This play, written in the 1950s, is a humorous and satirical depiction of the status of the mother in the family.
What are the issues it raises?
The following issues are raised by the play:
1) Mother’s duty is a labor of love, hence she should be given equal importance in the family as others.
2) She doesn’t have any holidays as the rest of the family do, so everyone should help her in one or other way finding some time for her.
3) Her opinion also should be considered in making any decision, be it important or not, as she is also a member of the family.
4) If everyone in the family has the right to talk roughly with her, then they also have the responsibility to make her happy when she gets hurt.
This play, written in the 1950s, is a humorous and satirical depiction of the status of the mother in the family.
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?
1) No, I don’t think it caricatures these issues, supporting that the problems raised by it are genuine.
2) The play resolves these issues by letting the people know, what happens if the mother stops doing her duties.
3) Yes, I agree with the resolution that is made. Every family member should spend some time with that angle who has added many colours to the family.
If you were to write about these issues today what are some of the incidents, examples, and problems that you would think of as relevant?
I think these issues are prominent because they are being practiced in the present generation as well by just changing their forms.
1) Today’s children are being brought up under many gadgets which are separating them from family members.
2) They are busy in posting their photos on many social networks and are unable to find some time for their mother.
3) Men became restless in their work and are finding it difficult to speak a few words with their loved ones.
Is drama a good medium for conveying a social message? Discuss.
Yes, the drama is a good medium for conveying a social message. It is a great platform to show almost all problems and solutions in a few minutes. People also have a strong bond with dramas and are a lot interested in watching them since ages. That is the reason why television advertisements are that famous round the clock. Dramas surely play an important role in bringing about a change in the society.
Read the play out in parts. Enact the play on a suitable occasion.
Practical question.
Discuss in groups plays or films with a strong message of social reform that you have watched.
I have recently watched the movie ‘Dangal’ of famous actor Mr. Aamir Khan. The film was based on a true story of Miss.Geetha Phoghat who was a world champion in women wrestling.
The movie displays the hardships that she and her father have gone through in achieving that success. They lived in a society where girls were treated like as if they are born to take care of household chores and give birth to babies. But her father was not interested in handing over a broom and a spoon to them. He instead wanted to make her and her sister, good wrestlers. Initially, they had to face many discouragements from the people around, but they decide to fight back hard. Finally, they were able to prove the whole world wrong, by making them witnesses to the great international wrestling match in which Geetha wins gold.
This movie conveys the message that women should be treated well and they are also equally capable as men.