Fasting, Feasting

by

Anita Desai

Mr. Patton Character Analysis

Mr. Patton is the husband of Mrs. Patton, and the father of Melanie and Rod. Working full-time in an office, Mr. Patton leaves housekeeping and cooking to his wife, with the exception of the barbecue. Athletic, macho and nationalistic, Mr. Patton doesn't understand why his wife and Arun don't want to eat meat. Mr. Patton places great value on work, and gets frequently frustrated by his family for not being more in-line and productive. Showing little interest in his wife and daughter, Mr. Patton only interacts with his son Rod.

Mr. Patton Quotes in Fasting, Feasting

The Fasting, Feasting quotes below are all either spoken by Mr. Patton or refer to Mr. Patton. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Gender and Social Roles Theme Icon
).
Chapter 19 Quotes

When she finally brought herself to tell him that Arun was a vegetarian and she herself had decided to give it a try (…) he reacted by not reacting, as if he had simply not heard, or understood. That, too was something Arun knew and had experience of (…)—his father’s very expression, walking off, denying any opposition, any challenge to his authority…

Related Characters: Arun, Papa, Mrs. Patton, Mr. Patton
Page Number: 186
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 22 Quotes

We don’t sit down to meals like we used to. Everyone eats at different times and wants different meals. We just don’t get to eating together much now that they’re grown. So I just fill the freezer and let them take down what they like, when they like. Keeping the freezer full—that’s my job, Ahroon.

Related Characters: Mrs. Patton (speaker), Arun, Mr. Patton, Melanie, Rod
Page Number: 197
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 23 Quotes

Mr. Patton ignores her. He is getting a can of beer out of the refrigerator. Opening it with a shark jerk of his thumb, he demands, ‘Where are the kids? Are they going to be in for dinner tonight? What have they been doing all day? Are they doing any work around here?’

Related Characters: Mrs. Patton, Mr. Patton, Melanie, Rod
Page Number: 203
Explanation and Analysis:
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