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what is the central theme of the play the dear departed

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In the play The Dear Departed, Stanley Houghton satirises the degradation of moral values in the British middle class. In trying to grab the things belonging to their father, the children completely disregard modesty, decency and obligation towards their family.

The lesson 'Dear Departed' focuses on the family values that are dwindling fast in the society. Materialism has affected the modern man's life so much that even the respectful relationship between father and daughter has become tainted with it.

Full Answer

What is the main idea of the play the Dear Departed?

The Dear Departed Summary In the play The Dear Departed, Stanley Houghton satirises the degradation of moral values in the British middle class. In trying to grab the things belonging to their father, the children completely disregard modesty, decency and obligation towards their family.

What is the summary of the Dear Departed by Stanley Houghton?

The Dear Departed Summary . In the play The Dear Departed, Stanley Houghton satirises the degradation of moral values in the British middle class. In trying to grab the things belonging to their father, the children completely disregard modesty, decency and obligation towards their family.

How is the play the Dear Departed a commentary on hollowness?

In what way is the play 'The Dear Departed' a commentary on the hollowness of human relationships? The play 'The Dear Departed' showcases the hollowness of human relationships. It is seen that the daughters of the presumably dead man care not about him or offering him a funeral, but about his belongings only.

What is the irony in the title The Dear Departed?

Bring out the irony in the title of the play. The title ‘The Dear Departed’ refers to the death of a person who is loved but Abel Merryweather is neither dearly loved nor departed. The daughters do not mourn his death.

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What is the moral of dear departed?

The moral of the story is that the relations should not be based on the terms of material things. Relations should be pure and full of affection. Also, the story deals with the theme that the end of greed leads to no profit.

Who is the central character of the play the dear departed?

Abel Merry Weather was the central character of the one-act play 'The Dear Departed. ' He was a seventy-two years old man. He had two daughters- Amelia Slater and Elizabeth Jordan. Henry was the husband of Amelia.

What is the summary of the dear departed?

The Dear Departed Summary in English The play depicts a tragic situation that has become very common in today's world. He presents the idea of degrading moral values in the middle class. The children have no feelings for their parents. Moreover, they just try to grab the belongings of their father.

How did dear departed play ends?

The poetic end of the story is real of the playwright. And Abel's reply to his selfish and careless daughter leaves them stunned. They left regretfully, and we're feeling guilty for what they have done to his father for their selfishness of them. The Summary of the Dear Departed Chapter ends like this.

What is the irony in the title the dear departed?

There is irony in the title of the play as here the departed is the grandfather and he is believed to be dear to his daughters and sons-in-law. While they do not exactly wait for his departure from this world, they do not even regret his sudden passing away.

What is the irony in the drama dear departed?

The irony is reflected in the fact that none of the daughters cared about Abel Mayweather who was presumed to be dead because they cared more about his material possessions than mourning his death.

What are the comic elements in the play the dear departed?

There are a few comic elements in the play. First of all, the daughters who were busy quarrelling about the property of their father after his death, soon found was he was, in reality, alive. When Abel stretched his hand for a handshake, Ben skipped and hid below the sofa with Mrs. Jordan.

Who is Victoria in the dear departed?

Victoria Slater is the ten-year old daughter of Amelia Slater and Henry Slater.

Why was Henry shocked?

Henry was shocked because Victoria was a little girl yet so smart to identify that her parents were engaged in stealing the grandfather's stuff by shifting the bureau. Upon such an encounter, Mr. Henry decided to convince her saying that their grandfather had given the bureau to her mother prior to death.

What is the relationship between Amelia and Elizabeth?

Elizabeth Jordan She is the sister of Amelia Slater and the second daughter of Mr. Abel Merryweather. Like her sister, she too has no feelings for her father nor for her sister. She is stout, complacent, impassive and has an irritating air of being always right.

How does the dear departed depict the degradation of moral values?

Grade 12. In the play The Dear Departed, Stanley Houghton satirises the degradation of moral values in the British middle class. In trying to grab the things belonging to their father, the children completely disregard modesty, decency and obligation towards their family.

What is the character of Henry Slater?

Henry Slater is a man who has no will of his own and no say in the house. He is Amelia's husband, Victoria's father and the son-in-law of Abel Merry Weather. He has a drooping moustache and a heavy built. He wears a black tail coat, grey trousers, black tie and a hat.

