Odisha State Board CHSE Odisha Class 11 Approaches to English Book 1 Solutions One-Act Plays Chapter 1 Mother’s Day Textbook Activity Questions and Answers.
CHSE Odisha Class 11 Alternative English Solutions One-Act Plays Chapter 1 Mother’s Day
Section-I
Questions For Discussion
Question 1.
What tips does the dramatist give you in his opening Stage Direction on the central issue of the play and the central characters and their manner (Para-2)?
Answer:
When the curtain rises it is an afternoon in early autumn and the stage can be well-lit. Mr. Pearson and Mrs. Fitzerald are sitting opposite each other at the small table on which are two tea cups and saucers and the cards with which Mrs. Fitzerald has been telling Mrs. Pearson’s fortune. Mrs. Pearson is a pleasant and worried-looking woman in her forties. Mrs. Fitzerald is older, heavier, a strong and sinister personality. She is smoking. These two have sharply contrasting voices. Mrs. Pearson speaks in a light flurried sort of tone and Fitzerald with a deep voice.
Question 2.
How does Mrs. Fitzerald offer to help Mrs. Pearson assert her position in the family? What is Mrs. Pearson’s reaction to her suggestion? What is the method’ she adopts to effect a change in their personalities? Would you call it natural or supernatural?
Answer:
Mrs. Fitzerald suggests Mrs, Pearson in order to let the latter’s family men wait or look after themselves for once. Mrs. Pearson becomes embarrassed and says that she means well in fact. She also says that she agrees with her but she just can’t and it is no use her trying to make her. She knows that She will not be able to keep her promise. She wishes to adopt the method of changing bodies. Because both look alike. The change is but natural
Question 3.
What is the trick that the dramatist ‘ applies to make the change in the personalities of Mrs. Fitzerald and Mrs.Pearson theoretically convenient?
Answer:
The playwright gives direction that the scene should be acted very carefully. It is to be assumed that personalities change bodies. After the spell has been spoken both women, still grasping hands, go lax as if their lives were out of them. Then both come to life but with the personality of the other.
Vocabulary
good, long, solitary
fortune, poor, safety
depend, beauty, serious
yourself, abound, sophistication
the fortune-teller, allot, systematic
learn, under, but
twelve, clad, either… or
old, pen, neither… nor
mind, might, logical
put, peculiar, rigorous
foot, pungent, rigorous
mistress, transparency, popular
and, technical, pathetic
Answer:
good – adjective
fortune – noun
depend – verb
yourself – pronoun (reflexive)
fortune-teller – noun
learn – verb
twelve – adjective (cardinal)
old – adjective
mind – noun, verb
put – verb
foot – noun
mistress – noun
and – conjunction
long – adjective
poor – adjective
beauty – noun
around – verb
allot – verb
allot – verb
underclad – adjective
pen – noun
might – noun
peculiar – adjective
pungent – adjective
transparency – noun
technical – adjective
safety – noun
serious – adjective
sophistication – noun
systematic – adjective
either…or – conjugation
neither…nor – conjugation
chivalrous – conjunction
rigorous- adjective
popular – adjective
pathetic – adjective
but -adjective
logical – adjective
B. Derive nouns from the following:
popular, peculiar, locate
rigorous, mighty, erupt
chivalrous, mental, corrupt
logical, independent, curious
systematic, good, nude
serious, mysterious, rude
technical, callous, brief
transparent, nervous, loving
pungent, abrupt, long
Answer:
Words – Noun Form
popular – popularity
chivalrous – chivalry
systematic – system
technical – technique
pungent – pungency
mighty – might
independent – independence
mysterious – independence
nervous – nervousness
locate – location
corrupt – corruption
nude – nudity
brief – brevity
long – longevity
rigorous – rigor
logical – logic
serious – seriousness
transparent – transparency
peculiar – peculiarity
mental – mind
good – goodness
callous – callousness
abrupt – abruptness
erupt – eruption
curious – curiosity
rude – rudeness
loving – love
Grammar
(top and bottom)/glasses (or spectacles consisting of two eye-pieces)/ binoculars (having two parts connected together.)/scissors
A. Sometimes we use a plural noun for one that has two parts, for example, trousers/ jeans/tights/shorts/pants (two legs)(or pajamas (having two sharp parts). These words are plural, so they take a plural verb. My trousers are too long (not too long). We can also use a pair of + these words: Those are nice jeans, or that is a nice pair of jeans. I need some new glasses, or I need a new pair of glasses.
B. Some singular nouns are often used with a plural verb. For example government, staff, team, family, audience, committee, company, firm, etc These nouns are all groups of people. We often think of them as a number of people = (‘They’) not as one thing (=’ it’) So we often use a plural verb. The government (=they) is not happy with their new working conditions. The staff at the school (=they) are not happy with their new working conditions.
In the same way, we often use a plural verb after the name of a sports team and Company. Scotland is playing France next week in a football match. Shell has increased the price of petrol A singular verb (The government wants…/ Shell has… etc.) is also possible. We always use a plural verb with police The police have arrested the thief, (not “The police has”). Do you think the police are well-paid? Note that a person in the police is a policeman/a policewoman/a police officer (not police).
C. Some nouns and in-are but are not usually plural. For example, athletes, gymnastics, mathematics, physics, electronics, economics, politics, etc. Gymnastics is my favorite, sport. What time is the news on television? singular or plural. Some words ending in – s can be For example: means a means of transport many means of transport. series a television series two television series species a species of bird 200 species of bird.
D. We do not often use the plural of the person (persons’) we normally use people (a plural word). Many people don’t have enough to eat.
E. We think of a sum of money, a period of time, a distance, etc. as one thing. So we use a singular verb.
Twenty thousand pounds (it) was stolen in the robbery (not were). Three years (=) is a long time to be without a job. Six miles is a long way to walk every day. Most of the following sentences are wrong.
Correct them where necessary.
1. Susan was wearing black jeans
2. Brazil is playing Italy in a football match next Sunday.
3. Five thousand rupees are not enough.
4. The committee has not made a decision yet
5. There was a police standing at the comer of the street.
6. Has the police arrived yet?
7. The scissors are not very sharp.
Answer:
1. Susan was wearing a pair of black jeans.
2. Brazil is playing Italy in a football match next Sunday.
3. Five thousand rupees is not enough.
4. . The committee has/has not made a
5. There was a policeman standing at the decision yet. comer of the street.
6. Have the police arrived yet?
7. The scissors are not very sharp.
Section-II
Questions For Discussion
Question 1.
What does Doris find strange about her mother’s behavior? What are Mrs. Pearson’s comments on Charlie Spencer, Doris’s boyfriend? How does Doris react to her comments?
Answer:
Mrs. Pearson’s changed voice and behavior seem strange to Doris. Her mother’s way of speaking amazed her. She is surprised not at what she says but how she says it, Mrs. Pearson comments on Charlie Spencer, Doris’s boyfriend as bulk-teethed and half-witted. She tells Doris if she were her age, she would find somebody better than Charlie Spencer. Don’s eyes fill with tears when her mother comments on him and she runs out.
Question 2.
How does Mrs. Pearson treat Cyril? How does she explain the behavior that Cyril finds so strange? How do Doris and Cyril account for their mother’s changed manners?
Answer:
Mrs. Pearson treats Cyril the same way as she does Doris. She wishes that Cyril should also be taught a lesson as she does with her daughter. Doris says she can’t believe her eyes when she sees her smoking and playing cards. Cyril asks her if she is feeling off-color. Doris says that she is surprised not at what she says but at how she says it and the way she looks. Doris expresses serious concern, “If she is going to be like this when Dad comes home.”
Question 3.
What does Mrs. Pearson say about her plans for the weekend? What does she expect of her children in return for everything she does for them?
