Q6. The play ‘The Dear Departed’ brings out the negative qualities of
humans,
such as Greed and Avarice. These are the qualities that we as humans
need to
shun. Do you agree? If yes, how do you think we can ensure that we
do not
Answers
The play brings out many negative qualities of human beings like anger, greed, etc.
Greed is a term that is used for many human emotions and represents one's morality. It is associated with anger, jealousy, and envy. Being greedy makes one unstable and it causes a person to escape from his responsibilities and thoughtfulness.
It is needed for every human being to live a life without any greed or avarice.
However, it is not possible for everyone to live a life humbly without being greedy or angry. Greed is good if it is used for channeling the instincts towards the improvement of another person or for the betterment of the world.
Undoubtedly, Houghton’s ‘Dear Departed’ is a satire on man’s greed and hypocrisy. The playwright has brought forward both the human vices in the play. According to him the state of human relations in the current times 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.
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. Abel Merryweather was wronged and hurt by the vices of his own daughters. They treated to him like a stranger! They 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!
I wholeheartedly agree that these vices need to be shunned by human beings. If a unit or group of people has to live together happily, each group member must learn to respect the feelings of the others. Ego and vices should not be allowed to spoil the happy living together!