Answer any one of the following questions in 80-100 words. The word 'Letter' is interwoven in the text and imparts us the value of letters which are living documents of human emotions. Justify.
OR
How is hypocrisy of the two sisters brought out in the play, 'The Dear Departed' ?
Answers
Letters and envelopes are not merely dead pieces of paper. They are the living documents of human love and concern Who else but Ali can explain it well, who, through the whole story, kept on waiting for his daughter Miriam's letter. He even gave up hunting as, after his daughter's marriage, he realized the essence of love and the pangs of separation. These pang; of separation transformed even the postmaster who could also understand the agony of a separated father when he himself waited for his sick daughter's letter. Only a man with a father's heart can understand the anxiety and worry of another father who is separated from his child. The whole story revolves around the letter which both the postmaster and Ali waited for. Ali gave five gold guineas to Lakshmi Des to deliver his letter at his grave, after his death, telling us the importance of Miriam's letter. Thus, due importance must be given to letters and they should not be treated as mere pieces of paper. We must realize the value of relations.
OR
The two sisters in the play lived by double standards. Each of them tried to surpass the other. Amelia tried to steal the bureau before Elizabeth's arrival whereas Elizabeth was late because she wanted to reach there in mourning dress. She was in no hurry to reach to her father's house even after hearing the news of his death. Both of them laid more stress on getting materialistic gains from Abel's death as Amelia wanted to steal the clock whereas Elizabeth wanted grandfather's watch. Their hypocrisy reached its height when at tea, they discussed about the newspaper announcement even before confirming his death. But when Abel came down, both of them were shocked. Further they got a terrible blow when their father announced his marriage with Mrs. Shorrocks and the change of his will