Themes

The status of the homemaker

The central theme is the undervalued position of the mother/housewife in her own family. Mrs Pearson works far longer hours than anyone else — "twice the hours you do, and get no wages nor thanks for it" — yet is treated as an unpaid servant whose job is to cook, iron, mend and wait up. The play argues that a homemaker's work deserves the same recognition, rest and respect that the others demand for their office jobs.

Family relationships and taking loved ones for granted

George, Doris and Cyril are not cruel by nature, but they are thoughtless and selfish. They breeze in only to "ask for something, go out again, then come back when there's nowhere else to go." The play shows how easily people take a loving mother's devotion for granted, and how much healthier relationships become once she demands to be treated as a person.

Standing up for one's rights (self-respect)

Mrs Fitzgerald's whole scheme is about teaching Mrs Pearson to assert herself. The lesson she learns — keep firm, don't apologise, don't slip back into being a doormat — is a lesson in self-respect. Change only comes when the mother finally claims her own worth.

Humour and satire …