What is the character of Henry Slater?

Henry Slater is a man who has no will of his own and no say in the house. He is Amelia's husband, Victoria's father and the son-in-law of Abel Merry Weather. He has a drooping moustache and a heavy built. He wears a black tail coat, grey trousers, black tie and a hat.

What are the comic elements in the play the dear departed?

There are a few comic elements in the play. First of all, the daughters who were busy quarrelling about the property of their father after his death, soon found was he was, in reality, alive. When Abel stretched his hand for a handshake, Ben skipped and hid below the sofa with Mrs. Jordan.

What can you understand about the character of Mrs Slater from this conversation?

Expert-verified answer Slater is a vigorous and lady who stays prepared to do any amount of straight talk to get her own way. It is understood that she is dominating by the way she treats her daughter. She is insensitive too. She does not believe in making any sort of kind gestures or suggestions.

Who is Abel Merryweather?

Abel Merryweather was the father of mrs. Amelia Slater and mrs. Elizabeth Jordan and an old widower. He decided to make a new will and leave all his belongings to whomever he was living with when he dies.

What is the aim of Dear Departed?

The aim is to explain the Dear Departed Class 10 summary. The Dear Departed essay is the drama by Stanley Haughton. In this drama, the poet has used so many devices and equipment, to criticise and denounce human characteristics. In this, he also uses the combination of dramatic irony and sarcasm and simultaneously speech ...

What is the poetic end of Dear Departed?

The poetic end of the story is real of the playwright. And Abel's reply to his selfish and careless daughter leaves them stunned. They left regretfully, and we're feeling guilty for what they have done to his father for the selfishness of them. The summary of the Dear Departed chapter ends like this.

Why does lack of morals in the family lead to a lack of responsibility in the kids?

This is the reality of the modern family; sometimes they didn't care about family and gave importance to money or things. This happens because of moral values.

How has materialism affected the modern life of ordinary people?

Materialism has affected the modern life of ordinary people that even the Father and daughter respectful relationship is also tainted with it. The play highlights the aspects of the matched craftsmen by wonderfully absorbing the ordering of the scenes. The poetic end of the story is real of the playwright.

What is the play Dear Departed about?

The Dear Departed Summary. In the play The Dear Departed, Stanley Houghton satirises the degradation of moral values in the British middle class. In trying to grab the things belonging to their father, the children completely disregard modesty, decency and obligation towards their family.

What is on the left side of the door?

To the left side of the door, a worn-out chest of drawers is kept and to its right, a sideboard. A table with chairs around it is kept in the middle of the room. On the mantelpiece, ornaments and a cheap American clock is placed and in the hearth, a kettle. Next to the sideboard, a pair of carpet slippers is lying.

What is in front of the sofa in the movie?

A sofa is placed in front of it. On the spectator’s right side is a fireplace with an armchair placed next to it. In the center of the wall facing the spectator, there is a door which leads into the passage. To the left side of the door, a worn-out chest of drawers is kept and to its right, a sideboard.

Who is the daughter of Amelia and Henry Slater?

A girl of ten, daughter of Amelia and Henry Slater…… VICTORIA SLATER

Does the grandfather want to live with his daughters?

On knowing the harsh reality, the grandfather decides not to live with any of his daughters. He even expresses his final intention to change his will. He declares that he is going to give everything to Mrs. Shorrocks whom he will marry. He feels that by marrying Mrs. Shorrocks he will have someone to look after him whole-heartedly without considering him to be a burden.

Who wrote the Dear Departed?

THE DEAR DEPARTED Summary. 1. 1. THE DEAR DEPARTED. (By Stanley Houghton) Summary. The story of the play begins with Mrs. Slater telling her ten years old daughter, Victoria, to go upstairs and put on her white frock with a black sash. Her husband Henry Slater comes home after sending a telegram to his sister-in-law, Elizabeth, ...

What does Slater tell her daughter?

Slater tells her daughter not to open the door till they come down. There is a bureau down. Mrs. Jordan throws her husband Tit-Bits, and tells him to try to look as if they had been waiting for them. Victoria ushers in Ben and Mrs. Jordan. Sisters kiss each other and men shake hands.

What does Victoria Slater tell Grandpa?

He tells Grandpa that he has to live with one of his daughter. He offers him to live with them and promises to take care of him. 5. VICTORIA SLATER Personality: Victoria is the daughter of Mrs. and Mr. Slater and grand-daughter of Mr. Abel Merry weather. She is a precocious girl of ten.

