Question

Why do fitzgerald and pearson exchange places

Answer 1

Mrs Pearson was a docile and submissive woman who was treated roughly by her family and always taken for granted. Mrs Fitzgerald was a fortune-teller who lived next door to the Pearsons. She was older in terms of age and heavier in terms of her body when compared to Mrs Pearson. Mrs Fitzgerald was also said to have a strong and sinister personality with a domineering and assertive attitude. She used to smoke and speak in a deep voice which seemed rather Irish in tone. From the play we can infer that she was a formidable woman. She did not tolerate nonsense from anybody and was used to having her way. Mrs Fitzgerald wanted Mrs Pearson to deal with her family with gumption and a firm attitude so that they could not dare to ill-treat her ever again. She suggested that they change places or bodies so that Mrs Pearson's spirit would go into Mrs Fitzgerald's body and vice versa. This change would not last long but allow just enough time for Mrs Fitzgerald's spirit in Mrs Pearson's body to teach the Pearson family a lesson that they would not forget. Mrs Fitzgerald had learned her fortune-telling arts in the east and this was one of the charms that she had learned. Mrs Pearson's confusion, rather dilemma, arises from the fact that as a wife or a mother she could not neglect her duties towards her family. But at the same time, she was aware of the fact that they did not think of her or appreciate her efforts. She was a worried-looking woman in her forties, submissive and docile. Mrs Pearson needed to put her foot down because she was the mistress of her house and boss of the family but according to her, it was easier said than done. She tried to justify everything by saying that she was fond of them even when her family was thoughtless and selfish because they did not mean to be so. But she knows that it would be better for them if they learnt to treat her properly. However, Mrs Pearson hated conflict or unpleasantness, she had accepted this situation for so long that she did not know where to begin in order to change things. She used to keep making up her mind to have it out but somehow she could not figure out how to begin. Mrs Pearson's confusion stems from the fact that she thought she could win her family over by continuing to serve them in silence. She hoped they would notice her efforts but she knew that it was to no avail.