Summary and Exercises of A Devoted Son : Anita Desai

A Devoted Son

[By : Anita Desai]

[A Devoted Son]

Introduction :

This story is based on 'father-son relationship' in an Indian family. Dr. Rakesh, the devoted son of Mr. Varma, did every thing to keep his parents happy and satisfied. But as the story progresses, situations change, and change the father-son relationship.

After his mother's death the relationship between him and his father grew tensed. Their perceptions (the way something is regarded, understood or interpreted) changed.

Mr. Varma mistook his son's efforts of treating him. He misinterpreted Rakesh's efforts to be only exercising power over him. 

There remained no warmth of love between the two. The old man didn't find any joy in his life. Gradually he developed a death instinct. And, sadly one evening the old man left the world rejecting to take any more medicine.

The title is ironic because Rakesh was so overtly devoted and loyal to his father that he wouldn't let his father do what he wanted to do. And this ultimately became the main reason of the old man's death.

Main Characters of the Story:

1. Main Characters

• Rakesh : The central character, son of Mr. Varma, fully devoted to his parents. He has a successful career as a doctor
• Mr. Varma : Rakesh's father, the head of the family, in his final years he had been restricted to follow his doctor son's health guidelines which he could not accept

2. Flat Characters

• Veena : Rakesh's wife, always supported to Rakesh
• Rakesh's mother: nothing is exposed of her either by action , or by dialogue
• Mr. Bhatia : Neighbour and friend of Mr. Varma

Summary :

The story is written in an Indian background, and about an Indian family.

Rakesh was the most ideal son an Indian family would be proud of. He was a brilliant student, respectful to his parents, and a fully devoted son to them.

The story opens with the vibrant (lively, high spirited) news of his grand success in the result of his medical test. His name was in the top list of the country. There was a big family celebration. His neighbours came and congratulated him. 

Since then success kissed his steps one after another. He won a scholarship, went to the USA. He did better there too. He started his career in a most prestigious hospital there. 

But finally he returned back to his country to live with his family and to pursue his career there. His mother was extremely glad because he had not married an American girl. He rather married a girl (Vini) of his mother's choice. 

For some years he worked in the city hospital. He got a promotion there too. Then he left his job there and started his own clinic. He was a renowned (famous/celebrated) surgeon and was the most rich person around there.

However, after some years his mother passed away. This had a very shocking effect on the old man. His wife's death led him on the verge of depression.

He developed many complaints, and fell ill frequently. If sometimes he had real physical problems, and some times they were only his attention seeking behaviour. He started to behave in a strange way. 

But in spite of all this, Rakesh was never troubled or annoyed by his father's behaviour. As a true devoted son he was dutiful to the old man. He used to bring him his tea, press his feet, read news paper to him, making him sit comfortably and being kind and respectful to him. 

With the passage of time, the old man fell ill more and more. Every time his doctor-son had to be more strict to him. There were more and more restrictions on his diet. Almost all the food the old man liked/ enjoyed (like halwa, kheer, beetle, fried things etc.)were finally stopped. And every time the number of medicines increased.

This had a very negative effect on the old man. Their relationship was deteriorating (although from the father's side). He genuinely (to the fullest degree) believed that his son had turned tyrannical (dictatorial/ oppressive) to him, and mistreated him. 

Whenever Rakesh used to come to him with a new medicine or tonic, the old man used to react very badly. Finally he developed a heavy dislike for medicines. He rather wished for death, than taking medicines. 

Finally in one such evening when Rakesh came with a new tonic, the old man hurled it away shouting that he would not take any medicine. Then he closed his eyes and left the world.

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Point-Wise Breakdown of the Story :

1. Rakesh : The Brilliant Student and a Devoted Son :

Rakesh is the central character of the story.

He used to be very intelligent student on his studies. He was a wunderkind (person who achieves great success when relatively young).

The story opens with the publication of his result of medical science, and he had stood first in the entire country.

2. The Family Celebration :

Rakesh was the first son in their family to receive an education. His father and mother were uneducated and were poor.  But they used  to work hard to provide their son a good education. 

As a very devoted student, Rakesh went to his father (Mr. Varma) with the news paper in his hand, and bowed down and touched his feet, and gave him the news. His grand success was a matter of great pride for the family. So Mr. Varma organized a big party to celebrate his son's achievement

Every one congratulated Rakesh, although some of them were envious too. But all the neighbours were impressed by Rakesh's acquiescence (acceptance) to tradition and devotion to his family .

