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Shama Sherwani:, , Question 1., , Who is Mrs Fitzgerald? What does she advise Mrs Pearson?, Answer:, , Mrs Fitzgerald is Mrs Pearson's neighbour and friend. A fortune teller, who had learnt the art, from the East, she tells Mrs Pearson that her fortune could turn either way. With effort and, counsel, the situation would swing in her favour. She advised her to assert herself as the boss, of the house., , Question 2., What was Mrs Pearson's reaction to Mrs Fitzgerald's advice?, Answer:, , Mrs Pearson said that it would not be easy to put her family members in place as she was very, fond of them. She knew that they were thoughtless and selfish but felt, perhaps, they did not, mean to be so., , Question 3., What was Mrs Fitzgerald’s opinion of Mrs Pearson's attitude?, Answer:, , Mrs Fitzgerald said that Mrs Pearson's family was undoubtedly spoilt. She felt that it was Mrs, Pearson's attitude that did them no good, tending to their needs, taking their orders, and staying, at home every night while they went out enjoying themselves., , Question 4., What does Mrs Fitzgerald offer to do for her?, Answer:, , Mrs Fitzgerald sensed that Mrs Pearson was far too gentle, submissive and generous to tackle, her family. Mrs Fitzgerald offered to make them realize the error of their ways not as Mrs, Fitzgerald but as Mrs Pearson. She offered to change their bodies and change back again.”
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Question 5., What is Doris’s first reaction on seeing her mother? Why?, Answer:, , Doris was taken aback to see her mother smoking and playing cards. When Doris asks her what, she was doing, she is startled to get her answer—‘whitewashing the ceiling.’ Moreover, her, conduct was not nervous and apologetic but cool and incisive., , Question 6., What did Doris want her mother to do? How did the mother react?, Answer:, , Doris wanted her to iron her yellow silk dress that she ‘must wear’ that night. She also wanted, her mother to make tea for her. She refused to get her tea and iron her dress, telling her that she, put in twice the hours Doris did but got neither wages, nor thanks for it., , Question 7., What does Mrs Pearson say to Doris that really bothered her?, Answer:, , Mrs Pearson asked where Doris would wear her yellow silk dress. She said that she planned to, go out with Charlie Spence. Mrs Pearson told her to find somebody better, and insulted Charlie, Spence by calling him buck-toothed and was half-witted., , Question 8., What does Mrs Pearson have to say to Cyril that shocks him?, Answer:, , When Cyril walk in and insists on her getting the tea and his clothes ready, he is stunned to hear, that she doesn't ‘like mending’. She goes on to tell him that when he does not want to do, something, he does not do it. She planned to do the same. Cyril could not believe his ears.
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Question 9., What do Doris and Cyril feel about Mrs Pearson’s changed behaviour?, Answer:, , Doris and Cyril discuss that there is something wrong with their mother as she is not behaving, in character. They discuss how Mrs Pearson behaved oddly with each of them. They try to, fathom if she had gone crazy or had a concussion., , Question 10:, How are Mrs Pearson and Mrs Fitzgerald contrasted?, Answer:, , The two ladies are sharply contrasted. Mrs Pearson is a pleasant but worried looking woman in, her forties. She speaks in a light, flurried sort of tone with a touch of suburban cockney. Mrs, Fitzgerald is older, heavier and has a strong and sinister personality. She smokes. She has a, deep voice, rather Irish tone., , Question 11., “I'm much obliged,” says Mrs. J Pearson. What for does she feel obliged and to whom?, Answer:, , Mrs. Pearson feels obliged to Mrs Fitzgerald for telling her fortune. She thinks it quite wonderful, having a real fortune teller living next door.