(i) The play brings forth several significant issues concerning the role and treatment of mothers and housewives. Primarily, it highlights the lack of proper appreciation for the immense work and responsibilities a housewife undertakes. Family members often treat her as an unpaid domestic servant, expecting her to follow orders without any requests or expressions of gratitude. Another critical issue is the absence of reciprocity in love and gratitude. The husband, son, and daughter are depicted as thoughtless and selfish, leaving the mother alone to enjoy their own pursuits without considering her feelings or needs. The play suggests that the mother's excessive love and eagerness to serve also contribute to spoiling the family members.

(ii) The problems presented in the play are indeed genuine and serious, although they are treated with humor and satire. The playwright employs an unconventional method for resolution: magic. Through the incantation of a magical spell, the personalities of Mrs. Pearson and her neighbor, Mrs. Fitzgerald, are interchanged. Consequently, Mrs. Pearson, now embodying Mrs. Fitzgerald's strong and assertive personality, begins to treat her family members sternly. Her commanding tone and stern demeanor make them realize the reality of their behavior. The spoilt family members are brought back to their senses by this harsh exposure. They agree to help with household chores, like preparing supper, allowing the mother to have a conversation with her husband. While this magical resolution might seem far-fetched and unnatural, it serves as a dramatic device to illustrate that extreme measures are sometimes necessary for effective 'disaster management' within a family dynamic.

If adapting the issues raised in "Mother's Day" for a contemporary setting, several relevant incidents and problems could be included. These might involve the unfair treatment of women not only at home but also in public spaces like workplaces and transport. Examples could include the exploitation of female workers through lower wages, harassment by seniors, indecent remarks, eve-teasing, and molestation, all of which underscore the social inequality women face. Despite advancements and discussions on women empowerment in the 21st century, these issues persist. The play could also depict modern housewives enduring physical and mental anguish from husbands who assert their masculinity through violence, taunts, and barbs. Furthermore, contemporary issues like the rising rates of domestic violence, marital discord, and the psychological toll on women due to societal pressures could be highlighted to reflect the ongoing struggles women face in modern society.

Yes, drama is an exceptionally effective medium for conveying social messages. Direct moralizing or lecturing is often met with resistance and is easily ignored by the audience. Drama, however, presents a 'slice of life' through characters and situations, drawing the spectators into the narrative. The audience often becomes emotionally involved with the protagonists, making them more receptive to the underlying message. The theme's development, whether obvious or subtle, leaves a lasting impression. Social messages in plays emerge organically from the characters' interactions and their inherent traits. Unlike didactic literature, drama often portrays the complexities of social issues through nuanced storytelling. Contemporary plays frequently address social awareness themes such as the evils of addiction, the dangers of pollution, child labor, the declining female sex ratio, and the importance of women's empowerment, demonstrating drama's power to provoke thought and inspire change.

A film like "Swadesh" serves as an excellent example of a work with a strong social reform message. The movie tells the story of an Indian scientist working at NASA who returns to his ancestral village in India. Deeply moved by the villagers' plight and the lack of basic facilities, he resigns his job to dedicate himself to rural upliftment. The film emphasizes the principle of self-help, urging people not to solely depend on the government. A significant plot point involves the village's lack of electricity after sunset. Through the scientist's efforts and the cooperation of some villagers, hydroelectricity is generated, bringing light to the homes and enabling irrigation. This transformation dramatically improves the villagers' economic and social conditions, showcasing the power of initiative and community effort in driving social reform.

Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. Fitzgerald are presented as starkly contrasting characters. Mrs. Pearson is depicted as a pleasant woman in her forties, often appearing worried and speaking in a light, flustered tone with a suburban cockney accent. In contrast, Mrs. Fitzgerald is older, heavier, and possesses a strong, somewhat sinister personality. She is also characterized by her habit of smoking and her deep, rather Irish-sounding voice, which further emphasizes her imposing presence compared to Mrs. Pearson's more subdued demeanor.

Mrs. Pearson expresses her obligation to Mrs. Fitzgerald because Mrs. Fitzgerald has just told her fortune. Mrs. Pearson is quite amazed and delighted to discover that she has a real fortune teller living next door, which is why she feels obliged to her neighbor for this unique service.

Mrs. Fitzgerald's prediction about Mrs. Pearson's fortune is deliberately ambiguous. She states that it could turn out to be either good fortune or bad fortune, emphasizing that the outcome ultimately depends on Mrs. Pearson herself. Mrs. Fitzgerald places the responsibility on Mrs. Pearson to make a firm decision about how she wants her future to unfold, implying that her own actions will determine the nature of her fortune.