A Devoted Son: Anita Desai.
This Short Story is about the relationship between father and son and examines how time and perspective can change the intentions.
Varma is the centre of the family and is proud of his son, Rakesh. Rakesh is at the top of the academic list, and his intelligence and ambitions take him to the US where he receives a medical education. Rakesh has a strong emotional attachment to his traditions, so he allows his mother to arrange his marriage. He returns from the US, moves back to his village, and works hard at the hospital. His hard work improves the lives of those around him. Now Mr.Verma is no longer the center of attention in the house, so he does things to get people to notice him.
Question 1: Answer the following questions in 3-4 sentences.
1.“ This is how great doctors treat their fathers”. What did Mr. Verma mean by this comment?
Ans: By saying this Mr. Verma wanted to show his disappointment in his son Rakesh’s
ungrateful attitude towards him. He says this because he is responsible for his son’s
great success.
2. Give an example from the story to support the fact that a few of the guest sat Varmaji’s
house were jealous of his happiness.
Ans: While leaving the house, some guests were more envious and resentful and said: Don’t
you think old Verma was giving himself airs? He needn’t think we don’t remember that he
comes from the vegetable market himself, his father used to sell vegetables, and he has
never seen the inside of the school.”
Question 1: Answer the following questions in 3-4 sentences.
3. Mr. Verma’s perception of his son’s greatness and love changed as he grew old. Comment.
Ans: Mr. Verma’s perception of his son’s greatness and love changed as he grew old. In the
beginning, Mr. Verma was proud of his son’s achievement. However, later his son
focused on his medical career and neglected his father. Mr. Verma thought that his son’s
son’s sterling personality and character had undergone a curious change.
4. How did Mr. Verma handle life after his wife’s death and his retirement?
Ans:
Write short notes to answer the following questions:
1. How did Mr. Verma try and use his grandchildren for getting sweets?
Ans: Mr.Verma tried to bribe his grandchildren into buying him jalebis.
2. Why were a few female guests seen wiping their tears at Rakesh’s high school celebratory function?
Ans: At the celebratory function, Mr. Verma talked about his son to the guests when he saw the result in the morning, He came and touched my feet, he bowed down and touched my feet”.This made a few female guests raise the end of their saris and dab their tears.
.
3. Discuss the irony in the title of the story ‘A Devoted Son’.
Ans: The irony in the title of the story ‘ A Devoted Son' is the contrast between expectation and
reality.
Comprehension:
Q.4: Answer the following questions bychoosing the correct option:
1.Which of the following novels byAnita Desai was not shortlisted for the Booker Prize?
a) Clear Light of Day b) In Custody c) Fasting Feasting d) Fire on the Mountain.
Answer: b) In Custody.
2. Rakesh’s father used to work at the :
a) Kerosene dealer’s depot b) Bus depot c) Petrol Pump d) Ration depot.
Answer: a) Kerosene dealer’s depot.
3. Rakesh’s father loved his tea in his favorite:
a) China cup b) Brass Tumbler c) Glass Tumbler d) Steel Glass.
Answer: b) Brass Tumbler.
4. Which was the first item to be crossed of the Old man’s diet:
a) Halwa b) Kheer c) Fried Fish d) Chicken tikka.
Answer: a) Halwa.
5. How much money did Rakesh’s fathergive his grandchildren to buy his sweets including 20
paise as their bribe.
a)50 paise b) 60 paise c) 70 paise d) 80 paise.
Answer: a) 50 paise.
6. Which sweets did the grandchildrenused to buy for the old man?
a)Rabdi b) Jalebi c) Kheer d ) Halwa.
Answer: b) Jalebi.
7. Who was Mr. Verma’s old friend livingnext door?
a)Mr. Sharma b) Mr.Verma c) Mr. Prajapathi d) Mr. Bhatia.
Answer: d) Mr. Bhatia.
8. What was the color of Rakesh’sAmbassador car?
a)White b) Black c) Sky Blue d) Brown.
Answer: c) Sky Blue.
9. Rakesh weighed out the atta for his father, what amount did he decide was the maximum cereal he could give his father?
a) 100 gm b) 200 gm c) 250 gm d) 150 gm.
Answer: b) 200 gm.