By: Anita Desai

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A Devoted Son

• By Anita Desai
• Group Monique Emmanuel, Ian

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Summary
A devoted son is about a boy named Rakesh who was
able to go to basic school and medical college.
The rest of his family didnt have a chance to go
to school. His father work in a vegetable garden
ad never even seen the inside of a classroom. He
returned home and they had a big party in his
honor. He then went back to America and study
more of his doctoring skills. He married the girl
his parents picked for him. This is an Indian
tradition to marry the woman your parents pick.
He then returned home when his mother died and
his father become sick. He took care of his
father by giving him vitamins even though his
father said he wanted to die. His father
eventually killed himself with a pillow.
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Focus
In your opinion, what obligations might a parent
reasonably expect from a child? What expectations
would you consider excessive? Express your
thoughts in a short paragraph.
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TSW
Identify irony in A Devoted Son By Anita Desai
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Rakesh was a static character
Acts
Says
Rakesh
Devoted, caring
Smart, Determine
No more halwa for you papa, we must be sensible
at your age. If you must have something sweet,
veena will cook you a little kheer thats light
just a little rice and milk. But nothing fried,
nothing rich. We cant have this happening again
(Desai 1342)-This is him taking care of his
father because he is now sick.
Quote He went to the U.S.A where he pursed his
career in most prestigious of all hospitals and
won encomiums from his American colleagues which
were relayed to his admiring and glowing
family.(Desai 1342)
Thinks
He thinks knows what's best for his father
And then he says he does not want to live like
this.(Desai 1348)-Rakesh and his family are
trying to take care of his father but his father
just wants to die.
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Questions

• Why do you think Rakesh really went to school?
• Why must Rakesh marry the woman his parents
  picked?
• Why is Rakesh a static person?