Answer:
Mrs. Pearson airily says that she has been working eight hours a day. So, she is going to be completely tired. So, she wants some rest. She can only do for them a bit of cooking work and making beds ready for sleep. But, she will have to be asked Very nicely and thanked for everything and generally made a fuss of she also declares that she will take a rest on Saturday and Sunday.
Grammar/Vocabulary
The three forms of some irregular verbs:
Present, Past, Past participle
bread, bred, bred
bring, brought, brought
broadcast, broadcast, broadcast
build, built, built
bum, bumed/bumt, bumed/bumt
burst, burst, burst
buy, bought, bought
can, could, could
cast, cast, cast
catch, caught, caught
chide, chid, chidden
choose, chose, chosen
cleave, cleft, cleft
clothe, clothed, clothed
come, came, come
cost, cost, cost
creep crept, crept
crow, crew/crowed, crowed
lay laid, laid
lead, led, led
lean, leaned/leant, leaned/leant
leap leaped/leapt, leaped/leapt
learn, leamed/leamt, leamed/leamt
leave, left, left
lend, lent, lent
let, let, let
lie lay, laid
light, lighted/lit, lighted/lit
lose, lost, lost,
make, made, made
may, might, might
mean, meant, meant
meet, met, met
pay paid , paid
put, put, put
mow, mowed ,mowed/mown
read, read, read
rent, rent, rent
rid, rid, rid
ride, rode, ridden
ring, rang, rung
rise rose, risen
run, run, run
saw, sawed, sawed
say, said, said
see, saw, seen
seek, sought, sought
sell, sold, sold
send, sent, sent
set, set, set
sew, sewed, sewed/sewn
shed, shed, shed
shine shone, shone
shoe, shoed/shod, shoed/shod
shoot shot, shot
show showed, showed
shut, shut, shut
sing, sang, sung
sink sank, sunk
sit, set, set
slay, slew, slain
sleep slept, slept
slide slid, slid
slink, slunk, slunk
slit, slit, slit
smell, smelt, smelt
smite, smite, smitten
sow, sow, sowed
speak, spoke, spoken
speed sped, sped
spell, spell, spelt
spend, spent, spent
spill, spill, spilt
spin spun, spun
spit, spit, spit
split, split, split
spread, spread, spread
spring sprang, sprung
stand, stood, stood
steal, stole, stollen
stick, stuck, stuck
sting, stung, stung
stink, stank, stunk
strew, strewed, strewn
stride, stride, strode/stridden
strike, struck, stricken
string,string, strung
Section-III
Questions For Discussions
Question 1.
“I don’t like surprises”. Who says that? Why?
Answer:
George says that when Mrs. Pearson behaves in a peculiar manner as a wife is not expected to do with a husband and after a series, of talks with him as to her spectacular change, she says that it must be surprising him to see sil6h unexpected change in Wg wife,s behavior. George says. don’t like surprises”.
Question 2.
What does Mrs. Fitzeraid (now Mrs. Pearson) tell George about the way people think of him at the club? What is the effect of her remarks on George?
Answer:
Mrs. Fitzerlad (how Mrs. Pearson) tells George that people at the club would laugh at him. He is for them one of their standing jokes a laughing standing jokes, a laughing stock. he is addressed, “Pomy- ompy Person” because they think he is slow and pompous.
Question 3
what happens when Mrs. Pearson (now Mrs. Fitzeraid) forgets her new role? Do you find her pathetic or funny? How do the members of her family react’ to her mistakes? What does Mrs. Fitzeraid (now Mrs. Pearson) do to set things right?
Answer:
When Mrs. Pearson (now Mrs. Fitzeraid) forgets her new fold, she addresses in the same name as she has disguised herself. She is actually Mrs. Pearson in the guise of Mrs. Fitzeraid whose tongue slips to address herself in the actual name. It is really pathetic
Question 4.
What does Mrs. Pearson (now Mrs. Fitzeraid) insist on changing back to her proper personality?
Answer:
Mrs. Pearson insists on .changing back to her proper personality when she saw with her own eyes that her son and daughter and husband are ill-behaved. She is unable to withstand the ill-treatment mated by them. Her husband is gloomy and unhappy, her son has been in the kitchen with a glass of milk in hand. Her daughter has wept for a long time and her eyes seem to have come out. She fervently requests Mrs. Fitzerald (now Mrs. Pearson’t immediately change their proper personalities.
Vocabulary
A. Say what parts of speech the following are:
go, mortgage, Zoological
play, pathetic, tremendous
read, miserable, legitimate
adventure, monitor, rational
equipment, proper, radium
outstanding, personality, historical
harmful, endeavor, parthenocarpic
paper, beauty, priority
location, strong, fundamental
evaporate, interesting, elope
percolate, gentle, anthropomorphism
distinction, boycott, biochemistry
manipulation, visible, extravagant
chemotherapy, biology
Answer:
go – verb
play – verb, noun
read – verb
adventure – noun
equipment – noun
outstanding – adjective
harmful -adjective
paper – noun (uncountable)
location – noun
evaporate – verb
percolate – verb
distinction – noun
manipulation – noun
chemotherapy – noun
mortgage – noun
pathetic – adjective
miserable – adjective
monitor – noun, verb
proper – adjective
personality – noun
endeavor – noun
beauty – noun
strong – adjective
interesting – adjective
gentle – adjective
boycott – noun, verb
visible – adjective
biology – noun
zoological – adjective
tremendous – adjective
rational – adjective
medium – noun
historical – adjective
parthenocarpic – adjective
priority – noun
fundamental – adjective
elope – verb
anthropomorphism – noun
biochemistry – noun
extravagant – adjective
Section-IV
Questions For Discussion
Question 1.
What are Mrs. Fitzerald’s instructions to Mrs. Pearson after they have changed back to their proper personalities?
Answer:
Mrs. Fitzerald instructs Mrs. Pearson to be strict and severe with the members of her family. She should not be soft on them. This would make them come back to what they were in the past. All their efforts and endeavor Will go waste if she does not administer them properly.
Question 2.
How does Mrs. Pearson put her new, found formula to the test? Does it work? How?
Answer:
Mrs. Pearson is not able to apply the newfound formula to the test. It is because she is first of all a mother and a wife. She smiles at the appearance of her husband and children. This makes the situation as it was before.
Composition
Question 1.
Would you call “Mother’s Day” a humorous play with serious intent? How? Where do you find elements of humor in the play situations, characterization, or dialogues? What is the message of the play, if any?
Answer:
The play “Mother’s Day” is, undoubtedly, the best masterpiece of J.B. Priestley, an eminent and outstanding British playwright, novelist, and essayist of our time. Some of his well-known plays -are “An Inspector Calls”, “The Linden Tree” etc. In his plays, he presents ideas about life and tries to wake up his audience to the possibilities of altering their lives for the better and suggests that human life can be a fuller and finer thing than it normally is. In this discussion play, the playwright has tried his best to deal with this naked truth humorously.
It is, in fact, a humorous play that starts with humor but with serious intent. They play delights and provoke thought. Again the play is humorous in situations, characterization, and dialogue. The playwright proves dexterous in providing the right situations which provide a lot of humor. The characterization is another fact in which the dramatist presents a right sense of pleasure. Dialogues of the play make the audience laugh profusely. A balanced approach in situations, characterization, and dialogues is made to bring about desired results.
In fact, the play incorporates a series of humorous situations from the beginning to the end. Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. Fitzerald change into different personalities. Mrs. Pearson assumes the guise of Mrs. Fitzerald and vice versa. This changing business produces humor in the play. When Mrs. Fitzerald in the guise of Mrs. Pearson starts dealing with the Pearson family, it creates a mirthful climate. When she holds a talk with Doris, the. the girl becomes nervous and embarrassed. It also creates a pleasant situation.
