2. Discuss the irony in the title 'The Dear Departed'.
3. List the arguments the two sisters made to keep their father in their care.
4. How does the quarrel between the old man's daughters lead to father discovering the truth?
5. List the comic elements in the play 'The Dear Departed'.
6. In what way is the play 'The Dear Departed' a commentary on the hollowness of human
relationships?
7. What are the three things that the father plans to do on Monday next? What effect does
it have on his daughters?
II. Arrange the following sentences in sequence so that a continuous narrative
1. One day Mrs. Slater felt that Abel Merryweather had died.
of the story of 'The Dear Departed' could be made.
1. One day Mrs. Slater felt that Abel Merryweather had die.
2. Suddenly Victoria came into the room telling that grandfather was moving.
3. The Slaters and the Jordans wanted to ascertain if Abel Merryweather had paid his
insurance premium.
4. Abel Merryweather found fault with the two daughters and wanted to change his will.
5. Before the arrival of the Jordans, the Slaters had pinched Abel's bureau and clock.
6. Victoria was sent to Abel Merry Weather's room to bring the key bunch of the bureau.
7. Abel Merryweather informed that he was going to marry Mrs. John Shorrocks.
8. The Slaters sent a telegram to the Jordans about the death of Abel Merryweather.
III. Here is a list of traits of a personality. Tick (3) the traits that describe
Mrs. Slater's character.
a) Greedy b) Overpowering c) Honest d) Sensitive e) Dominating
f) Blunt g) Straight talking h) Humble i) Impolite j) Insensitiv
IV. The following are the features of a one act play. Which of the following
characteristics does the play 'The Dear Departed' have? Justify.
a) Minimal characters b) Single setting or unity of place
c) One act with one or more scenes d) Focus on one incident
e) Limited time f) Twist ending