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 mothers 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
parents 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 fathers 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 Rakeshs 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 grandchilds 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