The play shows how in morally bankrupt society money is predominating morality and human affection. The central figure of the play is Mr. Ovens. When the play begins, we see him sitting silent in his chair. In his early age he was a peasant. Then he came to town where he earned a lot of money. He also married a second wife.
Now, Mrs. Ovens, Annie, and her friend, Edie are sitting at the table waiting for the solicitor. Mr. Ovens is unhappy with his son, Fred. He wants to change his will to cut his son Mrs. Ovens is glad at the thought that now all the property of the old man will go to her.
In the meanwhile, Fred comes here. He is a young man of thirty-six. He hates his step-mother. She asks him to get out of the house immediately. He refuses and asks for some money. Mrs. Ovens is not ready to give him even a single cent. She tells him that his father hates him and does not want to see his face.
Soon, Mr. Skrimshire, the solicitor, arrives there. Fred asks him if he has come to deprive him of his share. He replies that he will do what ever he is told to do. Upon this Fred flares up. He curses his father and calls him "old devil". At this stage, Dr. Jellicoe comes. He examines the old man and pronounces him to be dead. In fact, he was dead many hours ago. But they could not suspect it.
Now Mr. Skrimshire reads out the will. He tells that Mr. Ovens has divided his property between his wife and son almost equally. However, the house where the old man dies falls to the share of Fred. Dr. Jellicoe and Mr. Skrimshire went out. Fred is now the sole owner of the house
He, at once, orders his step-mother to get out of it. She reluctantly leaves the house. Fred is left alone with the dead man. He looks at his father and tells him that he did not know that he was dead. Then he thought of being alone with the dead man terrifies him. He shudders with fear and runs out of the room. Thus, Mr. Ovens, even in his death, remains the owner of the house.
Now, Mrs. Ovens, Annie, and her friend, Edie are sitting at the table waiting for the solicitor. Mr. Ovens is unhappy with his son, Fred. He wants to change his will to cut his son Mrs. Ovens is glad at the thought that now all the property of the old man will go to her.
In the meanwhile, Fred comes here. He is a young man of thirty-six. He hates his step-mother. She asks him to get out of the house immediately. He refuses and asks for some money. Mrs. Ovens is not ready to give him even a single cent. She tells him that his father hates him and does not want to see his face.
Soon, Mr. Skrimshire, the solicitor, arrives there. Fred asks him if he has come to deprive him of his share. He replies that he will do what ever he is told to do. Upon this Fred flares up. He curses his father and calls him "old devil". At this stage, Dr. Jellicoe comes. He examines the old man and pronounces him to be dead. In fact, he was dead many hours ago. But they could not suspect it.
Now Mr. Skrimshire reads out the will. He tells that Mr. Ovens has divided his property between his wife and son almost equally. However, the house where the old man dies falls to the share of Fred. Dr. Jellicoe and Mr. Skrimshire went out. Fred is now the sole owner of the house
He, at once, orders his step-mother to get out of it. She reluctantly leaves the house. Fred is left alone with the dead man. He looks at his father and tells him that he did not know that he was dead. Then he thought of being alone with the dead man terrifies him. He shudders with fear and runs out of the room. Thus, Mr. Ovens, even in his death, remains the owner of the house.