After doing a general paper question on materialism then a realize that Desai's story have signs of materialism too. For example Private Tuition with Mr Bose, the students find that languages are not necessities in life, and they are somewhat seducing Mr Bose with their luxuries they possess. In Pineapple Cake, Victor's mum used him to showcase her wealth rather to adore him as a son, and to get an extra portion of the cake in the end of the story. In Farewell Party, we could see that their sociallizing are very artificial and insincere. In Devoted Son, the filial and obedient son turned into a tyrant controlling every part of Varma's life, obviously neglecting and replacing the tradition ways of the family with modernization and 'certificates'.