11th Standard Supplementary Reader Textbook - Snapshots. Lesson No. 5: Mother's Day- J.B. Priestley. Glossary, Summary, Questions and...
11th Standard Supplementary Reader Textbook - Snapshots.
Lesson No. 5: Mother's Day- J.B. Priestley.
Glossary, Summary, Questions and Answers -
Arshtatta dum --- Arshtatta lam-----Arshtatta lamdumbona!!!
Summary -
Glossary -
1. Muslin - a type of cloth.
2. Settee - a sofa.
3. Cockney - native of East London, a kind of accent.
4. Quartermaster - a regimental officer.
5. Apologetically -
6. It' ud - It would.
7. 'em - them.
8. Flustered - to make somebody feel nervous.
9. Bewildered - astonished, surprised.
10. Gimme - Give me.
11. Dubiously-doubtfully.
12. Lax - not strict.
13. Indignantly-angrily.
14. Buck teeth - upper tooth projects over lower lips.
15. Half-witted - foolish or stupid.
16. Chuckles - to laugh.
17. Briskly - fastly.
18. Snap out - come out.
19. Staggered - surprised.
20. Laconic - using a few words to say something.
21. Sinister - feeling that something bad will happen.
22. Stout - a kind of beer.
23. Clot - a stupid person.
24. Huddle - to get close.
25. Barmy - crazy, mad.
26. Fathead - stupid.
27. Giggle - to laugh.
28. Guffaw - to laugh loudly.
29. Fuss - excited.
30. Aghast - filled with horror and surprise.
31. Blubbering - cry noisily.
32. Pompous - self-important, or self-praising man.
33. I fancied some - I like some.
34. Aggrieved - angry.
35. Damn - a swear word that people use to show that they are angry.
36. Oughtn't to - the opposite of ought to.
37. Gloomily - in an unhappy way.
38. Greyhound - a breed of dog.
39. Sulkily - angrily.
40. Piecan - a foolish person.
41. Glowering - to look angrily.
42. Eating out of your hand - to have complete control over someone.
43. Duke of Edinburgh - nobleman.
44. Chump - foolish.
45. Savagely - violently.
46. Memaking - an act of creating.
47. Beckons - to point out.
READING WITH INSIGHT :
1. This play, written in the 1950s, is a humorous and satirical depiction of the mother's status in the family.
(i) What are the issues it raises?
Ans - This play is a strong recommendation for the mother's status in the family. They are never appreciated or honoured for the job, they do it 24/7, 365 days, rather their job is always taken for granted. Other members of the family never consider their hobbies, passions, and relaxation. When Mrs. Pearson does it with the help of her wise and bold lady, Mrs. Fitzerald, every member gets shocked, but at the end of the play, everybody realizes their mistakes and accepts, and is ready to give the true status of a mother in the family, after all, a mother makes a home out of a house.
(ii) Do you think it caricatures these issues or do you think that the problems it raises are genuine? How does the play resolve the issues? Do you agree with the resolution?
Ans - Yes, I do think that the problems raised in the above play are genuine and are observed commonly around us. The mothers, especially homemakers, are always supposed to stay at home for the whole day and make due arrangements for all the members of the family without any delay or negligence. When it is not done, they react in a complaining manner.
2. If you were to write about these issues today, what are some of the incidents, examples, and problems that you would consider relevant?
Ans - Many examples in our society relate to the issue mentioned in the play. I would like to narrate pointwise.
1. Gender inequality: nowadays, we observe that in most families, both husband and wife are working professionals, both work hard for economic stability, but it is always expected that all the household chores will be performed by the wife; there is no responsibility for the husband. She often earns more money than he does, but household chores are still meant for her. This is gender discrimination or male domination.
2. Traditional mindsets: We are raised by observing the mother's role and responsibilities, and what kind of hard work she does, so when it comes to our turn, our mindset, our belief system, and tradition do not allow us to help our partners. We are happy to share and enjoy her earnings, but when it comes to household chores, we are away. This is wrong. We need to understand that the times have changed now, and we must give equal respect to males and females. We must be ready to accept the changes.
3. Is drama a good medium for conveying a social message? Discuss.
Ans - Drama is an excellent medium for conveying social messages as it combines storytelling, emotions, and live performance to engage the audience deeply. Through relatable characters, background, light, music, and an excellent script,it allows viewers to reflect on social issues in an impactful way. Drama often simplifies complex problems, making them accessible to a broader audience while evoking empathy and encouraging discussion. In earlier centuries, dramas were only a powerful tool to create social awareness, and even today in the age of digital technology, in some countries, dramas are still enacted, performed, and appreciated by the masses because of their originality and nature.
4. Discuss in groups plays or films with a strong message of social reform that you have watched.
Ans - In the above answers, we talked about the role of a drama in creating social awareness, so in consequence, I would like to an example of a Marathi Drama, " Aai, Retire Hotey", meaning the mother is retiring, and it has got the same theme of the drama, Mother's Day". In this drama, one day suddenly the mother declares her retirement from her household chores, and then what happens in the house is portrayed funnily and sentimentally as well as. In the same manner, there is a drama in Gujarati called " Ba retire thai che". It is also a very popular drama in Gujarat, having the same moral and meaning.
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