What is Henry Slater's personality?

4 3. HENRY SLATER Personality: Henry Slater is the husband of Amelia, father of Victoria and the son-in-law of Abel Merry weather. He is a stooping, heavy man with a drooping moustache. He is wearing a black tail coat, grey trouser, a black tie, and a hat. He is in half mourning. Hen-pecked: He has no say, no way and no will. He takes dictation from his wife. He wears new slippers of his dead father-in-law when directed by his wife. By nature he is not very bad. He sends a telegram to Elizabeth and Jordan to attend the funeral rites of Grandpa. Though he is not selfish and greedy, yet compelled by his wife, hides some precious things of Grandpa before the arrival of her sister. He helps his wife in carrying down the bureaus and taking upstairs the chest of drawers. He is much ashamed when Grandpa sees him wearing his slippers. He supports all the greed acts of his wife. Careful Person: He is a very careful person. When his wife tells him to bring the bureau down, he says suppose Elizabeth and her husband, com Because of this warning, Amelia fastens the front door. He also suggests her to exchange the bureaus with their chest of drawers. 4. BEN JORDAN Personality: Ben Jordan is the husband of Elizabeth, father, of Jimmy, and the son-in-law of Grandfather. He is in complete new mourning, with black gloves and a band round his hat. He is rather a jolly little man, accustomed to be humorous, but at present trying to adapt himself to the regrettable occasion. He has a bright, chirpy little voice. Diplomatic: He is a very diplomatic person. He tries to find out some important information. He analysis the issue to Grandfather’s payment of premium on his insurance policy and asks to find out the receipt if the payment is made. He tries to find out the weak points of the other. Family and proves himself to be innocent. He laughs on several occasions to prove that others are not so wise as he is. He never misses a chance to criticize others. The calls Grandpa: “the drunken old beggar”. But when Grandpa gets up, he becomes polite towards him and repeatedly enquires about his health. He remarks about the stolen bureau that it was second hand, He always his wife. He tells Grandpa that he has to live with one of his daughter. He offers him to live with them and promises to take care of him. 5. VICTORIA SLATER Personality: Victoria is the daughter of Mrs. and Mr. Slater and grand-daughter of Mr. Abel Merry weather. She is a precocious girl of ten. Simple and innocent: She is an innocent and simple girl. When the play opens, she is gallivanting in the street, unconscious of the fact that her Grandpa is lying dead and cold upstairs. She is unable to understand all that is going on in the house. She goes upstairs to take the bunch of keys per instruction of her mother. When she comes back she is scared and exclaims emotionally that Grandpa is getting up. She fails to understand the trick of her parents. She simply calls it stealing. When Mrs. Slater say that Grandpa

Who was the translator of popular sentiments?

2): Translator of popular sentiments: Pythias was a true translator of the popular sentiments of the people.

Why did Damon appeal to the King to let Pythias go home for a few days?

Damon appealed to the king to let Pythias go home for a few days to meet his mother and sister and to settle his family affairs. He told the king that he would take the place of Pythias in the prison till his retune form his home and would die in place of Pythias in case he did not return on the applointed day.

What is the theme of Dear Departed?

The Dear Departed Summary in English. In the play The Dear Departed, Stanley Houghton satirises the degradation of moral values in the British middle-class. In trying to grab the things belonging to grandfather, the children completely disregard modesty, decency and filial obligation. The materialistic attitudes of Mrs Slater ...

When is Dear Departed summary?

The Dear Departed Summary in English by Stanley Houghton. June 4, 2020 by Prasanna. We have decided to create the most comprehensive English Summary that will help students with learning and understanding.

What is the story of Mrs Slater and Mrs Jordan?

The materialistic attitudes of Mrs Slater and Mrs Jordan come in for bitter criticism. This story is about a middle-class family in a provincial town. Grandfather Abel Merryweather is presumed to be dead and his daughters Amelia Slater and Elizabeth Jordan try to grab his belongings. The curtain opens to reveal that Abel Merryweather, ...

What are the main incidents in the play?

