A Devoted Son

by Anita Desai

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A Devoted Son Questions and Answers

Write a character sketch of Rakesh concerning his overall personality and the cause of his change of behavior toward his father toward the end of "A Devoted Son."

Did Rakesh prove to be a devoted son untill the very last days of his father's life? Discuss.

What kind of relationship did Rakesh's wife share with her father-in-law in "A Devoted Son"?

Does Rakesh remain devoted until the end of A Devoted Sun?

Why did all the neighbors come to visit Rakesh's family?

Rakesh's father's opinion of him changes over time. What do you think are the reasons for this? Do you think he is justified to criticize his son? Why or why not?

What is a character sketch of Varma from the story "A Devoted Son"?

Is Rakesh really a devoted son?

What was Veena's reaction to Rakesh's instructions about the old man's diet in "A Devoted Son"?  

In "A Devoted Son" by Desai, why does Mr. Varma wants to die?

As "A Devoted Son" begins, what makes Varma proud of his son?

What do Varma and Bhatia seem to have in common in A Devoted Son?

Was Rakesh a hypocrite in real life?

Identify conflicts in "A Devoted Son."

Do you think Rakesh would have remained on good terms with his father if he had never left India?

What is the first thing Rakesh does when he sees his excellent exam results?  

Is Rakesh a devoted son throughout? Support your answer by giving example from text.

What two incidents in "A Devoted Son" reflect the sense of bonhomie seen among the villagers?

In "A Devoted Son", what is devotion?  Are you devoted when you succumb to the irrational demands of the person or when you go against his wishes but for his benefit? What is ethically and morally and socially more correct? To devotedly follow instructions or to devotedly use the mind to choose the best? 

What happens in Anita Desai's short story "A Devoted Son"?

What do you think of the ending in "A Devoted Son" by Anita Desai?

Why was Rakesh's family happy about their son's return from the U.S.?

What does Mr. Varma mean by "This is how great doctors treat their fathers" in "A Devoted Son"?

What is the aim of Desai's story "A Devoted Son"?

Why does Varma not like taking medicine in "A Devoted Son" by Anita Desai?

Why are the themes that emerge out of Desai's "A Devoted Son" representative of important thoughts about life? 

Why did he mock the behavior of the family?

"It was the achievement of a lifetime and it took up Rakesh's whole life. "Justify the truth of the statement with reference to A Devoted Son.

Identify a quote from the story that has to do with the theme of "A Devoted Son."

For whom does Rakesh get tea every morning in "A Devoted Son"?

Identify provoking questions from "A Devoted Son" by Anita Desai that can explore the theme through class discussion.