Analysis Of Devoted Son By Anita Desai

A Devoted Son

The short story ‘A Devoted Son’ by Anita Desai focuses on a father-son relationship in a traditional Indian family within a small, poverty-stricken village.With his parents sacrifices, Rakesh is able to pursue, and excel in his medical studies. The story follows Rakesh’s transition into the head of the household as his father, Varma , slips into illness. Gender roles and the power allocated to each role is a large part of Indian society, and illustrated by Desai, the male 's role within a family can lead to conflicts and power struggles.Using a sociocultural approach, Desai demonstrates the clashing of male status within a traditional Indian family through Rakesh’s character being that of an ideal son , Rakesh’s increase in maturity

Above all, Rakesh is a very devoted and respectful son. Respect and courtesy is a fundamental component to transitional Indian culture and having such characteristic is rare in young children. The other parents “ shook their heads in wonder... as one does not often see such behavior in sons anymore”(Desai, 76). The state of astonishment felt by the parents is evident with their description of being “in wonder”. Such devotion was uncommon in Rakesh’s age in his village and further solidifies his image of an ideal son. This habit followed Rakesh through his years as evident when he arrives home “the first thing he did on entering the house was to ... Bow and touch his father 's feet”(Desai,77). This form of respect is only to his father and no other member of the family and this is because “The eldest male acts as family head” (Jacobson) within the Indian family.The family hierarchy is led by Varma as he is the head male and respect must be shown to that title.However, it is rare

Near the beginning of the story, Rakesh’s status within the community instantly climbs with the word of his astonishing academic accomplishment. It is clear that Rakesh was set above all other kids in the village with the statement of “ no one could fathom , but all acknowledged his talent and skill”(Desai,78). The level at which Rakesh performed was unfathomable and he was ultimately placed above everyone else because of his unbelievable skill set. Varma being an uneducated man is only able to do a certain level of work which earned him unfavourable low class image within the village. However, Rakesh excels in his studies which leads him to a greater opportunity to increase his social standings and widens the gap between the rankings of Varma and Rakesh. In a Indian society “ Individuals and caste groups can hope to rise slowly on the hierarchy through economic success”(2), which is exactly how Rakesh gains his status.The society of the village Rakesh grew up was very economically oriented and there was a direct correlation between status and wealth. Seeing how the village was in a poor economic standing, any gain in wealth would increase social status. With his completion of his studies Rakesh “ worked in the city hospital, quickly rising to the top of the administrative organization... Before he left to set up his own clinic”