The Dear Departed - Summary and Interpretation

 Overview

    The tragic reality of contemporary nuclear families, torn apart by personal interests and aspirations, is illustrated in the story Dear Departed. The story takes place at the Slater's home, reflecting society as a whole. Mrs. Slater resides with her two daughters, Mr. Abel Merryweather's daughters. Elizabeth, the other daughter, and her spouse Ben continue their own lives.

Summary and Interpretation

    Merryweather Is Still Lying Down The two sisters don't get along well since they fight all the time when they're together. Henry, the spouse of Mrs. Slater, and their daughter Victoria reside in the house with her father, although they don't always give a damn about his well-being.

    Mrs. Slater discovers her father unconscious and stretched out on his bed one day. She declares him deceased, assuming the worse. As an expression of respect for her father's passing, she asks Victoria to change into sober attire.

Greed and Quarrel

    After Henry joins them, the three begin organizing Abel's belongings for their own gain. The Jordans were en route to the residence when Henry sent them a message. Henry is urged to grab her father's slippers by his wife, who is aware of the approaching time.

 
    Then, instead of keeping their old, creaky chest in their room, the two relocate her father's bureau. Victoria vocally expressed her displeasure, but to no effect, and Henry was not pleased with Victoria's apparent indifference towards the belongings of the recently deceased.
The sisters offer each other a frigid, usual kiss as soon as the Jordans arrive.

    Without any delay, the four of them begin discussing the burial and, in particular, the bequest of their father's belongings. The deceased's obituary's contents and insurance are reviewed.
    Victoria is asked to go to her grandfather's room by Mrs. Slater as they begin to divide up his belongings. She drags herself to the room with reluctance, irritated by her mother's avarice and coldness.

Mr. Merryweather Alive

    But when she comes back, her face is painted in a white terror. She tells them that the dead have returned to life and are getting ready to descend to speak with each of them.
Since his daughter and her boyfriend haven't seen each other in a number of years, Mr. Merryweather is taken aback to see them in the house. He finds it incomprehensible that everyone is dressed in mourning attire.

Excuses to Hide Greed

    In an attempt to allay suspicions, Mrs. Slater claims that Ben recently experienced a family bereavement and that they were paying respect to the deceased by dressing accordingly.
Her father looks around and sees that Henry is wearing his shoes. Victoria takes them in an instant and extends an offer to him. When his father inquires about his bureau, Mrs. Slater is embarrassed and finds a good reason to move it.

 
    Using the occasion to poke fun at her sister, Elizabeth charges Henry and her of pilfering. The Slaters become agitated by this, and both couples start pointing fingers and yelling names. When the truth is eventually revealed, their father is horrified by their lack of empathy and concern for him.

    He musters the bravery to resolve to make significant changes starting on Monday. He starts by making fun of his daughters by threatening to give his will to the one whose house he dies in. As would be expected, the sisters start arguing about it too.

Merryweather’s Decision

    He calms everyone by announcing that Mrs. Shorrocks, a church employee, will receive all he owns because she genuinely cares for him and loves him.

    After getting married, they will look after one another for the rest of their lives. Towards the end, he asks his daughters and their avaricious spouses to come to the wedding to bless the bride and groom, all while maintaining a cheeky tone.