31 pages • 1 hour read
Anita DesaiA Devoted Son
Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1978A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Symbols & Motifs
Food
Food is an important symbol throughout the story because it reflects wealth. With their house bordering a garbage dump and Varma working as a kerosene dealer, the story implies the main characters don’t have much money before Rakesh becomes successful. When Rakesh earns the top academic scores in the country and becomes a doctor, Varma uses food to show others how successful he has become.
Having sweets also speaks to the success that Varma has found through his devoted and intelligent son. Being able to indulge is a luxury and one that would only come with having money to buy sweet foods. Varma becomes upset when he’s denied these treats because it feels like he’s having a luxury taken from him.
The removal of sweets from Varma’s diet coincides with the neighbors no longer being impressed with Rakesh. This doesn’t mean that he is no longer successful, but the removal of the sweets and the attention makes Varma feel that he’s been abandoned and forgotten. Without the food that allows him to feel rich and important, he becomes grumpy and petulant.
Parties
Much like food, being able to throw a party shows the success of Varma and his family. The first party in the story is right after Rakesh receives the highest grades in the country, and Varma wants to show that off to the neighbors. The party is a chance for him to be the center of attention.
The next party occurs when they are celebrating Varma’s grandson’s birthday. This one does not have the same feel to it as the first, as Varma is not the center of attention—but that does not stop Varma from getting the attention he craves. During the party, he lays flat on his back and makes his family members think he has died. Preparing to mourn his loss, the guests depart. Once that occurs, Varma springs up and lets everyone know that he isn’t dead; he just wanted attention.
After that, there are no more parties in the house. They are meant to symbolize the celebration of momentous occasions, but they are only allowed to occur if Varma gets to be the center of attention.
Lying Prostrate
Lying prostrate often symbolizes respect for and worship of a higher power. People prostrate themselves before a ruler or religious leader to let them know they are obedient followers. Rakesh likely lies prostrate while touching his father’s feet (although this isn’t explicitly stated), as this would symbolize Rakesh’s respect and admiration for who his father is and what he has done.
However, lying prostrate in this story also comes to symbolize protest. Varma lies prostrate to show his displeasure with how he’s being treated and to get attention. This is most often seen when he’s playing dead, or at the end of the story when he wishes he was dead. He hates that he has pillows propping him up, so when he gets the chance, he pushes them onto the floor and lays flat on his back.
Lying prostrate shows both respect and defiance. It’s only when Varma doesn’t get his way that he uses this act to get noticed by others—but he often isn’t successful.
Related Titles
By Anita Desai