Mrs. Fitzerald (in the guise of Mrs. Pearson) makes overriding remarks about the girl when she wants to set right and this makes everybody laugh. Mrs. Pearson is seen smoking a cigarette and playing cards. Her behavior creates a ludicrous Her dialogues provide a vista of humor However, Mrs. Pearson’s dialogues and treatment of her son Cyril are equally humorous. The boy feels nervous and his dialogues and behavior create a mirthful atmosphere. Her dialogues and personality reveal a humorous situation. When she makes her talk with her husband, it looks very absurd and provoking and intimidated by his disguised wife. He is not able to straightforwardly before his wife.
The situation is very interesting to note. The meeting of Mrs. Fitzerald and Mrs. Pearson after the dramatic actions are over marks a humorous situation when dying two ladies change into their prior personalities. Their loose talks and etiquette are also humorous. After having changed and the whole family in unison, Mrs. Fitzerald still keeps waving her hands to deal, with, the husband and children makes a humorous situation. As a matter of fact, judging in all respects, the play is humorous in situations, characterization, and dialogue. The humorous style adopted by Priestley in the play is superb and fantastic. Oil the whole, is very inspiring and heart-enduring, and laughable.
Question 2.
How would you justify the title of the play Could you suggest another suitable title for the play?
Answer:
In fact, the play “Mother’s Day” However, the title of the work of art should be apt and suggestive. It should be concise, precise arid pointed. It should be like a signboard. An attractive and colorful signboard automatically arrests the attention of the customers to the shop. Similarly, an apt and suggestive title of a piece of art fascinates the reader towards it and even makes them spellbound to go through it and complete it immediately. On the other hand, a signboard speaks about the volumes of the contents of the shop. The customer can know front the signboard actually contains.
In the same way, an audience can know from the play’s title what it tells about. The title of the play “Mother’s Day” explains the same thing. it speaks of its inner values from the exterior However; Priestley is at his best iii his’ one-act play “Mother’s Day”. The play displays the mother that is Mrs. Peareon’s activities for one day Mr. Pearson, Doris and Cyril were having free time and they were at liberty doing their own business. They never cared what Was happening at home. In spite of the scheduled household works she Was encumbered with her work of her. husband and children.
She had to do their work. She had hardly any time to. stand, and stare. The more she does, the more she is ordered to work, and the busier she remains. Of course, she explicates her grievances before Mrs. Fitzerald who was alike in appearance. She suggested a plan. She told Mrs. Pearson that they should exchange dresses. Mrs. Pearson changed into that of Mrs. Fitzerald comps, to Mrs. Pearson’s house to set the family right. She wears a different disposition when Doris comes in. She exhibits unusual activities like playing cards and smoking cigarettes which surprise her.
She asks for tea and demands for ironing her yellow silk because she wants to go out with her boyfriend. Mrs. Fitzerald in the guise of Mrs. Pearson throws harsh words at Doris who has no other alternative than weep, in silence. Cyril is also treated in an unkind, way and he dares not show his face again before, She even does not spare the head of the family Mr. Pearson who is treated in black and white. He is made to feel demoralized that he is always laughed at by the people in the club. He feels intimidated by the retorting remarks of his wife. He has scarcely any words to communicate with his wife incarnate.
The true Mrs. Pearson comes in the guise of Mrs. Fitzerald. She feels hurt at the undue treatment of Mr. Fitzerald. As a matter of fact, going through the one-act play bit by bit, it is very much clear that the title “Mother’s Day” is entirely apt and suggestive. The way Priestley treated the one-day activity of the mother Mrs. Pearson in the guise of Mrs. Fitzerald is really superb, outstanding, enjoyable, thought-provoking and heart-enduring. On the whole, the title is appropriately justified.
Question 3.
Who do you think is the central character of the play? Would you say the characters of Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. Fitzerald are complementary? How?
Answer:
The one-act play “Mother’s Day” is undoubtedly the best typical creation of J.B. Priestley, a popular and outstanding British playwright, novelist, and essayist of the present era. He is, indeed, a superb and excellent master in the art of depicting apt and suitable characters. So -far the characters of the play are concerned such as Mrs. Pearson, Mr. Pearson, Mrs. Fitzerald, Doris, Cyril, etc. nobody deserves as the central character of the play, “Mother’s Day”. But, in this discussed play, there are two characters who equally play important roles in the development of the plot. In this context, both Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. Fitzerald play central roles. They are both complementary and supplementary to each other.
The play remains incomplete in the absence of the other. Because of both of them. contribute a lot to push forward the dramatic actions of the one-act play. Fitzerald- look alike in their appearance. Mrs. However, Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. Pearson describe how he has been encumbered with the household work and the works of her husband and children who are expected to do those works themselves. She has scarcely’ any time to stand and stare. She thinks this will spoil the children. She describes the matter too. Mrs-. Fitzerald suggests a plan to exchange dresses. It will help Mrs. Fitzerald to teach a lessor, to Mrs. Pearson’s husband and children. She assumes the appearance of Mrs. Pearson and moves forward (J for the mission.)
Moreover, now Mrs. Fitzerald in the guise of Mrs. Pearson behaves unnaturally in words and activities. She is seen smoking a cigarette and throwing harsh and coarse words at her daughter Doris and Cyril. The children do not understand why the mother behaves like this that day. They feel terribly hurt and injured. Her harsh words make them weep in silence. They feel harassed, helpless and desperate. They try to placate their mother who shows her aggressive temper more and more at her words. They dare not to appear before their mother. Mr. Pearson is also misbehaved and maltreated by Mrs. Fitzerald in the guise of Mrs. Pearson. She makes an amoral attack on her. She says that he is being laughed at by the people at the club and that he should go back and be a laughingstock there.
Mr. Pearson does not understand why his wife behaves so unruly. However, Mrs. Pearson in the guise of Mrs. Fitzerald arrives on the spot and marks how her husband and children are in a desperate mood. Her heart shudders in pain. She requests Mrs. Fitzerald to change into their proper positions. She wishes to be Mrs. Pearson again and be with her family. As a matter of fact, the above-discussed events and activities prove very much that both Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. Fitzerald are complementary and supplementary to each other. In this sense, for the development of the plot, the way Priestley treated them both is, in fact, superb arid fantastic. On the whole, he is a great master to handle his characters properly and suggestively.
Question 4.
“Slake a character sketch of Mrs. Pearson.
Answer:
In fact, the one-act play “Mother’s Day” is a typical masterpiece of J.B. Priestley, an eminent and outstanding British playwright, novelistic, and essayist of the present century. He is a superb and excellent master in the art of characterization. In the presentation of ideas about life, he selects apt and suggestive characters to explain his motto in a greater and better way. Such a character is Mrs. Pearson in “Mother’s Day” which automatically arrests our attention. Actually, the character is one’s destiny. One can make or Mar. one’s own character.
Mrs. Pearson is a character who crosses and recrosses the stage of and om She appears to be the pivotal character in this one-act play. The play without Mrs. Pearson- is like the proverbial play of “Hamlet” without the prince of Denmark, This drama falls flat without her. It becomes sheer nonsense if she is eliminated or neglected. The title of the play revolves around her.
In the caption, “Mother’s Day”, the ‘mother’’ in this place is none Other than Mrs. Pearson who dramatizes from the beginning to the end However, Mrs. Pearson dominates the whole play from the start to the finish. Her dialogues stretch from character to character, There is not a single character in the play with whom Mrs. Pearson does not make interact. She holds talks with Mrs. Fitzerald who is her neighbor and who suggests her change into each other’s garbs so that they will be able to set her family right. She obliges it.
