Question

Bring out the irony in the title of the play dear departed

Answer 1

The irony in the play is that all the members of the family consider Abel as dead even though he's not. They start up didving all the things even without checking if he's dead or alive. The humorous part is that the Jordan's prefer tea over looking the dead body of grandfather. Instead of being sad, they fight over for things and merrily decide what to write in the newspaper declaration. They all get a wonderful shock when Abel comes downstairs.

Answer 2

There is irony in the title of the play as here the departed is the grandfather and he is believed to be dear to his daughters and sons-in-law. While they do not exactly wait for his departure from this world, they do not even regret his sudden passing away. They do not even try to find out if their father is actually dead or not. They simply assume him to be dead. They do pretend that they are sad but they actually look forward to get his property and wealth. Finally, in the end of the play when they realize that the grandfather is alive and he wants to alter his will, they quarrel in front of him. Thus, the departed is dear only for a short period