Abstract

The research paper addresses the conflict between the old father and the dutiful, loving, caring, responsible son through the critical analysis of Anita Desai’s A Devoted Son. It analyses the psychological unrest in old age. It throws light on old age where resistance is not heard, mental and emotional crises are ignored, the existence is shadowed and an agony remains unnoticed. The paper presents the two generations’ gap between father and son in choices, expectations, understanding and thinking. After the death of wife, the signs of loneliness, depression, and decline of health started growing in the old father. The paper addresses how Anita Desai has presented the old age problems. The professional and authoritative care creates the gap between son and father relationship. The retirement from forty years service and the death of wife made the old father lonely. The son’s inability to understand the inner desire of the old father leads to disinterest in life and the urge to die. It extracts the old age problems described in the story- loneliness, controlled life, inability to understand psychological unrest, social disconnect, loss of presence, identity and authority, lack of empathy etc. It describes strategies to address these problems- value the old parents’ freedom and dignity, develop social and family engagement, and understand inner desires carefully.