But remains in a distance sending Mrs. Fitzerald in the guise of herself. Mrs. Fitzerald in the disguise of Mrs. Pearson exercises her sway in the Pearson family. Moreover, starting from the children Doris and Cyril to the head of the family, Mrs. is intimidated by Mrs. Fitzerald performing the role of Mrs. Pearson. The children disappear from her face and keep weeping somewhere. Mrs, Pearson is highly intimidated by the. Pearson everybody is dominated and dominating words of the lady. He becomes desperate and dispirited to learn such a terrible situation has taken place. Mrs. Pearson (in the guise of Mrs. Fitzerald) sees how her children and husband are helpless.
Her heart moves at such sad sight. She fervently requests Mrs. Fitzerald (in the guise of Mrs. Pearson) h6t to continue the show any longer. She tells her to change into their original personalities. Her motherly heart starts melting at the helplessness of her children. She does not like to see her husband being disrespected by another lady which she thinks to be unbearable. As a matter of fact, Mrs. Pearson is a lovable and affectionate character. She is, really, a good mother who can’t tolerate the pitiable and helpless condition of her children. She is the embodiment of a perfect housewife as she could not tolerate Mrs. Fitzerald misbehaving with him in her guise. On the whole, Mrs. Pearson is the most lovable, inspiring, and heart-elevating character.
Grammar / Vocabulary
Use the following both as Nouns as well as Verbs
jump, need, match
kick, neglect, marked
kiss, net, order
lack, notice, pack
labour, number, pay
land, nurse, paddle
laugh, leave, page
lend, lecture, paint
milk, light, pile
mind, link, place
move, load, plan
name, look, plaster
love, play
Answer:
jump:
(N) He did well in the jump
(V) He jumped well.
kick :
(N) The kick he gave was unbearable.
(V) Don’t kick anybody
kiss :
(N) He likes flying kiss.
(V) She kissed me.
lack :
(N) The business failed due to a lack of a proper plan.
(V) They lack courage.
labour:
(N) Success requires hard labor.
(V) He labored hard to secure first class.
Land :
(N)the land is very fertile.
(V) The plane landed in time
master:
(N) He is a master in this subject.
(V) He has mastered the knowledge well
Milk:
(N) Milk is good for health.
(V) My cow milks Well.
mind :
(N) He has a weak mind.
(V) I never mind your words.
move :
(N) This is the right move.
(V) The beggar moves from door to door.
name :
(N) This is my nickname.
(V) He named his daughter ‘Priti’.
need :
(N) He has no need for money.
(V) I always need money for my business.
neglect:
(N) He plucked in the exam, due to sheer neglect.
(V) He should not neglect his parents
net :
(N) He has made a net for fishing.
(V) He nets the birds every day.
notice:
(N) There is no notice on the board.
(V) I noticed a beautiful natural sight.
number:
(N) It is my lucky number.
(V) Please, number the mangoes.
nurse :
(N) She is a nurse.
(V) She nurses the patient well.
leave :
(N) He is on leave.
(V) Leave this place immediately.
lecture :
(N) He gave a long lecture on sociology.
(V) He lectures perfectly.
light :
(N) You should not read in dim light.
(V) He lighted a candle,
link :
(N) I have no link with him.
(V) The road links Bhubaneswar and puri.
load :
(N) This load is very heavy.
(V) The ship is heavily loaded.
look :
(N) The outer look of the building is attractive.
(V) Look at the beautiful picture.
love :
(N) Love is a divine thing.
(V) I love my parents very much,
match:
(N) I enjoyed the cricket match.
(V) The shirt does not match his
order :
(N) We should obey, the orders of our parents.
(V) The master ordered his servant to water the plants.
pack :
(N) My Friend bought a pack of cards.
(V) I packed the bag to stir, my journey.
pay :
(N) He is happy with this pay.
(V) He pays the labor a hundred rupees every day.
paddle :
(N) The paddles of his bicycle are out of order.
(V) He paddled the way by his bicycle.
page :
(N) This book contains 500 pages.
(V) He paged the book perfectly.
paint :
(N) I use costly paint.
(V) He painted the picture attractively.
pile :
(N) He marked a woodpile on his way.
(V) The man is ordered to pile the wood there.
place :
(N) Puri is a famous place for Lord Jagannath.
(V) He placed the table here.
Plan :
(N) I accept your future plan.
(V) You should plan your future from today.
Plaster:
(N)This is made of plaster from Paris.
(V) The walls are properly plastered.
play :
(N) I enjoyed the play very much.
(V) Tendulkar plays cricket every day.
Mother’s Day Summary in English
Section – I
Pre-reading Activity
1. We observe certain days of the year as social occasions such as Teacher’s day, Children’s day, World Environment day, World Literary Day, and so on. Why do we treat these days as a special occasion? How do we observe, for instance, Teachers’ Day in educational institutions
2. When, Shiv Sundar Das, the young Indian Cricketer batted superbly in a match against Zimbabwe and helped India win, the newspapers said it was Shiv Sundar’s Day. Would you say “Shiv Sundar’s Day” is used in the same sense as when we say “The Teachers’ Day” was observed in our colleges with great enthusiasm? Or does it convey a different shade of meaning? If so, what?
Focusing Question:
Mother’s day as you may be knowing is observed in many countries of the world on May 14 every year. On this occasion, mothers receive gifts and greetings from their children. the spirit behind the observance of this day is to acknowledge with gratitude a mother’s contribution to the well-being of the family. Now, as you go through the play, try to find answers to the following.
1. Do Mrs. Pearson’s husband, daughter and son treat her in accordance with the spirit of Mother’s Day?
2. Or, would you say it is Mrs. Pearson’s final success in assisting her clue position in the household that the play’s title hints at?
Introducing The Author:
J.B. Priestley (1894-1984) is a major British playwright, novelist, and essayist of our time. Some of his well-known plays are Laburnum Grove’, ‘When we are married’, ‘An Inspector Cells’ and ‘The Linder Tree’, In his plays, he presents ideas about life and tries to wake up his audience to the possibilities of their altering their lives for the better and to suggest that human life can be a fuller and finer thing than it normally is. Priestley’s popular one-act “Mother’s Day” focuses attention on a mother who is treated by her husband, daughter, and son as nothing better than a more domestic help until a neighbor teaches her the art of asserting herself in her household. The play is in the comic vein.
Gist
Paragraphs: 1-5
The living room of the Pearson family is well-furnished. It is, of course, a small suburban detached villa. Two doors are used one leading to the kitchen and the other to the back door. There is a muslin-covered window in the wall and possibly one on the right wall too. The fireplace is on the fourth wall. There is a settle-up and armchair down and one down. A small table with two chairs on either side of it stands when the curtain rises, it is an afternoon in early autumn and the stage can be well-list. Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. Fitzerald are sitting opposite each other at die small table, Mrs. Fitzerald is telling her fortune. Mrs. Pearson is a pleasant but worried-looking woman in her forties. Mrs.
Fitzerald is older, heavier, strong, and has a sinister personality, Mrs. Fitzerald opens her dialogue by collecting the cards. She says that is all she can tell herself. Mrs. Pearson thanks her and obliged. She says it is nice having a wonderful fortune-teller living next door and asks whether she has learned it, out East. Mrs. Fitzerald replies that she has learned it with her old man rising to be Lieutenant Quartermaster. She asks Mrs. Pearson to put her foot down once and for all and be the mistress of her own house and the boss of her own family. about the good and bad fortune. It all depends that it is easy to say, but difficult to do. Mrs. Fitzerald blunts out again to know who the better for being a spoilt-grown man, lad or girl. It is not good if she always follows them, and carries out their orders like a servant at the start. Mrs. Fitzerald says that it is the proper time and she wants to leave, She assumes that they will be at home at any time,
Paragraphs: 6-12
Smiling frankly Mrs. Pearson replies house. Mrs. Pearson doubtfully says that she supposes it to be so. But she hates any unpleasantness. She does not know when to wait or look after themselves for once.
