Dear Departed- play by Stanley Houghton

“The Dear Departed” is a comedic play written by Stanley Houghton. Let’s delve into the details:

Introduction:

The play portrays the sad reality of modern nuclear families strained by selfish interests and individual desires.
The story unfolds at the house of the Slaters.
Mrs. Slater, one of two daughters of Mr. Abel Merryweather, lives with him. The other daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband, Ben, reside separately.


Merryweather Lying Motionless:

The two sisters, Mrs. Slater and Elizabeth, are not on talking terms due to frequent quarrels.
Mrs. Slater’s husband, Henry, and daughter, Victoria, live in the same house but rarely care about Mr. Merryweather’s health and happiness.
One day, Mrs. Slater finds her father lying motionless on his bed. Assuming the worst, she declares him dead.
She asks Victoria to change into sober clothes as a sign of respect, assuming they are mourning her father’s demise.


Greed & Quarrel:

Henry joins them, and the three start rearranging Abel’s belongings for their own benefit.
Henry sends a message to the Jordans, who are on their way to the house.
Aware of the impending inheritance, Henry encourages Victoria to take her father’s slippers.
They move Mr. Merryweather’s bureau into their room, replacing their old, creaky chest.
Victoria is unhappy with this disregard for the recently departed’s belongings.


Mr. Merryweather Alive:

To everyone’s surprise, Mr. Merryweather reawakens and prepares to come down to talk with them.
He hasn’t seen his estranged daughter, Elizabeth, in years.
The fact that everyone is dressed in mourning attire baffles him.


Excuses to Hide Greed:

Mrs. Slater tries to cover up their greed by saying that Ben has had a family bereavement.
They discuss funeral arrangements and the distribution of Mr. Merryweather’s possessions.
The materialistic attitudes of Mrs. Slater and Mrs. Jordan come under bitter criticism.

In summary, “The Dear Departed” satirizes the degradation of moral values in the British middle class, highlighting greed, hypocrisy, and family dynamics. It serves as a humorous commentary on human behavior when faced with material gain.