CHARACTERS

• Rakesh: Son of Mr. Varma and a doctor

• Veena: Rakesh’s wife

• Varma: Rakesh’s Father

• Bhatia: Rakhesh’s neighbor, his father’s friend.

SUMMARY

The story "A Devoted Son" by Anita Desai is about the changing dynamics in the father-son relationship between Varma and Dr. Rakesh. It is a story about complicated family ties. It all comes down to the duty and love that Rakesh, the son, has for his parents. The son is raised by his father, begins working for money, and then faithfully takes care of his father. However, a crisis arises when his aging father begins to misinterpret his son's treatment.

Rakesh was a son born to illiterate parents. Varma, his father, worked as a kerosene vendor and dreamed for a long time of having a son who was educated. Rakesh was quick to get training for his age and he oversaw it well overall. When Rakesh passed his medical exam with the highest grade (flying colors) in the nation, the village felt proud. Presents from Varmaji's father's party included garlands, halwa, party attire, fountain pens, and even one or two watches. Rakesh went to the United States of America after winning a scholarship (Varmaji didn't know the difference between the United States and America), where he worked in some of the country's most prestigious hospitals. Rakesh loved America, but he loved his family more. Because of this, he returned to his village with a lot of money and touched his father's feet, which made the kerosene vendor proud. He got married to an Indian girl, which allayed the villagers' fears about marrying a foreigner. However, he wed a girl of their choosing who lacked education. They soon had a son.

Rakesh's rise continued, and he soon rose to the position of Director of the city hospital, the top administrative position, bought a car and opened a private clinic as well. It marked the start of his fortune. He took good care of his parents, though. He was a great doctor in addition to obeying his parents, making fun of his wife, hosting his friends, and enjoying his name and fame.

Rakesh's joyride, on the other hand, was cut short when his mother passed away, leaving his father mentally and physically ill and weak. When he learned that his father was close to passing away, his son's birthday party was canceled. Then, after returning from the clinic, he alters his schedule, brings his father morning tea, re the newspaper, and visits him. All of these didn't make the father happy, and the situation got worse when Rakesh started to control his diet by cutting out oily fried food and sweets. This worried the father, who saw these actions toward his son as disrespect, strictness, and abuse. His dad whined to his neighbors that Rakesh was severely concerning his well-being. The elderly man even used sweets to bribe his grandson.

The father-son relationship degenerated into chaos. The elderly man started to despise both his son and his daughter-in-law. Rakesh's wife avoided conflict with tact. His numerous efforts to improve his father's mental and physical well-being were fruitless. Varmaji declared with a determination that he did not require the medication for his son. Death was all he wanted.

Above all else, aging is cyclical, and we all will one day be in its shoes. Another name for it is the second childhood. Rakesh's father behaved like a child. We may become aware of the reality of this life by recalling this fact.

UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW

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

The morning papers reported that Rakesh Varma, Mr. Varma's son, had passed his medical exam and achieved the highest rank in the nation. This news caused the Varma family to celebrate because it was a source of pride for the family.

b. In what manner did the community commemorate Rakesh's achievement?

Rakesh's success was celebrated by the community by visiting his house, wishing him and his parents well, decorating his house and garden with music and color festivals, and giving him gifts like watches and fountain pens.

c. Why was the neighborhood particularly interested in Rakesh's success?

Rakesh's success was especially talked about in the neighborhood because he was the first person in the neighborhood to pass the medical exam and the only person to go to school in the family.

d. In what manner does the author mock the terms "America" and "the USA"?

The author makes fun of the terms "America" and "the USA" by tying them to Verma's way of using words, as he thought "the USA" was more important than "America." He stated that his ignorant neighbors should refer to America as America.

e. How is Rakesh's wife portrayed by the author?

The author describes Rakesh's wife as a passive, submissive, primitive, and uneducated young woman. She was so tranquil, obliging, and languid however excessively laid back and fat.

f. Describe Rakesh's career advancement.

Rakesh began his career as a physician at the city hospital and quickly rose through the ranks to become an administrative executive: in the organization and elevated to director status. After that, he started his private practice, bought a car, and soon became known as not only the best but also the wealthiest doctor in the area.

g. In what way does the author talk about Rakesh's family history?

The author describes Rakesh's upbringing as a man who was born to parents who were illiterate and extremely poor. His mother spent her entire life in the kitchen, and his grandparents sold vegetables. His father was a kerosene vendor.

h. How has Rakesh's father been affected by the death of his mother?

Rakesh's father was devastated by both his retirement and his wife's death. Even his son was unable to comprehend how quickly the elderly father collapsed and fell ill with a mysterious illness that was dubbed a peevish whim (sudden irritation in mind).

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

Rakesh gave his father morning tea in the old man's favorite brass tumbler, sat very close to him on his bed, and read out the morning news to him to make him feel even more at ease in his old age.

j. For what reason did the elderly person attempt to pay off his grandkids?

The elderly man used a trick to bribe his grandchildren so that he could eat Jalebis because his son forbade him from eating oy fried food and sweets.

k. Are Mr. Varma's criticisms of his diet reasonable? How?

Rakesh, as a devoted and obedient son and by profession, a doctor, is correct in his performances and activities because he conducts such activities for the healthy and better life of his sick father. However, from the perspective of an elderly father, Mr. Verma's complaints about his diet may not be reasonable.

REFERENCE TO THE CONTEXT

a. In what ways did the Varma family sacrifice for their son to go to college?