3. Bigger Achievements :

His achievement was not only limited to this success only. His labour and intelligence took him to the radiant (shining/ bright) heights of fame and fortune. He didn't have to look back since then. He stepped on and on the stairs of success. 

He wrote thesis for his M.D. He won his scholarship. He went to the US. He worked in the most prestigious (reputable) hospital and earned much name and fame there. 

4. Rakesh Returns to India :

In spite of all these successes, he neither married there, nor thought of settling there. He returned back to his birthplace. 

This was a great pleasure and comfort for his mother that he hadn't married a foreign girl, as her neighbours had told her .

Rakesh married a girl of his mother's choice. Her name was Veena. She was the daughter of his mother's childhood friend. She was uneducated, but was of good natured. She adjusted herself into the family very quickly.

5. Rakesh's Career in His Place : 

There he started working at the city hospital. he worked hard, and finally he became a director there.

Later he set-up his own clinic, and was successful in that too. Now he was not only the best, but was also the richest doctor in the town.

With the passage of time, his father retired from his post at the kerosene depot, and soon his mother too left the world.

6. Trouble Enters the Family :

His mother's death brought a turn in the happy family. It started with his father. 

His wife's death had had made a negative effect on the old man. He started to feel himself alone and neglected. He also developed symptoms of depression, and started to show attention seeking behaviour.

For example, one day it was his grand son's birthday party. Every body was enjoying it. Suddenly the old man pretended to be dead during the party. The family was distressed. They stopped the party, and sent back the guests. Then the old man sat up and let others know he was alive and well.

But still Rakesh never complained or became angry. He was at the service of his father without a single streak of complaint or annoyance on his face. He used to bring the old man his tea, pressed his feet, read newspaper to him.

7. Restrictions on Food : The Old Man's Dissatisfaction :

With age Varma's health was deteriorating. So Rakesh had to put certain restrictions on his food. He was denied sweets, fried or oily food, beetle etc. Almost everything that the old man liked or enjoyed, was in the list of restricted food. 

This of-course had a very adverse effects on their relationship. The old man's dissatisfaction with Rakesh grew more and more.

8. Bribing Grandchildren :

On one or two occasions Mr. Varma even bribed is grandchildren to buy sweets for him from the market. But on one such event Rakesh came to know it. He became and shouted at his father for spoiling himself and for spoiling the children too.

9. Strain on Their Relationship: The Old Man's Changed Perspective:

Gradually there came a strain (tension/ pressure) on their relationship. The old man's perspective (point of view/ way of regarding something) towards his son was changed. 

Although Rakesh was still devoted to his father, but as a doctor he had to restrict the old man's diet. But the old man's interpretation was changed. He thought Rakesh had changed, and not liked to give him enough to eat, or to give good things to eat. He also used to take Rakesh's restrictions to be a cold-heartedness, and a tyranny on him. 

As time passed, the old became more a victim of negative thinking that his son had changed. He missed those days when his wife used to give him spicy fried food and sweets.

The only pleasure that he used to get was in complaining against his son to his friend Bhatiya. 

10 . More Medicine, Less Food :

As the time continued, Varma's condition deteriorated . Every time he developed some new ailments, every time Rakesh gave him more medicines, and forced his father to take them. This made Mr. Varma grew weaker and weaker.

11. Mr. Varma Developed a Black Despondency (a desire to die) :

Mr. Varma couldn't like this changed life style. He felt he was being over-controlled. His wishes were ignored, taunted by daughter in law, and grandchildren kept away from him (particularly after his bribery was caught). 

He developed more and more depression, and finally he lost all desires to live. He developed a desire to die. He wanted to die instead of depending on medicines and under the strict supervision of Rakesh. 

12. That Tragic Afternoon:

That tragic day as Rakesh returned from his clinic, he brought a new medicine (tonic) and insisted his father to take it. But the old man did not only rejected it, but also swept the bottle from Rakesh's hand,  and it was broken.

Then he lay on the bed murmuring that God was calling him. Here readers assume that he left the world for ever.

