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    In "The Dear Departed" by Stanley Houghton, the two daughters, Victoria and Amelia, initially do not seem concerned about their father's death because they are more focused on the material possessions that he has left behind. When their father dies, they believe that he has not left a will, and theyRead more

    In “The Dear Departed” by Stanley Houghton, the two daughters, Victoria and Amelia, initially do not seem concerned about their father’s death because they are more focused on the material possessions that he has left behind.

    When their father dies, they believe that he has not left a will, and they begin to argue over his furniture and other belongings. However, they soon discover a will that their father had written, which leaves all of his possessions to his wife (their stepmother). The daughters are outraged by this, and they accuse their stepmother of tricking their father into changing his will.

    Throughout the play, Victoria and Amelia are depicted as selfish and materialistic, and their behavior towards their father’s death is seen as callous and insensitive. They are more concerned with their own financial gain than with mourning their father’s passing, which highlights the greed and superficiality of their characters. In contrast, their stepmother is depicted as more genuine and caring towards their father, and she is ultimately the one who is left to grieve his loss.

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