Sunday, April 27, 2008

A DEVOTED SON

A DEVOTED SON

Introduction to the Story and the Author

This story opens up the age old debate of generation gap. As we read It me story we will be in a position to express our understanding of devotion. This sure am Awes us to dwell a little into geriatric (pertaining to old age) psychology that is fast plaint significance in recent times.

'A Devoted Son’ is a short story about how peoples attitudes vary in differed circumstances A proud father of a doctor son with sterling personals undergoes a sea change in his attitude towards the end of his life. The story elicits ideas like who is a devoted son? How devoted can a doctor son be? and the like.

Mrs. Anita Desai is popular writer in English. Some of her famous novels include fire on the Mountain; Cry the Peacock, Voices in the City, Bye Bye Blackbird and several short story collections. 'A Devoted Son' is taken from Games at Prilith and other stories

Synopsis

Rakesh was the son of Varma, a worker in the kerosene dealer's depot. He worked very hard and passed every examination in first division. The family celebrated his success with great revelry and joy. His M.D. thesis was much appreciated though only in medical circles. He went to the U.S.A. to acquire professional skill and expertise in his field. In all these years, what amused everyone is not his achievement alone but his respect and humility to his parents.

Many wondered that he still, paid obeisance to his parents at every occasion. And now contrary to popular expectations he returned to India and married the girl of his mother’s choice. Soon he settled down with a clinic, a car and began his practice as a surgeon became the best and the richest doctor in the town. This can certainly be called the achievement of a lifetime. Added to this is the fact that he touches his parent’s feet as a devoted son.

As years passed by, his mother died. He took great care of his father. He brought his morning tea; read newspaper for him; took him to the garden in the evenings for a breath of fresh air. During summer he helped his father sleep in the open lawn. He made the servants carry the old man's bed to the lawn and he personally helped him down the steps on to the bed. After his return from the clinic, every evening he sat with his father and spent some tune with him.

Then came a time when he had to restrict his father’s diet. As he was ageing, rich and fatty foods like oil, ghee, butter, cheese etc. had to be cut down. Sweets were completely forbidden. The old man could not control his tongue. So, he bribed his young grandchildren to get him jilebis from the market. However this arrangement did not last long. Rakesh caught his son red handed and he got furious with his father. He scolded his father, for not only spoiling his health but also teaching children to lie. Since then there was heavy restriction on the old man's food besides heavy supervision of the same.

Mr. Varma felt insulted by all these activities. He felt it was unbecoming of his son to behave in such a manner. Though from Rakesh’s point of view, he was only doing his duty to his father. And that he does all this for his fathers benefit and not out of discourtesy. But his father was dissatisfied with everything. He shared his grief with his neighbor Bhatia who was also old and adamant. As if adding insult to injury, his daughter-in-law who carried out the instructions of Rakesh regarding the old man's diet, seemed to relish the act of denying something that he liked most. As is bound to happen he fell ill. On one occasions during his second grandchild’s birth day he lied down like a corpse, stretching on ends and became the main focus of attention. The celebrations had to be abandoned. Soon he got up and spat a mouthful of betel juice, dispelling all the anxiety. Since then his stretching like a corpse became a regular feature but not the attention he demanded.

The number of pills and medicines increased. Though Rakesh did them all with affection and care for his old father, Varma was not ready to believe it. His loneliness intensified. A stage came when he had to react sharply to his son's advice. He began to woo death. He made it clear to his son that he had no intention to live. He refused his tonic and said that he did not want to survive on medicines. Despite the fact that Rakesh was indeed a devoted son, Varma refused to recognize it. And he died refusing to recognize it

15 comments:

Unknown said...

It was really a nice short story by anita desai ....

sadiella said...

this short summery was easy to understand.i liked it

Anubhav said...

It was a great story..and a good explaination.. I understand very well

Prantik Basak said...

ironical story....we learn that professionalism doesnt work in family relations....we also learn that we must add life to days,and not days to life....

Prantik Basak said...

ironical story....we learn that professionalism doesnt work in family relations....we also learn that we must add life to days,and not days to life....

Unknown said...

From the point of the father he was not a Devoted son as he did not give him the things that he like..So is the title fully approved? I will be helpful if i get the answer

Unknown said...

I recommend A Devoted Son written by Desai to any reader interested in learning about how cultural differences can impact a family structure. A Devoted Son starts all the way in India with a small family. A man who works in the fruit market and an uneducated woman, they had a son, Rakesh, with an unpromising future. Rakesh grew up to be an intelligent young man and came over seas to America to continue his higher education in medical school. Soon after he became top of his class and finished his educational journey. He went back to India to rejoin his humble family and modest past life style. He was welcomed home with open arms by his family and many. Rakesh soon became a humble doctor and a successful man with a family of his own. His mother became ill and later died. His father then became depressed and became ill soon after also. Rakesh felt it was his duty to help his father maintain his health and keep him alive. He supplied his father with an ample amount of medication. His father became frustrated and angry because Rakesh restricted him from things that made him happy in order to keep him healthy and alive. After a long process of fighting and suffering to keep his son happy he finally refused to accept his son’s medication and then soon died to rest in an eternal peace.
The biggest struggle throughout the story is the struggle of happiness. Rakesh didn’t understand that his father’s happiness is more important than being alive. The father didn’t understand that his son wanted to help him and only was trying to do what he thought was best for his father. Rakesh broke tradition and took over the head of the house and felt he had the power to do so because he was intelligent and educated and his father was no longer a strong man and a leader for his family. Rakesh saw that as long as his father was alive and thought that as long as he was on Earth that he would be happy and that’s all he needed. His father soon came to teach him that it is all the small things in life that matter and that make people happy like good food, and candy for example. He thought there was really no point to him living if he couldn’t do as he wished and enrich himself with the goods he desired.

shyam said...

It's not told in the story that varma dies .

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I like the story as it was easy to understand from this summery. Nice story by anita desai

Unknown said...

Really got me thinking. Thank you Anita Desai.I will be teaching your story this September and Im looking forward.How I wish I could ask you something...

explore said...

Nice post

yosabrams0918 said...

Aw, this was a very nice post. In concept I would like to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and actual effort to make a very good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and by no means seem to get something done. free online casino slots

Anonymous said...

nice post

callyscagwin said...

Worseshoe Casino in Atlantic City, NJ - All About Them
Win 강원랜드후기 Real Money at the World's Best Online 토토 프로토 Casino. We provide 1xbet you with the best in casino gaming and slots. Discover 포커룰 our promotions 가상화폐 종류 and promotions.