Chapter 11 The Dear Departed (one-act play) Notes - Class 9 English Punjab Board
Chapter-wise notes for Class 9 English Chapter 11, The Dear Departed (one-act play by Stanley Houghton), prepared for Punjab Board students, with solved exercises, dramatic comprehension questions, character analysis, MCQs, and grammar available to read online.
Chapter Overview
Chapter 11 of Class 9 English features the famous one-act satirical comedy "The Dear Departed" by British playwright Stanley Houghton. The play humorously yet bitingly criticizes the superficiality, greed, and lack of genuine family affection prevalent among relatives competing for an inheritance.
The plot centers on the Slater and Jordan sisters, who prematurely presume their elderly father, Abel Merryweather, has passed away and shamelessly quarrel over his grandfather clock, bureau, and slippers before he is even buried. The dramatic irony reaches its peak when the lively grandfather walks into the room, exposing his daughters' hypocrisy and announcing his new marriage plans.
In Punjab Board SSC Part 1 exams, "The Dear Departed" is a critical drama text assessed for character analysis, situational comprehension questions, dialogue interpretation, and advanced grammatical topics like reported speech and idiomatic expressions. These solved notes provide students with comprehensive, exam-ready answers aligned with the 2026-2027 PCTB syllabus.