Paragraphs: 13-25
Mrs. Pearson agrees with her but says if she promises she would not be able to keep it. Mrs. Fitzerald wishes her to do it. Mrs. Pearson becomes nervous and says that the matter will not do at all. She hopes that Mrs. Fitzerald says that they should resent it at once and even will not listen to it. Really, she can’t blame them. Mrs. Fitzerald says that she has pot got the idea. Mrs. Fitzerald tells that they change places or bodies and they look like each other. Mrs. Fitzerald tells her to give her hands and keep quiet for a minute: She asks her not to think anything. She takes her hands and tells her to look at her. They stare at each other. Mrs. Pearson notices the “cigarette being smoked by her and snatches it and puts it in her own mouth. The latter looks down at herself and sees that her body has changed giving a scream of fright.
There is a change in dress and appearance and Mrs. Fitzerald feels alarmed and says it would be terrible if they don’t change back. She becomes nervous. Mrs. Pearson advises her to stop worrying because it is easier to change back which she can do at any time. She tells her to do it immediately. Mrs. Pearson says it is not likely, to do it so quickly, she has got to deal with her family first. Mrs. Fitzerald asks what she is going to do to which Mrs. Pearson replies that she has to go to her house where there is nobody, then pop back and see how things are going. Better get off as soon as possible before one of them comes. Mrs, Fitzerald obeys and goes off. Mrs. Pearson smokes away lights another cigarette and begins laying out the cards for patience on the table. Doris comes in. She is a pretty girl in her early twenties who would be pleasant enough if she had not been spoilt.
Analytical outlines
- The living room of the Pearson family is well-furnished.
- It is, of course, a small suburban detached villa.
- Two doors are used
- One leads to the kitchen.
- The other leads to the back door.
- There is a muslin-covered window in the wall.
- It is possibly one on the right wall too.
- The fireplace is on the fourth wall.
- There is a settle-up and armchair down and one. down
- A small table stands with two chairs on each of its sides.
- When the curtain rises it is an afternoon in early autumn.
- The stage can be well-list.
- Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. Fitzerald are sitting.
- They sit opposite each other at the small table.
- Mrs. Fitzerald is telling about Mrs. Pearson’s fortune.
- Mrs. Pearson is a pleasant, worried-looking woman.
- She is forty.
- Mrs. Fitzerald is older and heavier.
- She is also strong and has a sinister personality.
- Mrs. Fitzerald opens her dialogue collecting the cards.
- She tells about good and bad fortune.
- All depend upon herself.
- Mrs. Pearson thanks her and obliged.
- She calls her a wonderful fortune-teller
- It is nice that she lives near Mrs. Pearson.
- Mrs. Pearson asks her if she learns it out East.
- She says that she learns it with her old man.
- She asks Mrs. Pearson to put her foot down once.
- She will be the mistress of her own house.
- She will be the boss of her own family.
- Mrs. Pearson smiles frankly
- She says that it is easy to say but difficult to do.
- Mrs. Fitzerald says that following them always is not good
- It is also not good to always obey their orders.
- She is not a servant of their house.
- Mrs. Pearson doubtfully says this.
- Of course, she supposes it to be so.
- But Mrs. Pearson hates any unpleasantness.
- She does not know when to start.
- Mrs. Fitzerald says it is the proper time.
- Mrs. Fitzerald wants to leave.
- She assumes that they will be at home at any time.
- Mrs. Fitzerald says. that they should wait or look after themselves for once.
- Mrs. Pearson agrees with her.
- But she says if she promises she would not be able to keep it.
- Mrs. Fitzerald wishes her to do it.
- Mrs. Pearson becomes nervous.
- She says that the matter will not do at all.
- She hopes that they will resent it at once.
- She says that even they will not listen to it
- Really, she can’t blame them.
- Mrs. Fitzerald says that she has not got the idea.
- She says that they change places or bodies.
- So they look like each other.
- Mrs. Fitzerald tells her to give her hands.
- She tells her to keep quiet for a minute.
- She asks her not to think anything.
- She takes her hands.
- She tells her to look at her.
- They stare at each other.
- Mrs. Pearson notices the cigarette
- being smoked by her.
- She snatches it and puts it in her own mouth.
- The latter looks down at herself.
- She sees that her body has changed.
- It gives a scream of fright.
- There is a change in dress and appearance.
- Mrs. Fitzerald feels alarmed.
- She says that it would be terrible if they don’t change back.
- She becomes nervous.
- Mrs. Pearson advises her to stop worrying.
- Because it is easier to change back.
- She can do it at any time. ,,
- She tells her to do it immediately.
- She has got to deal with her family first.
- Mrs. Fitzerald asks what she, is going to do.
- Mrs. Pearson says that she has to go to her house.
- There is nobody there.
- She has to see how thingsÿ are going.
- Better get off as soon a$. possible before one of them comes.
- Mrs. Fitzerald obeys and goes off.
- Mrs. Pearson smokes away lighting another cigarette.
- She begins laying out the -cards for patience on the table.
- Doris comes in.
- She is a pretty girl.
- She is twenty.
- She would be pleasant enough if she had not been spoilt.
Meaning Of Difficult Words:
settee -a long seat with a back for two or more persons
sinister – lopking harmful.
cockney – the dialect and aqcent of the working ,class people living in the east end of London.
put your food down – assert your authority.
flustered – nervous.
Gimme – (colloquial) give me
arshtatta – unintelligible words meant for casting a magic spell.
patience – a card game for only one player
furnished – equipped, decorated.
suburban – a semi-urban, rural based area.
semidetached – not separated completely
assumed to be – appeared to be
the stage can be well lit – the stage can be well-lighted.
worried looking – looking very nervous
in her forties – age from forty to forty-nine.
spoilt – ruined, destroyed gone astray.
dubiously – surreptitiously, doubtfully
bewildered – perplexed, a state of mind when the person does not know what to do, confused
grasping hands lax – holding hands.
lax – loose, slack, soft, flabby.
mannerisms – styles of speaking and behaviour
dominating – overpowering, overbearing.
sczeam – shout, shriek.
fight -fear
complacently – satisfied oneself.
with your family – I have to administer your family.
for a list – for a short span of time.
get off now – go and read my house.
comes busting – coiffes impetuously like a storm.
Section-II
Gist
Paragraphs: 26-142
Doris starts speaking to her mother to iron her yellow silk dress so that she. can wear it that night. Mrs. Pearson speaks in her ordinary voice. It is not fluttering and apologetic, but it js cool anti c|ear and forceful. She replies about what she thinks of her doing, whether she is whitewashing the ceiling. Doris amazingly exclaims that she is smoking! Mrs. Pearson says there is no law against smoking. Doris says that she knows that her mother does not smoke. She gets the reply that she has the wrong thought. Doris again asks whether they are going to have tea in the kitchen. Mrs. Pearson replies to take tea anywhere she likes. Doris angrily says that the tea is not ready yet.
Mrs. Pearson says that tea for her is not ready. She has already had her tea. She would go to have her meal at the Clarendon. Staring at her, Doris asks what the matter is with her. She says indignantly whether she has heard what she said about her yellow silk. Mrs. Pearson replies whether the silk will iron itself- Doris Mys is her mother to do that Mrs. Pearson says that Doris should not talk rubbish. She knows how much work she does. Why she wears her yellow silk where she is going? Doris says it is with Charlie Spencer Doris becomes wild and says that she should not ask the reason why; should not have any objections. Mrs. Pearson asks if she doesn’t get anybody better than the buck teeth and halfwitted Charlie Spencer.
