Question

bring out the irony in the title ' the dear departed'

Answer 1

The irony in the story 'The Dear Departed' is that Mrs. Slater and Mrs. Jordan, the selfish and unethical daughters of the protagonist make all efforts  to secure as many things of their father as is possible. Mrs. Slater wants to have more than Mrs. Slater, and vice versa. But Mr. Abel Merryweather turns all the tables on his daughters at the end. He comes to know about their wicked intentions and takes the decision of getting married to Mrs. John Shorrock and altering his will.

Answer 2

The title 'Dear Departed' hints at the parting of someone who is dear to his family, the parting can be for good as well. But as the story progresses, the reader is dawned with the realization that Mr. Abel Merryweather is neither dear nor he has departed as his deep sleep was mistaken by his daughter as death and her greed to get possession of his father is revealed to him when he gets up from his sleep and finds both of his daughters competing with each other to get hold of his belongings. Since he is shocked at the materialistic attitude of his daughters he decides to marry and start his life afresh.