A Devoted Son by Anita Desai

In “A Devoted Son” by Anita Desai, the story centers on Rakesh and his relationship with his father, Varma. Rakesh, a brilliant student, achieves great academic success, ultimately becoming a doctor and securing a position in America. His accomplishments bring pride to his family and community, especially to his father, who sees his son as the embodiment of their dreams.

Despite his success abroad, Rakesh remains deeply committed to his family. He returns to India, practices medicine locally, and marries a woman his parents approve of, fulfilling his traditional responsibilities as a son. As Varma ages, Rakesh takes on the role of caregiver, rigorously managing his father’s health, including restricting his diet. Over time, Varma begins to feel suffocated and controlled by Rakesh’s relentless care, leading to feelings of frustration and resentment.

Desai’s story delves into themes of family duty, cultural expectations, and the generational divide. It portrays how love, especially when tied to obligation, can strain relationships, showing the delicate balance between respect and independence within family life.

The central theme of The Devoted Son is the duty and devotion a child owes to his parents. Rakesh is a model of filial piety, returning from America to care for his aging parents despite his professional success. His sense of duty leads him to impose strict health measures on his father, Varma, which highlights the tension between love and control. The story explores the conflict between the ideal of devotion and the personal desires of individuals, as Varma resents Rakesh’s overbearing care. Ultimately, the story suggests that devotion can become oppressive if it fails to respect the emotional and physical needs of the cared-for individual.

Portrayal  of the Theme of Aging 

Aging is a central theme in The Devoted Son, depicted through Varma’s declining health and his struggle to maintain his dignity. Varma experiences a loss of control over his life as he becomes more dependent on Rakesh for his physical care. Rakesh’s well-intentioned but controlling behavior exacerbates Varma’s sense of helplessness. The story portrays aging as not only a physical decline but also an emotional and psychological battle for autonomy and respect. Varma’s desire to eat what he wants, despite the health risks, is symbolic of his attempt to assert control over his life in the face of old age.

The story delves into the complex nature of gratitude, particularly in familial relationships. While Rakesh’s actions toward his father are rooted in a sense of duty, he expects gratitude in return for his care. However, Varma’s feelings are far more complicated. As Rakesh becomes more controlling, Varma feels suffocated rather than grateful. Mahasweta Devi suggests that gratitude cannot be forced or expected, especially when the recipient of care feels their autonomy is being compromised. The story raises important questions about whether devotion, when rigid and overbearing, can truly be considered an act of love deserving of gratitude.

In "A Devoted Son," Rakesh begins by respectfully touching his father Varma's feet, a traditional gesture symbolizing his reverence and adherence to cultural values. This act of devotion reflects Rakesh's deep-seated respect for his father, with the narrator describing him as "the most obedient and helpful of sons, the kindest of sons, the best of sons, the most dutiful of sons" (Desai). This aligns with traditional expectations, where children honor and obey their parents, especially the father figure.

As the story unfolds, however, the meaning behind Rakesh's actions shifts. When Varma falls ill, Rakesh takes charge of his father’s health, closely monitoring his diet and behavior with an intense, almost obsessive, focus. His initial respect evolves into a controlling and authoritarian approach, with the narrator noting, “He observed his father as if he were a grim astringent doctor examining a patient critically” (Desai). Rakesh’s actions now seem less about respect and more about asserting control over his father’s well-being.

Toward the end of the story, the act of touching Varma’s feet takes on yet another layer of meaning. In a climactic moment as Varma lies on his deathbed, Rakesh touches his father’s feet one last time, but now with resentment and frustration rather than reverence. The narrator describes him as “frowning and scowling” as he touches his father's feet, even knocking them irritably with his knuckle (Desai).

This final gesture encapsulates the transformation in Rakesh’s relationship with his father. What once symbolized filial piety now reveals Rakesh’s inner turmoil and growing resentment. This evolution highlights the tension between duty and autonomy, as Rakesh struggles to uphold traditional values while contending with his own personal desires.

In summary, the act of touching Varma’s feet is a powerful symbol in "A Devoted Son." Initially, it represents Rakesh’s respect and adherence to tradition, but it eventually mirrors his internal conflict and the clash between tradition and individual aspirations. Through this evolving gesture, Desai reveals the complex dynamics of family and the impact of cultural expectations on personal identity.