10Eng._the Dear Departed by Stanley Houghton_Summary and Important Questions

Class – X(CBSE)
ENGLISH
10Eng._The Dear Departed by Stanley Houghton_Summary and Important Questions
SUMMARY
The play opens in the modest living room of the Slater family, consisting of Mrs. Amelia
Slater, her husband Henry, and their daughter Victoria. The atmosphere is tense and
hurried, as Amelia and Henry prepare for the arrival of Amelia's sister, Elizabeth Jordan,
and her husband Ben. The purpose of their gathering is solemn: Mr. Abel Merryweather,
Amelia and Elizabeth’s elderly father, is believed to have passed away. However, even in
what should be a time of mourning, Amelia and Henry display little grief; instead, they
are more concerned with securing the deceased’s possessions, demonstrating an
opportunistic and insensitive attitude.
Amelia instructs Victoria to behave respectfully but cannot resist the urge to take action
herself. She decides to take her father’s valuable clock and other belongings from his
room before Elizabeth arrives, assuming that her sister will try to claim them once she
sees them. This sets the tone for the rest of the play, highlighting the greed and rivalry
between the sisters.
When Elizabeth and Ben arrive, the two sisters engage in forced condolences, trying to
outdo each other in expressing their supposed sorrow. Their insincerity is palpable as
they begin to argue over who deserves which of their father's possessions. They go so far
as to discuss his funeral arrangements in a shockingly detached manner, revealing how
little regard they have for their father beyond his material wealth.
Just as the family is embroiled in these discussions, a shocking twist occurs: Mr. Abel
Merryweather walks into the room, alive and healthy. He is bewildered to find his family
gathered and learns that they assumed he had died in his sleep. The unexpected return
of Mr. Merryweather catches everyone off guard, and the siblings and their spouses
struggle to hide their embarrassment. Mr. Merryweather soon realizes the true nature of
his daughters' affections – or lack thereof – as he overhears them discussing his
belongings and inheritance.
In the climactic scene, Mr. Merryweather, now fully aware of his daughters' greed and
hypocrisy, makes a bold decision. Rather than allowing his daughters to inherit anything,
he decides to change his will and take control of his life. He announces his intention to
leave the family and marry a younger woman who will appreciate and care for him,
rather than treating him as a burden or a means to financial gain. This decision shocks
Amelia and Elizabeth, who had expected to benefit from his death and never considered
that he would assert his own wishes.
The play ends with the two sisters and their husbands left in a state of disbelief and anger,
realizing that their greed has cost them their inheritance. Mr. Merryweather’s choice to
disown his daughters and find a new path reflects Houghton's message about the
importance of respect, love, and genuine relationships over materialism. The Dear
Departed uses satire and irony to underscore the moral decay within the family,
ultimately delivering a critique on how easily human connections can be overshadowed
by selfish desires.
THEMES
1. *Materialism and Greed*: The play sharply criticizes the greed that has infiltrated
family relationships, showing how material wealth takes precedence over love and
respect.
2. *Hypocrisy in Family Relations*: The characters exhibit hypocrisy, as they are more
concerned about their inheritance than mourning Mr. Merryweather.
3. *Disrespect for the Elderly*: Houghton highlights how elderly family members are
sometimes neglected and valued only for their assets.
4. *Satire on Middle-Class Morality*: The play uses satire to mock middle-class values that
focus on appearances rather than genuine relationships.
CHARACTER SKETCHES
1. *Mr. Abel Merryweather*: A sharp-witted elderly man, Mr. Merryweather is aware of
his daughters’ lack of affection. Though initially seen as a passive figure, he ultimately
takes a bold stand by deciding to control his legacy and asserting his independence.
2. *Mrs. Amelia Slater*: One of Mr. Merryweather's daughters, Amelia is selfish and
materialistic. Her character is marked by greed, as she prioritizes inheriting her father’s
possessions over his well-being, revealing a shallow nature.
3. *Mrs. Elizabeth Jordan*: Mr. Merryweather’s other daughter, Elizabeth is equally self-
centered and only marginally less callous than Amelia. She is critical of Amelia but is
ultimately just as greedy, reflecting the moral decay in both sisters.
4. *Ben Jordan and Henry Slater*: Both are the husbands of Elizabeth and Amelia,
respectively. They are passive yet complicit in their wives' schemes, indicating how they,
too, are influenced by greed and family expectations.
SHORT QUESTIONS
1. What does the title The Dear Departed signify in the context of the play?
2. Describe Mr. Abel Merryweather’s attitude toward his daughters.
3. How do Amelia and Elizabeth react to the news of their father's supposed death?
4. Why does Mr. Merryweather decide to change his will?
5. What does the clock symbolize in the play?
6. How does the author use humor to convey serious themes in the play?
7. Describe the relationship between Amelia and her husband, Henry.
8. What is Elizabeth’s initial reaction to the idea of sharing the inheritance?
9. How does the setting contribute to the theme of the play?
10. What does Mr. Merryweather’s decision at the end of the play reveal about his
character?
LONG QUESTIONS
1. Discuss how The Dear Departed uses satire to critique family relationships.
2. Analyze the character of Mr. Abel Merryweather and his importance in the play’s
theme.
3. How do Amelia and Elizabeth’s characters reflect the theme of materialism?
4. Explain the role of irony in the play and how it enhances the message.
5. Compare and contrast the characters of Amelia and Elizabeth, focusing on their
treatment of their father.

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