13. Conclusion :

The story encompasses several themes (like family, humility, transfer of role of 'man of the house' etc.), but it majorly focuses on two major dimensions of human life. They are :

*changing human relationship, and 

*old age psychology

*Changing human relationship : 

Primarily the story explores the theme of human relationship -- in this instance 'father son relationship'. 

Human relationship is never constant or unvarying (not changing). With time and events affecting human relationship changes. Here the case is changing 'father son relationship'. 

In the beginning they have a close-knit relationship. There is love, admiration, devotion, and respect. The old man is proud of his son. 

But by the end of the story their relationship goes a sea change. Now there is resentment (bitterness) and hostility (conflict/ unfriendliness).

The major reasons of this change are Rakesh's strict control over Mr. Varma's diet, Mr. Varma's old age, and the old man's changed perspective.

* Old age psychology :   

Another important theme of this story is 'old age psychology'. Aging comes with lots of changes in one's life -- not only physical changes, but also changes in one's familial, social positions, surroundings, and controlled daily activities. The entire life-style is changed. 

With the passage of time most of them become bed ridden. Slowly they lose connections with friendship network.

Some people experience loneliness and depression either because of living alone, or due to the the lack of close family ties. 

Exactly this happened with old Mr. Varma. After the death of his wife, he became all alone. Rakesh was busy with his profession, Veena mostly busy with house hold chores(works that have to be done regularly at home like, cooking, cleaning, washing etc.), and grand children busy with their friends. 

To worsen the situation, with deteriorating health problems, most unwillingly he had to submit himself to the restricted diet as prescribed by his son. He never liked it. Mostly he used to be all alone, only sometimes his old friend Mr. Bhatia coming to meet him.

This loneliness developed  a depression in him. He started to feel unloved, unwanted and a burden on the family.

He grew more and more and more depressed. 

This depression led to the development of an antagonistic feeling towards his son and his family, and his perspective towards them changed.

This changed perspective had an adverse effect on their relationship.

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Exercises:

Before reading :

Question a. Will you be ready to sacrifice your career, status, and economic opportunities for the good of your parents ?

Answer : 

This is really a very difficult question. This is like being torn into two pieces.

Sacrificing career or status etc. is an extreme end, and my parents, too, wouldn't like it. I think there is middle way.  Along with career and economic opportunities, we can take a good care of our ageing parents. And I shall try to find such a middle way.

Question b. In your view what are the qualities of a devoted son ?

Answer :

I think the followings are the qualities of a devoted son/ daughter :

1. The first ever in this list is being obedient to their parents.

2. The second one is being dutiful to them. The children should make their parents proud of them by their deeds.

3. They must be lovable, respectful, caring to them.

4. The definition and qualities of being devoted change with age. In their old age parents need more care both physically and psychologically. Children should not let their ageing parents feel being neglected or being a burden.

Understanding the text :

Question a. How did the morning papers bring ambiance of celebration in the Varma family ?

Answer : 

Rakesh had taken finals of his medical exam, and the family was waiting for his results. That day the papers brought the news of his grand success -- he had stood first in the country. That brought ambiance of celebration in the family.

Question b. How did the community celebrate Rakesh's success ?

Answer : 

Mr. Varma organized a big party to celebrate the grand success of his son. Every one participated in the party with joy and warmth. They congratulated him with with slaps on his back. They gave him several gifts and praised him much.

Question c. Why was Rakesh's success a special matter of discussion in the neighbourhood ?

Answer : 

Neither Mr. Varma, nor his wife was educated. Rakesh was the first son in the family to receive an education, and he brought such a magnificent result. So his success was a special matter of discussion in the neighbourhood.

 

Question: d.  How does the author make fun with the words 'America' and 'the USA' ?

Answer : 

As his son had been to the USA, Mr. Varma had an air of superiority. He wanted to show his knowledge and superiority over his ignorant neighbours to call it the USA, rather than 'America' as his ignorant neighbours called it.

Question: e. How does the author characterize Rakesh's wife ?

Answer : 

She is a favorable girl, and supportive of  Rakesh. She takes care of her father-in-law. But ironically, she takes as much care of the old man only as much Rakesh would prescribe it, and never did any thing on her own. She maintained only an objective relationship with the old man.

Question f. Describe how Rakesh rises in his career ?