The Verma couple came from a poor family and was also illiterate. His mother worked in the kitchen, and his father was a kerosene dealer. His grandparents were also vendors of vegetables. Rakesh's parents put in a lot of effort and gave up everything they had, including their time, their money, and everything else, so that Rakesh could go to medical school and get a degree.

b. Since his wife died, Mr. Varma has developed a series of illnesses. If she hadn't died before him, would he have been in better health? Give reasons.

Yes of course, if his wife hadn't died before him, he would have been in better health. Mr. Varma suffered from an unknown disease and was constantly unwell. Following his wife's death, his body began to respond negatively. Rakesh had no idea what was causing his father's recurring sickness. Varma was excellent when his wife was still living. He appeared to be mentally content and pleased. But, once his wife died, he was left alone and suffered from sadness. He began engaging in odd behaviors. He felt shattered into bits.

c. Dr. Rakesh is both a doctor and a son. He loves his father and is concerned about his father's declining health, yet as a doctor, he is severe about his father's food and medication. What else might Rakesh have done to make his father's dying years more comfortable, in your opinion?

Dr. Rakesh could have treated him with more respect and let him do what he liked. He wouldn’t have been so strict with his diet and not shouted, “No butter”, “No more bread”, and “No oil” at him.

d. What does the story say about how grandfather and grandchildren get along?

The story "A Devoted Son" by Desai depicts the affectionate companionship of a grandfather and his grandchildren. They are close friends. However, in the story, the grandfather uses a trick involving his oily fried food and his grandchildren to get them to eat sweets like "Jalebis," which his son Rakesh forbade. In any case, the story features bonding relationships between the grandfather and his grandchildren.

e. Do you call Rakesh a committed son? Give reasons.

Yes, I do refer to Rakesh as a devoted son for the following reasons:

He lavishes his attention on his mother. He touches his father's feet on every joyous occasion. Rakesh does not bring a foreign wife to his parents' house, even though he studied there. He marries an ignorant, conventional rural lady chosen by his mother. Even though he treats his father like a doctor, he does it for the sake of his father's health and well-being. As a result, he is a great doctor, a wonderful husband and father, and a wonderful son.

REFERENCE BEYOND THE TEXT

a. Write an essay about the “Ambition of parents in Nepali society for their children”. At least five examples are required.

Parents in Nepali society typically have great expectations for their children. Parents want their children to be successful, financially stable, and well-respected citizens. This motivation stems from the traditional Nepali notion that children are the future and that their success reflects the honor and prestige of the family.

One manifestation of this is the emphasis on education. Nepali parents think that education is the key to success, and they frequently encourage their children to achieve academic achievement. They spend money on private tutoring, extracurricular activities, and even sending their children abroad to further their education.

Another example is the push to pursue specific professions. There is a great desire in Nepali society for vocations in medicine, engineering, and law. Parents frequently encourage their children to pursue these occupations since they are seen as prestigious and financially lucrative.

Marriage is also extremely important to parents. Marriage is seen as a significant life event in Nepali society, and parents desire their children to marry properly. Finding a mate with a decent family history, financial stability, and social prestige is frequently required.

Another important objective for parents in Nepali society is financial security. Parents want their children to have a solid and secure future, thus they frequently push them to seek occupations with great earning potential. This is especially true for families that have previously suffered financial difficulties.

Lastly, in Nepali society, parents frequently have high expectations for their children's moral character and behavior. Parents want their children to be responsible, respectable members of society. If parents strive to impart these ideals to their children from an early age, this might lead to tight regulations and discipline.

Finally, in Nepali society, parents' aspiration for their children is diverse and firmly established in traditional values. While it might cause children to feel pressure and stress, it is also motivated by a desire for success and well-being. It is ultimately up to each individual to negotiate these expectations and discover their route to success and fulfillment.

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

Our bodies change as we age, which can lead to health problems that commonly require medicine to address. There are, however, actions we may do to lessen our need for medication in old age. Consuming a good and balanced diet, remaining physically active, and keeping our minds stimulated can all assist to prevent age-related health issues. Frequent check-ups with healthcare experts can also aid in the detection and prevention of health problems before they worsen. However, looking into alternative therapies like acupuncture, massage therapy, or herbal medicines might help with some age-related illnesses. We may reduce our dependency on medication in old life by being proactive about our health.

c. Write a 300-word essay about "Care of Elderly Citizens."

The elderly constitute a very significant section of the population. They are vulnerable and need special care and attention. In most societies, care for the elderly is considered a shared responsibility of the family, the community, and the state. However, the responsibility of caring for the elderly often rests with the family, primarily the children or close relatives of the elderly. In this essay, we will discuss the different aspects involved in the care of elderly citizens and the different options available for their care.

To begin with, the government can provide institutional support for the elderly. Governments can use legislation such as the elderly rights act, provide pensions or social security payments, and increase funding for elder homecare services. State-funded programs can help the elderly with expenses such as medication and housing. Governments should also ensure that there are adequate nursing homes and assisted-living facilities to accommodate the elderly when needed.

On the other hand, family members are responsible for providing basic care for the elderly. They should ensure that the elderly have access to their basic needs, such as food, shelter, and clothing. They should also ensure that the elderly are protected from any form of abuse or neglect. They should provide the elderly with emotional support and companionship, especially following significant life events such as the loss of a spouse or a close friend. Lastly, they should plan for the well-being of the elderly by ensuring that a support system, such as assisted living or nursing, is in place when needed.

In conclusion, the care of elderly citizens is a shared responsibility that requires a multi-sectoral approach. Healthcare professionals, families, communities, and the state all play significant roles in the well-being of the elderly. By providing a supportive community and maintaining a strong support system for the elderly, we can help enrich the lives of the elderly citizens in our society.