphasises the importance of mutual respect in a family. However, the magical intervention makes it less realistic, as real-life change often requires sustained effort and communication rather than a sudden transformation. A more gradual approach might have made the resolution more relatable, but the play’s lighthearted tone suits its purpose of delivering a social message entertainingly.
- 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?
Solution: If Mother’s Day were written today, the issues of undervaluing mothers and gender roles would remain relevant, but could be updated to reflect modern contexts. For example, a mother might be depicted as juggling a career alongside household responsibilities, yet still facing expectations to prioritise domestic work. Incidents like a mother being overlooked during family decisions or criticised for not being available 24/7 due to work commitments could highlight the issue. Another example could involve social media pressures, where mothers feel compelled to meet idealised standards of parenting, adding to their stress. Problems like unequal distribution of household chores, lack of emotional support from family, or societal judgment on working mothers would resonate with today’s audience. The play could also explore how technology, such as constant demands via messaging or scheduling apps, adds to a mother’s workload, emphasising the need for appreciation and shared responsibilities in modern families.
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- Is drama a good medium for conveying a social message? Discuss.
Solution: Drama is an effective medium for conveying a social message because it combines entertainment with emotional impact, making complex issues accessible and engaging. In Mother’s Day, the humorous and satirical tone captures the audience’s attention while highlighting serious issues like gender inequality and a lack of appreciation for mothers. Drama allows characters to come to life through dialogue and actions, enabling the audience to connect emotionally with their struggles and perspectives. The exaggerated situations in the play make the message memorable, while the resolution offers hope and a call for change. Additionally, drama can be performed, allowing students and audiences to experience the story actively, which reinforces the message. However, drama may sometimes oversimplify issues or rely on stereotypes for effect, which could limit its depth. Despite this, its ability to spark discussion and reflection makes it a powerful tool for addressing social issues like those in Mother’s Day.
- Read the play out in parts. Enact the play on a suitable occasion.
Solution: To enact Mother’s Day, assign roles to students or group members for each character: Mrs. Pearson, Mrs. Fitzgerald, George, Doris, and Cyril. Practice reading the dialogues aloud, focusing on tone and expressions to capture the humour and satire. For example, Mrs. Pearson’s assertive lines after the role-reversal should be delivered confidently, while the family’s initial arrogance should contrast with their later surprise. Choose a suitable occasion, such as a school event, literature fest, or class activity, to perform the play. Use minimal props, like a table and chairs, to represent the Pearson household, to keep the focus on the dialogue. Rehearsing the play in parts helps students understand the characters’ emotions and the play’s message about respect and gender roles, making it an engaging learning experience.
- Discuss in groups plays or films with a strong message of social reform that you have watched.
Solution: In group discussions, students can share examples of plays or films that address social reform, similar to Mother’s Day. For instance, films like Dangal highlight gender equality by showing a father supporting his daughters to break stereotypes in wrestling. Another example is the play A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen, which critiques societal expectations of women and their roles in marriage. Students can discuss how these works use characters and narratives to convey messages about social change, such as challenging gender norms, addressing caste issues, or promoting education. Encourage group members to analyse the effectiveness of the medium (play or film), the emotional impact of the story, and how the message relates to contemporary issues. This activity fosters critical thinking and helps students connect Mother’s Day to broader themes of social reform.
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Download NCERT Solutions Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 3 Mother’s Day
Download more NCERT Solutions of Class 11 English ‘Snapshot’ here!
| Chapter 1: The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse |
| Chapter 2: The Address Solution |
| Chapter 4: Birth Solution |
| Chapter 5: The Tale of Melon City Solution |
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