humorous incidents in the drama ''mother's day''

The element of humour and satire in the play Mother's Day are imperative in establishing the theme of the play. The caustic tone of Mrs Fitzgerald as Mrs Pearson, the notes of sarcasm that drip from her speech are crucial in driving the point home about Mrs Pearson's condition as the neglected mother. Mrs Pearson was disrespected and neglected by her own family. She used to run after them all the time, tending to their needs and taking their orders as if she was the servant in the house. She would stay at home every night while the others went out to enjoy themselves. Her husband would go to the club, Cyril would go to the races and Doris on dates but Mrs Pearson would be left behind night after night, toiling away for people who never thought about her. Her family should have been taking notice of her instead of giving her orders or treating her like dirt. The change in behaviour of the rest of the family towards Mrs Pearson in the end shows that they had been taking her for granted and relegating her to the periphery of their attention. However, as a wife and a mother, she ought to have been given the utmost respect because she took care of everyone in the family and put their needs before her. Mrs Fitzgerald's success in teaching them a lesson validated the statement. The play teaches us a lesson about how women who work from morning to night for their families are often undervalued for their contribution because they do not earn wages or step out of their homes. They are denigrated for keeping together household which would fall apart without their aid. Therefore, through biting humour and acerbic wit, the point is driven home about how one should learn to value everyone, irrespective of what their work is.