The Dear Departed Summary

The Dear Departed” is a play that depicts a tragic situation that has become common in modern society. The story revolves around the Merryweather family, particularly Abel Merryweather, who is over seventy years old and has a vibrant personality. Abel believes in living life to the fullest, emphasizing eating, drinking, and being merry. Read More English Summaries.

The Dear Departed Summary

The Dear Departed Summary In English

‘The Dear Departed’ is a satirical play by Stanley Houghton. It satirises the degradation of moral values in the British class people. The story begins in the sitting room of a small house in a lower middle class district of a provincial town; Mrs. Slater and Mrs. Jordan are two sisters. Henry Slater and Ben Jordan are their husband respectively. Mrs. Slater is a vigorous, plump, red faced vulgar woman prepared to do any amount of straight talking to gets her own way.

They have come to know that their father Abel is no more. They wear black dresses to show their mourning. They have informed their uncle the death of Abel. In the meantime they want to grab all the belongs of their father. They take the slippers, mantelpiece, bureau and some other things from father’s room. They also wait to get the insurance policy of Abel.They have, in fact, no concern for the death of Abel. They don’t care for his funeral. They don’t bother to care for the dead body.

The two sisters including their husbands posed to be in perfect mourning of the death of Abel. But the payment of premium for the insurance policy still haunts in their mind. Mrs. Slater sends Victoria, her daughter, to check Abel’s room find the premium receipt. Victoria goes there but returns very scared. She informs them that there is movement in the body of Abel.

The Dear Departed Summary Class 11

They are amazed and scared also. They peep into the room and then go there. Abel thrust his hand at Ben who skips back to a safe distance below the safe. Now they are sure that grandfather is not dead. Abel exposes both of his daughters one by one. Though they try to convince him that they s took his things just to keep them safely. But Abel is not convinced. He rejects their pleas and all their excuses. Then Abel declares that he is going to change his will. He will give all his belongings to the one with whom he will remain at the time of his death. He don’t want to be robbed again. Now both the daughters try to win over Abel. But finally Abel declares that he is going to marry a widow. The daughters are fade up. But Abel is determined to disown them for their materialistic and selfish attitude.