Answer :

Rakesh had touched the peak of success in his career. But this success didn't come with the blink of an eye. It was his intelligence, constant labour, utter devotion to his work and parents. which had made it possible.

His labour took him to the US, where he got career opportunity in a most prestigious hospital. 

Returning back to his nation, he worked in the city hospital, where he was promoted up to post of Director. After some times he started his own clinic, and there also he became quite successful.

Question g. How does the author describe Rakesh's family background ?

Answer :

Rakesh is from a poor background. Both his parents are uneducated. His mother was a housewife, and father used to work in a kerosene dealer's depot. They used to live in a small house in a shabby, stinking colony.

Question h. What is the impact of Rakesh's mother's death on his father ?

Answer :

His death had a very bad impact on the old man. It made him physically and mentally ill. He missed his wife who used to give him sweets and spicy dishes. 

He developed a sense of being neglected. So sometimes he used to make attention seeking activities, even sometimes faking death.

Question i. What did Rakesh do to make his father's old age more comfortable ?

Answer : 

He did every possible thing to make his father's old age more comfortable. He himself used to bring him the morning tea in his favourite pot. He used to read newspaper for him. He used to bring the old man to take open evening air. He had made arrangements that his wife and servants looked after him properly.

Question j. Why did the old man try to bribe his grand children ?

Answer : 

Rakesh didn't allow his father to eat sweets. So the old man bribed his grand children to fetch him some jalebis from the shop at the cross roads.

Question k. Are Mr. Varma's complaints about his diets reasonable ? How ?

Answer : Taking the view point of the old man, his complaints seem reasonable. After all eating controlled tasteless diets for long is just tedious and monotonous..

But it is not genuinely reasonable. His doctor-son could not allow him to eat things which would be harmful for his physical health. Rather the old man shouldn't have behaved like a child and insisted for unhealthy food . 

Reference to the context

Question a. How did Varma couple make sacrifices for their son's higher education ?

Answer : 

They had made enough sacrifices in their lives for Rakesh's higher education. Though they themselves were uneducated, they did much for Rakesh's education. 

Though they were poor, still managed money to pay for Rakesh's school/college fees and other expenses. The mother worked hard in the family to make things better for her child. They didn't make Rakesh realize about their struggle to send him for his education.

Question b. Mr. Varma suffers from diseases one after another after his wife's death. Would he have enjoyed better health if she had not died before him ?

Answer : 

Much of Varma's problems were psychological, rather than physical ailments. His wife's death had a bad effect on him. He developed a sort of depression. He felt himself ignored in the family. 

He often  missed his wife who was there to fulfil his desires. He was not even able to share his heart with anybody.  He started to think his son (and other family members) only to be antagonistic (hostile/ opposed) towards him.

Due to such psychological status even the medicine didn't work properly. So there is no doubt that he would have enjoyed a better health if his wife had not died before him.

Question c. Dr. Rakesh is divided between a doctor and a son. As a son, he loves his father and worries about his weakening health, but as a doctor he is strict on his father's diet and medicine. In your view, what else could Rakesh have done to make his father's final years more comfortable ?

Answer :

Rakesh was badly torn into two pieces -- his love for father and duty of a doctor. Though he used to understand what his father wanted from him, he was unable to fulfil his desires. However, he could have done certain things to make the old man's life still more comfortable, for example :

1. he could have spoken more politely with him instead of  using a tensed tone,

2. from time to time he could have talked about some familial pleasant memories, or could have talked about his mother,

3. he could have arranged  one or two weekly family gatherings with the old man, joining his wife and children too, perhaps could have played some indoor games like Ludo,

4. From time to time he could have given a little relaxation in the tight everyday menu (diet).

Question d. What does the story say about the relationship between grandfather and grandchildren ?

Answer :

 The relationship between grandfather and grandchildren was sweet and friendly. They have their have their secrets. Had it not been so, Mr. Varma would not have tried to bribe them for fetching sweets for him.

Question e. Do you call Rakesh a devoted son ?

Answer : 

It's a difficult question to answer. Even in the later part of his days Mr. Varma himself doesn't think so. The ending of the story doesn't  present him to be a devoted son. 

But I think that Rakesh was a dutiful son. From the very beginning he does every thing expected from him. He has expressed his devotion in various ways. 