Question 1.#N#Given below are the main incidents in the play. They are in a jumbled order. Arrange them in the sequence in which they occur in the play.#N#(3) Mrs Slater discovers that grandfather is ‘dead’.#N#(2) Mrs. Slater instructs Victoria to put her white frock on with a black sash.#N#(6) Henry wears the new slippers of grandfather’s.#N#(4) The Slaters fetch the bureau and the clock from upstairs.#N#(11) The Jordans arrive and learn the details of grandfather’s ‘demise’ from the Slaters.#N#(10) They discuss the obituary announcement in the papers and the insurance premium payment.#N#(1) Victoria is asked to fetch the bunch of keys to the bureau to look for the insurance receipt.#N#(5) The family sits down to have tea.#N#(9) Grandfather comes down and is surprised to find the Jordans.#N#(7) Grandfather comes to know how his daughters were in a hurry to divide his things between them.#N#(8) Grandfather announces his intention to change his will and to marry Mrs. Shorrocks.

What does Mrs Slater take hold of?

Before the Jordans arrive, Mrs Slater takes hold of her father’s new slippers, his new bureau and clock. Mrs Jordan arrives with her husband, Ben. Both are dressed in new mourning clothes. Ironically, while both the families make a show of grief, the two sisters are more interested in their inheritance.

What does the title "The Dear Departed" mean?

Answer: The title ‘The Dear Departed’ refers to the death of a person who is loved but Abel Merryweather is neither dearly loved nor departed. The daughters do not mourn his death.

What is Mrs Slater's dress?

She has got her husband to wear a black tailcoat, grey trousers, a black tie and a bowler hat. Victoria, her daughter, is wearing a white frock with a black sash.

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1.What is the central theme of the play ‛The Dear …

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15 hours ago Find an answer to your question What is the central theme of the play the dear departed angela4875 angela4875 11.10.2017 English Secondary School What is the central theme of the play the dear departed 2 See answers raghukrishnan1oy0vmz raghukrishnan1oy0vmz ...

2.What is the central theme of the play the dear departed

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32 hours ago The Dear Departed - Summary ‘The Dear Departed’ depicts the hollow relationship among a family. The story shows how in today's world everything is governed by selfishness and greediness. It shows how two daughters are only concerned about their father’s material possession. The play is a satire on the bonds among modern day families.

3.The Dear Departed Summary - VEDANTU

Url:https://www.vedantu.com/english/the-dear-departed-summary

21 hours ago In the play The Dear Departed, Stanley Houghton satirises the degradation of moral values in the British middle class. In trying to grab the things belonging to their father, the children completely disregard modesty, decency and obligation towards their family.

4.The Dear Departed Summary, Explanation, Difficult Words …

Url:https://www.successcds.net/learn-english/class-10/the-dear-departed-class-10-english.html

25 hours ago  · The Dear Departed” was the first of many to be reproduced at the gaiety theatre. It is a pungent satire on the moral degradation of British middle-class society. The two sister, Mrs. Slater and Mrs. Jordan, are so mean and materialistic that instead. Of mourning over their father’s death, they planned to divide his belongings.

5.The Dear Departed by jnssa mstpha - Prezi

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13 hours ago Verified by Toppr. The play 'The Dear Departed' showcases the hollowness of human relationships. It is seen that the daughters of the presumably dead man care not about him or offering him a funeral, but about his belongings only. They are superfluous in the way that they dress up in black but they are not mourning, they are just quarrelling amongst each other about …

6.In what way is the play 'The Dear Departed' a commentary …

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33 hours ago

7.1. THE DEAR DEPARTED Summary - Weebly

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8.What purpose does the bureau serve in the play, "The …

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36 hours ago  · The pinching of the bureau points towards Mrs. Slater being materialistic. It reinforced the theme of greed by exposing the greedy and mean nature of Mrs. Slater who stole the bureau and then lied to the Jordans to satisfy her greedy nature.

9.List the comic elements in the play 'The Dear Departed'.

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22 hours ago Solution. Verified by Toppr. There are a few comic elements in the play. First of all, the daughters who were busy quarrelling about the property of their father after his death, soon found was he was, in reality, alive. When Abel stretched his hand for a handshake, Ben skipped and hid below the sofa with Mrs. Jordan. Mrs.

10.The Dear Departed Summary in English by Stanley …

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7 hours ago  · In the play The Dear Departed, Stanley Houghton satirises the degradation of moral values in the British middle-class. In trying to grab the things belonging to grandfather, the children completely disregard modesty, decency and filial obligation. The materialistic attitudes of Mrs Slater and Mrs Jordan come in for bitter criticism.

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