A Devoted Son Summary and Short Question Answer

Summary

A Devoted Son is a realistic narrative set in an Indian town about a middle-class Indian family. The tale demonstrates how parents value their children's ambition and how a son should honor his parents' wishes. Rakesh, a loyal son, is mentioned in the story title, and the storyline focuses on him. He is from a rural Indian village. Varma's father used to be a salesperson for vegetable. So, he did not get any education. So, he has high ambitions towards his son Rakesh.

The narrative begins with the good news that he passed his medical test, followed by a family gathering with the neighbors. He leaves when he is offered the opportunity to continue his education in the United States. Mr. Varma is proud of his son since he did well in the exam. Although some people say that he will forget about his past and become egoistic.

Despite being offered a job at one of America's most prominent hospitals, Rakesh declines because he wants to help his parents and his nation. Rakesh enjoys his time in America, but his family comes first. He still longs to return to his homeland. When he gets enough experience and money, he returns to his hometown and starts a clinic shop. His parents were dissatisfied with him. They are perplexed by his wish to return home and discard what he has accomplished.

Rakesh returns from the United States and marries a low-educated woman from the rural South. There is fairly strong evidence of a familial feud. Unfortunately, his mother passes away, and as a consequence, his father suffers from severe depression.

Rakesh is unable to dedicate enough time to his father now that he has his own family. Soon later, his father becomes very ill. He tells his wife Veena to provide him with medicine and food at the proper times in order to care for his ill father. Despite Rakesh's restriction, his father tries to bribe Rakesh's kid with sweets. Rakesh is worried about his son's untrustworthiness. His father bemoans his inability to eat enough and eat according to his desires. Their relationship deteriorates, but he develops a stronger bond with his father. At last, we are shown the Mr. Varma who is extremely worried by his son’s behaviour for not letting him eat what he wants and begs to die rather than eating the tonics and medicines that his son brings for him.

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Short Question Answer

1. How did the morning papers bring an ambiance of celebration in the Varma family?

- The morning paper brings an ambiance of celebration to the Varma family because their son, Rakesh was announced as the country's best student in the medical test in the newspaper.



2. How did the community celebrate Rakesh’s success?

- The community people gathered at Rakesh's house to congratulate him and his family. They were happy and proud of Rakesh's achievements. They also decorated the home and gave him presents. They appreciated Rakesh by blessing and gifting him. The Varma family fed them with delicious dishes and mithais. They made it like a carnival with music and lights.



3. Why was Rakesh’s success a special matter of discussion in the neighbourhood?

- Rakesh’s success was a special matter of discussion in the neighbourhood because he was the first son in the Varma family to graduate from college with the nation's highest GPA.



4. How does the author make fun with the words ‘America’ and ‘the USA’?

- The author makes fun of the way people think about America and The USA. The USA Seems like a more weighty and prestigious word to Verma. That's why, he suggested to the family member as well, to call it "The USA" rather than 'America'. According to him, America is just a common nation like Nepal, India. But the USA is such a dream nation of students where students develop their career. Verma feels, calling it 'The USA' feels more sophisticated, disciplined, academic and career building nation rather than America.



5. How does the author characterize Rakesh’s wife?

- The author characterizes Rakesh’s wife "Veena" as an old-fashioned rural girl who is silent and uneducated. She does her best to satisfy people via her home chores.



6. Describe how Rakesh rises in his career.

- Rakesh had the highest marks in college and went on to study in the US. After impressing his American colleagues, he was offered a position in the world's most prestigious hospital. But, to serve his nation and his family, he departed the United States forever. His time at the municipal hospital lasted many years. He was promoted to director of the city's hospital after a long career. He went on to create his own medical clinic. He's now not just the best doctor in town, but also the richest. Thus , Rakesh rises in his career.



7. How does the author describe Rakesh’s family background?

- Rakesh was from a family whose great-grandparents used to be vegetable sellers. He was from a low-income, uneducated family. His family lives in a small yellow house at the roadside. Her mother has spent her whole life as a stay-at-home mom doing housework. For the last four decades, his father has worked tirelessly at the kerosene warehouse in his hometown. It is clear from the author's description of Rakesh's upbringing that his family lives in abject poverty.



8. What is the impact of Rakesh’s mother’s death on his father?

- The loss of Rakesh's mother has had a devastating effect on his father. He was stricken by loneliness and there was actually nobody to love him the way Mrs. Varma had taken care of him. His father was in a bad mood, and as a result, his body began to respond adversely.



9. What did Rakesh do to make his father’s old age more comfortable?

-For making father’s old age more comfortable, he did the following actions,
- Rakesh sat by his father's bedside with a newspaper and read to make him feel more at peace, bringing his favorite brass cup of morning tea.
-In order to ensure his father's continued good health, he created a comfortable sitting area for him on the open verandah.
- He restricted him from eating greasy foods since they weren't good for him, provided high-quality and effective tonics and medications, acted modestly and respectfully every time, and made his best efforts to offer him a longer life.



10. Why did the old man try to bribe his grandchildren?

- The old man bribed his grandchildrens to buy sweets for him because he was forbidden from eating sweets.



11. Are Mr. Varma’s complaints about his diets reasonable? How?

- Mr. Varma’s complaints about his diets are reasonable. Rakesh stopped Verma from eating his favorite foods since they made him sick. He also felt a feeling of obligation as a doctor and wished his father a long life. As a result, Mr. Varma's diet concerns are justified.