As his father grows old, and needs more care, Rakesh continues to take care of his needs. Even till the end he has been respectful and attentive to his father. But his duty as a physician causes him to become unaware of his father's wishes.

Reference beyond the text

Question a. Write an essay on The Parents' Ambition for their Children in Nepali Society. You must give at least five examples.

Answer : 

'The Parents' Ambition for their Children in Nepali Society'

It is natural for parents to have ambitions for their children. Such ambitions may differ from country or from society to society, but certain ambitions are universal, the same in all the societies. 

The major ambition that parents have for their children is that they may excel (be very good/ be excellent) in life. All parents want their children to be independent and successful. They set higher ambitions for them, and encourage them to achieve higher goals too.

[They set higher ambitions for their children]

 To achieve this, they make sacrifices to send their children to best schools and colleges, so that they can get qualitative education. But sometimes over expectation almost kill children. 

Discipline is another aspect of parents' ambition. All parents want their children to be well disciplined. Society judges parents on that basis. 

In most western societies parents don't have much ambitions regarding marriage, or having children etc. But in societies like India, Nepal, parents want their children to choose their spouses according to their wishes, as Rakesh did in this story.

Parents also want their children to take care of them in their old age. In some areas parents feel hurt if sons take side of their wives in in familial disputes.

They expect love, care attention when they grow old.

Question b. Medicines replace our diets in the old age. What can be done to make old age less dependent on medicine ?

Answer : 

Medication is an important part of medical care for older people. Mostly older people have multiple medical disorders, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis etc., apart from serious ailments (illness) like heart troubles etc.

With every disease their number of medicines increase and gradually they (medicines) replace normal diets in the old age. The same happened with Mr. Varma in this story. 

Well, there is nothing to do -- if you have illness, you have to take medicines. Our old age becomes dependent on medicines and attendants.

But there are certain things which we can do to make old age less dependent on medicines. . You have nothing big to do for this -- just a change in  life style. However, the preparation should start before the arrival of the old age.

The first thing is physical activity. You love it or not, physical activity is a must for a healthy ageing. People who exercise regularly, not only live longer, but also live better. 

The next thing is maintaining healthy food choices. If you eat a healthy balanced food, including some food in a regular basis, will help maintaining immunity power. Making smart food choices, low salt diet is most important. This will also check maintaining healthy weight too. Adults with obesity (being excessive fat) increase risks of many diseases.

Another very important aspect is staying away from smoking and taking alcohol. This will keep many illnesses away.

So by following such things we can make our old age less dependent on medicines.

Question c. Write an essay on "Care of Elderly Citizens" in about 300 words.

Answer 

Care of Elderly Citizens

"To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honours" -- Tia Walker 

[It is our duty to take care of our elderly citizens]

Elderly people are the treasures of wisdom and real life experience. They are the people who have seen and done a lot, and can teach us a great deal about life. It is not only important, but also our moral duty to take care of them.

In traditional family system elders are highly regarded. The sad thing is that due to the recent trends in family patterns elders are losing their importance, and are often left uncared for and unattended in the society.

[Love and care your seniors]

Taking care of elderly is very important responsibility of the youth. But sadly enough they have little time to spend with the elderly people. They are either busy with hunting for a job, or have very busy schedule. So they have very little time to spend with elderly citizens.

But they never expect big things from us. We don't have to do much taking care of them. Simple things are enough. One simple thing is to spend some time with them on a regular basis, and to talk with them. They should feel we adore them and care for them.

[Take care of elderly citizen]

Youths can tell them about wonders of modern science or things like that. Sometimes they can entertain them by playing indoor games like Ludo, Cards, scrabble etc. 

 

 [Playing indoor games is the perfect idea to keep elders happy]

Sometimes you can help them make video calls with those whom they miss most often. If the old people are not bed-ridden, we can take them for a short walk. Such things keep them joyful.

It is very important to take them to the doctor for a regular health check up.

[Visiting doctors with them for a regular check-up]

Yes, sometimes they need some special care when they are sick by providing them medicines, hot water, or other such things.

[Elderly People Should Be Kept Happy]

In short we should try to keep our elderly citizens entertained and comfortable. They should never have the feeling of being alienated or being an unwanted burden to the family.

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[Image credit: # Image no.4 : Saundrya Shakya # Image no.5. : Sumi Shakya  # Other Images: Google]