Theme of the play the dear departed

1.	Theme of the play the dear departed
Answer» The theme is very appropriate and packed with great irony and wit that makes a farce of all relationships that are most intense and pious. Children like the Slaters and the Jordans are a blot on humanity and on the bonds of love and affection. Both Amelia and her sister consider their father Abel Merryweather a burden and his death is no loss to them. The father is taken lightly. Immediately\xa0after Abel’s supposed death, the elder daughter pinches his slippers, clock and his bureau. For both the daughters, father’s death is\xa0a kind of competition to outshine each other. There is no mourning in their hearts, but both the daughters vie with each other to\xa0wear the best mourning dress. Mrs Jordan wants to have her tea and snacks rather then looking at her dead father. Accusations are\xa0hurled at each other, death announcement is planned but no one spares a thought for the father. An obituary should reflect their\xa0feelings, that are non-existent. It is only the grand daughter Victoria, who is a sole witness to this game of pinching things and\xa0benefits. In a lighter tone, Abel Merryweather had sensed the mercenary nature of his daughter so he outwits them in their\xa0planning. He finds a widow to marry who would look after him better. The lesson ends on a humorous note but outlines a very\xa0tragic and pathetic concern – care of the elderly that is a glaring and ugly reality of today’s world.

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