She continued that if she were her age, she should have found somebody better than Charlie, a notorious fellow whom she never likes. Doris is nearly in tears and runs out. Mrs. Pearson chuckles and begins pulling the cards together. After some time Cyril Pearson enters. He is the masculine counterpart of Doris. He enters saying whether the tea is ready. She replied negatively. He moves to the table and asks the reason why, he has not have much time and is out to go when Pearson’s voice checks him. He says he has a busy night tonight. He asks whether she has put his things out. Mrs. Pearson replies she can’t remember. He walks to the table and says pretreating when he asked she replied to do it in the morning and has to look through them first in case there was any mending.
She replies she does not like mending, Cyril says that is a nice way to talk. What will happen if they all talk like that? Mrs. Pearson says that they all do that. If there is something at home they don’t want to do, let him not do it. If it is something at his work, he has to get the union to bar it. All that has happened is that she has joined the movement, Doris enters and she is in the process of dressing and is wearing a wrap, she looks pale – and red-eyed. Mrs. Pearson gets up and exits: Cyril and Doris are in a huddle.
Doris asks whether she has behaved with him in the same way. He says positively. Doris says she is glad that it is for both of them. She has thought she has done something wrong. Cyril has thought so but they now feel that it is their mother’s. Doris continues that she has been smoking since she entered. She has also been playing cards. Cyril says he has asked her if she has been feeling off-color and she has replied she has not. Doris says she has changed suddenly. It is not what she has said but the way she has said it and the way she has looked stout and a half-filled glass. Cyril and Doris try to stop the guffawing and giggling but they Mrs. Pearson enters carrying a bottle of is not quick enough.
Mrs. Perason regards them with contempt. She speaks that they both have always been talking about being grown up, and why they don’t try to be their age. Doris asks what makes her mother talk like that. What they have done. Mrs. Pearson smartly replies it is because of their coming in, asking for something, going out again, then coming back when they have nowhere else to go Cyril becomes aggressive and says if she does not get tea ready he will find something to eat himself. Mrs, Pearson says and Doris says that they work all day.
Mrs. Pearson replies she has been working eight hours a day. She also declares that she will take a rest on Saturday and Sunday. Doris asks if she will stick to it. The mother replies positively. She says that she is a lot elder and is better able to look after herself. She also warns, her daughter she will hit her with something if she does not stop asking silly questions. Doris stares at her open-mouthed cries. Mother threatens her. that it is better to do things for himself Cyril.
Analytical Outlines :
- Doris speaks to her mother to iron her yellow silk dress.
- Because she has to wear it tonight.
- Mrs. Pearson speaks in her ordinary voice.
- It is not fluttering and apologetic.
- But it is cool, clear, and forceful.
- She replies with what she thinks of her doing.
- If she is whitewashing the ceiling.
- Doris amazingly exclaims that she is smoking.
- Mrs. Pearson says that there is no law against smoking.
- Doris says that she knows her mother does not smoke.
- She gets the reply that it is her wrong thought.
- Doris asks whether they are going to have tea in the kitchen.
- Mrs. Pearson replies to take tea anywhere she likes.
- Doris angrily says then the tea is not ready yet.
- Mrs. Pearson says that the tea for her is not ready
- She has already had her tea.
- She would go have a meal at the Clarendon.
- Staring at her, Doris asks what the matter is with her.
- Doris reminds her about her yellow silk
- Mrs. Pearson replies whether the silk will iron itself
- Doris says it is her mother to do that.
- Mrs. Pearson says that Doris should not talk rubbish.
- She knows how much work she does.
- She asks why she wears her yellow silk where she is going.
- Doris says’ it is with Charlie Spencer.
- Doris says she should not ask the reason
- She should not have any objections.
- Mrs. Pearson irritates by the name of Charlie Spencer.
- To her, he is buck-teethed and half-witted.
- She continued that if she were her age,
- she should have found somebody better than Charlie
- To Mrs. Pearson, Charlie is a notorious fellow.
- She does not like him at all.
- Doris is nearly in tears and runs out.
- Mrs. Pearson chuckles and begins putting the cards together.
- Then Cyril Pearson enters.
- He is the masculine counterpart of Doris.
- He enters saying whether the tea is ready.
- She replies negatively.
- He moves to the table and asks about the reason.
- He says that he has not much time.
- Again, he is about to go out.
- He hears the voice of his mother.
- He asks whether she has put his things
- He says he has a busy night tonight. out.
- Mrs. Pearson replies she can’t remember.
- He walks to the table and says protesting.
- She has replied to do it in the morning.
- She has to look through them first in
- case there was any mending.
- She replies she does not like mending.
- Cyril says that is a nice way to talk.
- He also says what will happen if they talk like that.
- She says that they all do that.
- If there is something at home, they do nothing.
- If it is something at his work, he has to get the union to bar it.
- All that has happened is that she has joined the movement
- Doris enters and she is in the process of dressing.
- She is wearing a wrap.
- she looks pale and red-eyed.
- Mrs. Pearson gets up and exists.
- Cyril and Doris are in a huddle.
- Doris asks whether she has behaved in the same way.
- He says positively.
- Doris is glad that it is the same for both of them.
- She has thought she has done something wrong.
- Cyril has thought so.
- They now feel that it is their mother’s.
- Doris continues that she has been smoking.
- She has also been playing cards.
- Cyril says he has asked her if she has been feeling off-color.
- She has replied she has not.
- Doris says she has changed suddenly.
- It is not what she has said.
- But the way she has said it and the way she has looked.
- Mrs. Pearson enters carrying a bottle of stout and a half-filled glass.
- Cyril and Doris try to stop them from guffawing and giggling.
- But they are not quite enough.
- Mrs. Pearson regards them with contempt.
- She speaks that they both are grown up.
- Why they don’t try to be their age?
- Doris asks what makes her mother talk like that
- What they have done.
- Thep Mrs. Pearson smartly replies.
- Because of their coming in, asking for
- something, going out again, then coming
- back when they no where else to go.
- Cyril becomes aggressive.
- He says if she does not get tea ready.
- He will find something to eat himself.
- Mrs. Pearson says it is better to do things for himself.
- Cyril and Doris say that they work all day.
- She replies she is working eight hours a day.
- She declares to take a rest on Saturday and Sunday.
- Doris asks if she will stick to it.
- Her mother replies positively.
- She says that she is a lot elder.
- So, she is better able to look after herself.
- She also warns her daughter.
- She will hit her.
- If she does not stop asking silly questions.
- Doris stares at her open-mouthed and cries.
- Her mother threatens her.
Meaning Of Difficult Words :
incisive – clear and forceful.
off-color – looking slightly ill.
snap out of it – (informal) change into a more cheerful mood
get cracking – (informal) start doing something immediately.
lacunae – using very few words.
stout – a strong dark beer
clot – (informal) silly, foolish fellow.
barmy – (informal) slightly mad, very foolish.
concussion – damage to the brain caused by a blow or fall.
giggle – laugh noisily
guffaw – a very loud, hearty laugh
thick – (informal) stupid, foolish.
blubbering – crying noisily.
Section-III
Gist
Paragraphs: 143-165
George Pearson enters. He is about fifty, fundamentally decent, but solemn, self-important, pompous. Preferably, he should be a heavy, slow-moving type. He notices Doris’ tears. He asks the reason why she cries. She replies that he will see. She runs out with sobs. George stares at her a moment and then looks at Mrs. Pearson. He asks what her words mean. Mrs. Pearson replies better ask her about the meaning. He slowly looks again at the door and then at Mrs. Pearson. Then he notices the stout. Mrs. Pearson raises for another Sip. His eyes almost bulge.
