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Ch. - 5 (Snapshots), ‘Mother's Day’, , Long and Value Answer based, questions :, Q. 1. How does Mrs Fitzgerald, passing for Mrs Pearson put Mr, George, Doris and Cyril in their, places?, , Ans. Mrs Fitzgerald comes to the, rescue of Mrs Pearson. She transfers, her spirit into Mrs Pearson's body, and gets ready to show all the three, members their places. Her first, target is Doris. She comes home, demands tea and orders the mother, to iron her yellow silk. But she is, astonished when her mother goes on, smoking and is planning to eat out at, a restaurant. She gets such a rough, treatment that she is all in tears. The, next target is Cyril. He also finds, his mother cold and defiant. Both, suspect that she has hit her head, against something. Mother chides, them for whispering and laughing., George, as he enters the room, finds
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his wife smoking, drinking stout and, playing cards. He objects to all that, but is told curtly to shut up. He is told, how the club members make fun of, him behind his back. Thus, they all, are made to realise how mean and, selfish they have been towards Mrs, Pearson., , Q. 2. Compare and contrast the, characters of Mrs Fitzgerald and Mrs, Pearson. Who do you admire and, why?, , Ans. Mrs Fitzgerald and Mrs, Pearson make an interesting, study in contrast. Mrs Fitzgerald is, strong, aggressive, liberated and, domineering. She lives life on her, own terms. She smokes, plays cards, and drinks stout. She can challenge, anybody. She even jumps up to, slap George. She runs down Doris’, fiance. She takes Cyril to task for, wasting time and money on dog, races and ice shows. Mrs Pearson,, on the other hand, is weak minded, and docile. She does not dare to, displease any member of her family.
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She agrees with the way suggested, by Mrs Fitzgerald but she is afraid of, hurting the feelings of the members, of her family. Mrs Fitzgerald has a, domineering personality while Mrs, Pearson has pleasing looks and, nature and she is rather nervous. We, certainly need more women like Mrs, Fitzgerald, who can stand up for their, rights., , Q. 3. How do you look at Mrs, Pearson's genuine problems and, Mrs Fitzgerald's suggestion? Is, it practicable, imaginative and, realistic?, , Ans. The resentment of Mrs, Pearson is genuine and realistic., Hers is a miserable life. That is the, experience of most of the women., She is sensitive and servile. That is, why she is neglected by her family, members. The solution suggested by, Mrs Fitzgerald is quite effective. But, it is not practical as everyone does, not have magic skills. Mrs Fitzgerald
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commands a drastic action. Any, woman, who is in Mrs Pearson's, place, would have to deal with the, situation in a tactful manner. The, matter would have to be resolved by, discussing things with each other, rather than the dramatic way shown, by Mrs Fitzgerald., , Q. 4. We talk of women’s liberation, movement but it is a grim and sad, reality that our women, except some,, are slaves of the wheel as they were, in the past. What place do women, have in Indian society? Discuss., , Ans. India has been and is still a, male-dominated society. Boys are, definitely preferred to girls. In reality,, the man still governs unquestioned., It will not be wrong to say that, employed women in general work at, home like drudges. In our society a, wife depends upon her husband; a, daughter remains under her parents;, a mother depends on her husband, and son. The condition of a widow, is worse. A woman finds it difficult
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to move freely. All social taboos are, meant for her., , Some women today are free to, , choose their career, but the majority, of them are still oppressed. Strangely, enough women in ancient India, enjoyed honour and respect and, , were true better halves of men. They, enjoyed equal rights to men. They, were at liberty to get an education, and choose their life partners., , Nowadays, due to education, the, condition of women is improving. All, important services are thrown open, to them. We see women occupying, high posts. They have excelled, , men in many fields. In the social,, economic and political sphere, they, have earned name and fame. Due, to education, views and old thinking, of the Indian society is changing., Today women have earned a place, for themselves in every field and the, future of Indian women is brighter, still.
