Question

In what way is the play The dear departed a satirical comment on the nature of human beings?

Answer 1

The present state of human relations is quite grim! The once quite healthy and robust relations have become quite tenuous! The canker that has undermined the strength of human relations is materialism. What has happened to human values? The morals have gone so down that prime purpose of man's existence is pecuniary pursuits. Man has stooped so low that he sacrifices even the most sacred relations for the sake of material gains. Gone are the days of brotherly, sisterly, fatherly, or motherly love. Man can break all ties of love and respect for the sake of money and property! All ethics, etiquette, decency, and decorum have gone to dogs. Life has become merely trade, commerce and profit earning. So wherever man finds some financial gain or advantage, he honors those relations. The rest is least said the better! The play 'Dear Departed' beautifully depicts this degradation of human moral values. The story is an apt satire on human selfishness, greed, and follies. Slaters and Jordans actually represent all the men and women of the modern society who are devoid of filial affections, and responsibilities.