He asks if it is ‘stout’. She replies positively. He asks why she is drinking stout. She replies that she has fancied some. He asks if she takes it at such a time of the day! She replies what wrong is there to take it at such a time. He says nothing wrong, but he has never seen, her having it with her before. She says he is seeing it then. George says with great despair that he disliked it. He is astonished at her. She replies that this is a change in him. George says he does not like surprises. He says that he forgot to tell her that morning he wouldn’t want any tea. Special snooker match night at the club tonight. Hence, no tea. She replies that is right. There is not any tea. He questions whether she means she doesn’t get any tea. But he wants to have some tea.
Paragraphs: 166-180
Mrs. Pearson says it is very strange. The man is vexed because she doesn’t get tea for him that he doesn’t even want. She asks if he has ever tried at the club. ‘Tried what at the club ?’ asks George. She says that going up to the bar and telling them you don’t want a glass of beer, but he is vexed they haven’t already poured it out. If he tries that on them and sees what he gets. He says that he does not understand. She says they would laugh at him even more than they do then. George indignantly says that they don’t laugh at him at all.
Mrs. Pearson says they of course do it. He ought to have found that out by that time. Anybody would have, done that. He is one of their standing jokes. George refutes saying ‘never’. He does not agree with what she says. Mrs. Pearson says that it is always beaten her why he should want to spend so much time at a place where they are always laughing at him behind his neck and calling him names. Leaving his wife at home night after night instead of going out with her which doesn’t make him look like a foot.
Cyril enters with a glass of milk in one hand and a thick slice of cake in the other, George almost dazed turns to him appealingly. George asks his son if he has been with him to the club twice or thrice. Whether he has ever joked about in the club. Cyril in fear hesitates what to say but is embarrassed to say, “Well- yes, Dad, I’m afraid they do”. George feels dammed at it. George exits slowly, almost as if someone has hit him on the head. Cyril turns indignantly at Mrs. Pearson
Paragraphs: 181-200
Cyril says to his mother that she should not have told her father like that. That is not fair, She had hurt his feeling. So also his. Mrs. Pearson replies that sometimes it does people good to the truth and ought not to truth anybody for long. If his father did not to the club; so often, perhaps they would stop laughing at him. Cyril doubts whether their father is laughed at. Mrs. Pearson severely says that possibly he doubts but what she doubts is whether Cyril’s opinion is worth having what does Cyril know nothing?
He spends too much time and money at greyhound races and dart tracks and ice shows. Cyril replies about what happens if he spends time and money enjoying life: She says that he does not mind so much if he is really enjoying himself. But was it really? Where is it getting him? There is a sharp knock at the door. Cyril hurries out and in a moment he reenters closing the door behind him. It is that silly old bag from next door, Mrs. Fitzerald. He asks that she does not want her. Mrs. Pearson says she wants her and she told her to let her in.
She warned him not to call her a nasty old bag. She is a very nice woman. Mrs. Fitzerald enters. Mrs. Fitzerald asks if everything is alright. Cyril says negatively. His mother says things are quite right and asks Cyril to keep quiet. He protests and his mother scold him in strong words. He goes off into the kitchen. Mrs. Fitzerald asks what is going on. Mrs. Pearson says just putting them in their places. She is doing what she bought to have done long since. Mrs. Fitzerald asks whether George is at home. Illus. Pearson says that she has been telling him what they think of him at the club
Paragraphs: 201-220
Mrs. Pearson says that they will be eating out of her hand soon. Mrs. Fitzerald says she does not think she wants them eating out of her hand. Mrs. Pearson says they will obey her like anything if she heads what she tells her to. George enters and gets surprised by the visitor. He moves to the armchair sits down heavily and glumly lights his pipe. Then he looks from Mrs. Pearson to Mrs. Fitzerald who is regarding him anxiously. George says, is it Mrs. Fitzerald? She says yes she is and addresses him by his name George.
He is ‘surprised to be called by name by a visitor woman. Mrs. Fitzerald begs pardon. Mrs. Pearson interferes to know what the matter is. She says whether he is Duke of Edinburgh: George gets angry and says there is no tea and Doris is crying her eyes out upstairs.” She Says it is bad manners to behave her friend the way he has done. He gets angry and says bitterly that it looks decent to talk silly things in the presence of a neighbor. Doris “enters weeping. Mrs. Fitzerald asks whether she is going with Charlie Spencer tonight. She reacts against it.
Paragraphs: 221-249
Doris says that her mother has been going on at her making her feel miserable and saying Charlie Spencer has got buckteeth and is half-witted. Mrs. Fitzerald says that Mrs. Pearson shouldn’t have said so. Mrs. Pearson retaliates that she will manage her family and she may manage her without poking her nose at others. George grimly says ticking her off then. Mrs. Pearson even more grimly says that they are waiting for him at the club. She also taunts Doris saying, “And don’t you start crying again, Doris ?” She says to George and Doris that she wants to have a private little talk with Mrs. Pearson, and she requests they leave them alone for a few minutes.
George and Doris exit. As they go Mrs. Fitzerald moves the small table and sits. She eagerly beckons Mrs. Pearson to do the same thing.. She talks to her quickly she says they must change back very quickly. Mrs. Pearson (who is in the guise of Mrs. Fitzerald) says this has gone far enough. He can see they are all miserable and she can’t bear it any longer. But, Mrs. Fitzerald (who is in the guise of Mrs. Pearson) says she wants to administer some more doses to set them right. But Mrs. Fitzerald says that she can not withstand any more of it and suggests they immediately change back. They change themselves into their true personalities.
Analytical Outlines :
- Then George Pearson enters.
- He is about fifty.
- He is fundamentally decent.
- But he is solemn, self-important, and pompous.
- Preferably, he is a heavy, slow-moving type.
- He notices Doris’ tears.
- He asks the reason for her crying.
- She replies that he will see.
- She runs out with sobs
- George stares at her for a moment.
- Then he looks at Mrs. Pearson.
- He asks what her words mean.
- Mrs. Pearson replies better ask him about the meaning.
- He slowly again looks at the door and then Mrs. Pearson.
- Then he marks the- stout on her hand
- She is about to take another sip.
- His eyes almost bulge.
- He asks if it is stout.
- She replies positively.
- He asks why she is drinking stout.
- She replies that she has fancied some.
- He asks why she is taking it at such a time.
- She replies what is wrong with it.
- He says that he has never seen her taking it before.
- She says he is seeing. it then.
- George says with great hatred that he dislikes it.
- He is surprised at her.
- She replies that there is a change in him.
- George says he does not like surprises.
- He has forgotten to tell her something.
- He does not want tea in the morning.
- There was a special snooker match at the club tonight?
- She replies that is right.
- She says there is not any tea.
- But he says he wants to have some tea.
- Mrs. Pearson says it is very strange.
- Mr. Pearson is vexed.
- Because she does not get tea for him.
- Even she does not want it:
- She asks if he has ever tried at the club.
- George asks what he has tried at the club.
- She says going up to the bar and telling them a glass of beer.
- But he is extremely vexed by it.
- She says that they haven’t already
- poured it out if he tries that on them.
- He says that he does not understand.
- She says they would laugh at him even more than they do then
- George indignantly says that they don’t laugh at him at all.
- Mrs. Pearson says they of course do it.
- He ought to have found them out by that time.
- He is one of their standing jokes
- George refutes saying never.
- Mrs. Pearson says it is always beaten her.
- Why he spends much time at such a place?
- As they are always laughing at him behind his back.
- They are also calling him names.
- He is leaving his wife at home night after night.
- Instead of going out with her.
- She does not make him look like a foot.
- Cyril enters with a glass of milk in one hand
- He holds a thick slice of-cÿke in the other hand.
- George almost dazed .turns to him appealingly.
- George asks his son if he has been with him to the club.
