J.B. Priestley’s ‘Mother’s Day’ is a humorous and satirical play. But the play deals with some serious issues. The most important of them is the status or position of mothers in the family.

(i) The play was written more than fifty years ago in 1950s. The position of mothers in the family was in every way inferior to that of men. They were exploited and intimidated not only by their husbands but also by their children. It raises another issue. Are mothers just the beasts of burden? They work in kitchens cooking meals for the family. They iron the clothes. They prepare tea when their husbands arrive home from work or outside. Mrs Pearson is such a woman of forty. Overburdened with her familial responsibilities, she has neither rest nor peace. She has no freedom. She is always dancing to the tunes of her son Cyril and daughter Doris. She can t have any fun. Mothers like Mrs Pearson are marginalised and neglected.

(ii) The play raises real issues. It doesn’t merely caricature them. The problems it raises are genuine. Millions of women have to lead such a miserable life as Mrs Pearson is forced to lead. Their husbands and children care only for themselves, their interests and entertainment. The play also resolves the issues. Women can set their spoilt children and arrogant husbands by asserting themselves. Self denial will lead them nowhere. They must change the dominating behaviour of their husbands and children. Only by refusing more than they do, they can find some time for leisure, fun and rest.

Certainly, there is no scope of showing any disagreement with the resolution of the issues as mentioned above.