how the hypocrisy of the two sisters brought out in the play The dear departed
Answers
There hypocrisy was brought forward by their reckless and indifferent attitude to their father. They easily considered him dead and rushed into division of his property with him lying asleep in his room! They neither went to his room to have a close look at him; nor sent for a doctor to have him examined! This was travesty of filial relationship. No doubt, their relationship ended so suddenly!
Amelia Slater and Elizabeth Slater are Abel Merryweather’s daughters. Both are greedy and materialistic, with no feelings for the family or each other, prepared to do anything, to get what they want.
One morning, thinking that their father is dead, they go about scheming on how to grab things for themselves, without any decency or modesty. But a little later, they realise that their father is not dead.
The father too is dismayed at his daughters and decides to remarry, so that he will have someone to look after him.
‘The Dear Departed’ is a play written by English dramatist Stanley Houghton (1881 – 1913).