- If he has even seen being joked about in the club.
- Cyril in fear hesitates
- That is not fair.
- She had hurt his feeling.
- Even she has also hurt his (Cyril’s) feeling.
- Mrs. Pearson says that truth is truth.
- If his father stops going to the. club.
- Then they would stop laughing at him.
- Cyril doubts whether their father is laughed
- He is embarrassed to say, “well- yes
- Dad, I’m afraid they do”.
- George feels dammed at it.
- George exits slowly.
- He feels as if someone has. hit him on the head.
- Cyril turns indignantly at Mrs. Pearson.
- Cyril says to his mother that she should not have told her father like that. at.
- She says that Cyril knows nothing about it.
- He also spends time in dart tracks and
- Cyril replies what happens if he spends time and money enjoying life.
- She says that she does not mind so much if he really enjoying himself.
- But was it really?
- Where is it getting him?
- There is a sharp knock at the door.
- Cyril hurries out and in a moment he reenters closing the door behind him.
- It is that silly old bag from next door.
- He asks that she does not want her.
- Mrs.‘ Perasoh says she wants her.
- She told her to let her in.
- She warned him not to call her a nasty old bag. Vv ’
- She calls herself a very nice woman.
- Mrs. Fitzerald enters.
- Mrs. Fitzerald asks if everything is ice-shows. alright.
- Cyril says negatively.
- His mother says things are quite right.
- She asks Cyril to keep quiet.
- He protests and his mother scolds him in strong words.
- He goes off into the kitchen.
- Mrs. Fitzerald asks what is going on.
- Mrs. Pearson says just pulling them into their places.
- She is doing what she ought to have done long since.
- Mrs. Fitzerald asks whether George is at home. ,
- Mrs. Pearson says that she has been telling him what they think of him at the club.
- Mrs. Pearson says that they will be eating out of her hand soon.
- Mrs. ‘Fitzerald says she does not think she wants them eating out of her hand,
- Mrs. Pearson says they will obey her like anything.
- George enters and gets surprised to see
- He moves to the armchair and sits down
- Mrs. Pearson interferes what the matter
- George gets angry.
- He says there is no tea.
- Doris is crying upstairs. the visitor. heavily.
- He glumly lights his pipe.
- Then he looks from Mrs. Pearson to
- Mrs. Fitzerald is regarding him anxiously.
- Mrs. Fitzerald addresses him by his name.
- He is surprised to be called by name by a visitor woman.
- Mrs. Fitzerald begs pardon. is.
- She says whether he is the Duke of Edinburgh.
- She says it is bad manners to behave her friend the way he has done.
- He gets angry.
- Doris enters weeping.
- Mrs. Fitzerald asks whether she is
- He says bitterly that it is not good to say silly things to her in the presence of a neighbor. going with Charlie Spencer tonight.
- She reacts against this.
- Doris says that her mother has been
- she says Charlie Spencer has got going on at her making her feel miserable. buckteeth and is half-witted.
- Mrs. Fitzerald says that she should not have said so.
- Mrs. Pearson retaliates that she will manage her family.
- She may manage hers without poking her nose at others.
- George grimly says ticking her off then.
- Mrs. Pearson even more grimly says that they are waiting for him at the club’
- She also taunts Doris saying that she should not cry again.
- She says to George and Doris that she wants to have a private little talk with Mrs. Pearson.
- So, she requests them to leave them alone for a few minutes.
- George and Doris exit.
- As they go Mrs. Fitzeraid moves to the same table and sits.
- She eagerly beckons Mrs. Pearson to
- She says they must change back very
- Mrs. Pearson says that it has’cre. ted enough fear.
- They are also feeling miserable.
- She can’t bear it any longer
- But Mrs. Fitzeraid says she wants to administer some more doses to set them right.
- She says that she can’t withstand any more of it.
- So, she suggests they immediately change back.
- They change themselves into their true personalities.
Meaning Of Difficult Words:
pompous – pride, showy, self-important.
pecan- useless fellow.
glowering – looking angrily.
at sixes and seven – in a state of disorder
ticking her off – (informal) drunk
tidy – rebuking her.
Section-IV
Gist
Paragraphs: 250-260
Mrs. Fitzerald says that she has enjoyed the event but Mrs. Pearson says that she has not enjoyed anything in the show. Mrs. Fitzerald says that Mrs. Pearson should have enjoyed it. She advised Mrs. Pearson that she should be soft on them again otherwise. They will again be as they have been. All endeavors will end in smoke, all labor will go waste. She (assumes that she will try to be as advised. She . is sure that they will do better hereafter.
They are set right Mrs. Fitzerald says severely not. to start any explaining or apologizing. Mrs. Pearson replies that it is all right for her. After all, they aren’t her husband and children. Mrs. Fitzerald impressively says that Mrs. Pearson had admitted that she was spoiling them and they don’t appreciate her She warns her that giving them a look-atone of voice- now and again to suggest. She might be with them if she wants to be and it ought to work. Anyhow they can test it. Mrs. Pearson asks how Mrs. Fitzerald replies, that it would like them to do what they don’t do. She should stop at home for once. She says positively and wishes to give her a hand with supper.
Paragraphs: 261-276
Mrs. Fitzerald asks if anything she would like them to do that she will enjoy whether they do or not. Mrs. Pearson hesitatingly says that she likes a nice game of rummy- but hardly she ever has one except at Christmas. Mrs. Fitzerald gets up to leave and tells her to remember to keep firm, She leaves calling the inhabitants. George, Doris, and Cyril enter looking at Mrs. Pearson. The family looks anxiously at Mrs. Pearson who smiles much relieved, they smile back at her
Analytical outlines :
- Mrs. Fitzerald says that she enjoyed the event.
- But Mrs. Pearson says that she has not enjoyed anything in the show.
- Mrs. Fitzerald says that Mrs. Pearson Should have enjoyed it.
- She advises Mrs. Pearson to be soft on them otherwise.
- They will again be as they have been.
- All endeavors will end in smoke.
- All labor will go waste.
- She assumes that she will try to be as
- She is sure that they will, do better
- They are set right.
- Mrs. Fitzerald says severely not to start advised.
- Mrs. Pearson replies that it is all right thereafter.
- any explanation or apology. for her. ,
- After all, they are not her husband and children.
- Mrs. Fitzerald impressively says this.
- Mrs. Pearson has admitted that she is spoiling them.
- They don’t appreciate her.
- Anyhow they can test it.
- Mrs. Pearson asks how Mrs. Fitzerald replies.
- It would like them to do what they don’t do.
- She should stop at home for once.
- She says positively.
- She wishes to give her a hand with supper.
- Mrs. Fitzerald asks if anything she would like them to do.
- She will enjoy it whether they do or not.
- Mrs. Pearson hesitatingly says.
- She likes a nice game of rummy.
- But hardly she ever has one except at Christmas.
- Mrs. Fitzerald gets up to leave.
- She tells her to remember to. keep firm.
- She leaves calling the inhabitants.
- George, Doris, and Cyril enter looking at Mrs. Pearson.
- The family looks anxiously at Mrs. Pearson.
- She smiles with much relief.
- They also smile back at her.
- She warns her that giving them a look a-tone of voice- now and. again to suggest she might be with them if she wants to be and it ought to work.
Meaning Of Difficult Words :
endeavour – efforts, attempts, striving.
end – finish, stop.
assure – make sure, give confidence, betroth.
apology – frank acknowledgment.
impressively – influencively.
admit – accept, permit, concede, acknowledge
appreciate – praise, like, estimate, justly.
now and again – again and again, again and over again
hesitatingly – confusingly, unwillingly.
done for – (informal) ruined.
rummy – a card game.
hardly – scarcely, rarely, seldom.
anxiously – eagerly, solicitously.