CHAPTER 01 -TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

Question 2:
Based on your discussion above, what do you think the
story is about?
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Answer :
The story could be about whether the protagonists are
truly gentlemanly or not, based on the qualities listed
above.
PAGE 08
Q uestion 4-(1):
The driver did not approve of the narrator buying fruit
from the two boys because
(a) the boys were untidy and poorly dressed
(b) the strawberries were not fresh
(c) they were asking for a heavy price
(d) the driver did not approve of small boys who
worked
Answer :
(a) the boys were untidy and poorly dressed
Question 4-(2):
The narrator was most impressed by the boys'
(a) desire to earn money
(b) willingness to work
(c) ability to perform many tasks
(d) sense of fun
Answer :
(b) willingness to work
Question 4-(3):
Nicola was not pleased when Jacopo asked the narrator
to drive them to Poleta as he
(a) did not want a stranger to become involved with
their plans
(b) preferred going to Poleta by train so that he could
enjoy the scenery
(c) did not want to ask anyone for favours
(d) did not want to take help from someone he did not
know well
Answer :
(a) did not want a stranger to become involved with
their plans
Question 4-(4):
The narrator did not go inside Lucia's room as
(a) he did not want to intrude into their privacy
(b) he thought that the boys would object
(c) Lucia would not welcome a stranger
(d) the boys would feel he was spying on them
Answer :
(a) he did not want to intrude into their privacy
Question 4-(5):
The boys were the first to join the resistance movement
against the Germans because
(a) the Germans had hurt their sister
(b) the Germans ruled the city
(c) the Germans had ruined their family
(d) the Germans had destroyed their home
Answer :
(c) the Germans had ruined their family
Question 4-(6):
The author did not speak to the boys on their return
journey because
(a) he thought the boys would prefer to keep their
secret
(b) he thought the boys were ashamed of their sister's
condition
(c) he thought they wouldn't tell him the truth
(d) he thought the boys might ask him for money for
their sister
Answer :
(a) he thought the boys would prefer to keep their
secret
PAGE 09
Question 5-(a):
"We do many things, sir," Nicola answered seriously. He
glanced at us hopefully.
Answer :
The narrator was surprised to see the boys shining
shoes because he thought that they sold fruits for a
living. However, when he questioned the boys regarding
this, Nicola said that they also did a lot of other things
for a living. The boys hoped that the narrator would ask
for their services and in return would earn some good
money.
Question 5-(b):
He coloured deeply under his sunburn, then grew pale
Answer :
The narrator was astonished to see that boys worked
hard day and night and yet lived meagerly. He wanted
to know what the boys did with the money they earned.
When he questioned Nicola, he appeared
uncomfortable. Perhaps the boys were not used to
anybody questioning them regarding their earnings, and
the narrator’s question embarrassed them.
Question 5-(c):
He smiled uncomfortably. "Just plans, sir," he answered
in a low voice.
Answer :
When the narrator suggested that the boys were saving
to emigrate to the States.
Nicola responded that how much ever they wished to
do that, currently they had other plans, which he was
unwilling to and uncomfortable sharing with the
narrator.
Question 5-(d):
Yet in both these boyish faces there was a seriousness
which was far beyond their years.
Answer :
Although the boys were small and innocent, there was a
maturity in their demeanour, which was unbelievable at
their age.
Question 6-(a):
Why didn't Luigi, the driver, approve of the two boys?
Answer :
Luigi judged the two boys by their appearance. He did
not approve of the two boys because they were
shabbily dressed and he thought that they might sell
bad fruit
Question 6-(b):
Why were the narrator and his companion impressed by
the two boys?
Answer :
The narrator and his companion were surprised that
the boys were doing so many things at such a young
age. Under the hot sun they sold fruits, newspapers, ran
errands and were tourist guides as well. They did any
odd job that they were asked to do. Their willingness to
do any kind of work impressed the narrator and his
companion.
Question 6-(c):
Why was the author surprised to see Nicola and Jacopo
working as shoeshine boys?
Answer :
The narrator was surprised to see Nicola and Jacopo
shining shoes because he thought that selling fruits was
their only occupancy.
Question 6-(d):
How were the boys useful to the author?
Answer :
The boys did everything the narrator and his
companion asked them to do: they showed them
around the city, bought tickets for the opera for them,
told them about good restaurants and ran all their
errands.
Question 6-(e):
Why were the boys in the deserted square at night?
What character traits do they exhibit?
Answer :
The boys were waiting for the last bus from Pauda so
that they could sell all their papers. This explains the
fact that the two boys were very hardworking and
dedicate
Question 6-(f):
The narrator asks the boys, "Must you work so hard?
You both look rather tired."
The boys reply, "We are not complaining, sir." What do
you learn about the boys from their reply?
Answer :
The boys were very focused and committed. Their only
motive was to pay for their sister’s treatment. They did
not care for their comfort but tirelessly worked hard to
earn money.
Question 6-(g):
When the narrator asks the boys about their plans, they
are evasive. Why don't they disclose their problems?
Answer :
The two boys did not want the narrator to know of
their problems because they were strong and
courageous kids in the face of adversity who did not
want a stranger to sympathise with them. They were
confident kids who would rather work hard and earn in
order to find solutions of the same on their own
Question 7-(a):
Appearances are deceptive. Discuss with reference to
the two boys.
Answer :
The narrative began with description of the shabby
appearance of the two boys—Nicola and Jacopo. In
spite of their appearance, the narrator bought fruit
from them. In the following days, the narrator
discovered that the boys did a lot of other things apart
from selling fruit: they sold newspapers, they were
shoeshine boys, tourist guides and ran errands. All this
made the narrator think that the boys were working so
hard to save money to emigrate to America. However, it
is revealed during the course of the story that their only
motive was to be able to pay for their sister’s treatment.
War had destroyed most of their family and yet it had
not filled them with despair. The boys were working day
and night to save whatever was left. Behind their
shabby appearances were hidden two noble souls
whose dedication and selflessness promises a new hope
for mankind.
Question 7-(b):
Do you think the boys looked after Lucia willingly? Give
reasons for your answer.
Answer :
The boys loved their sister. She was the only family left
after the war was over. When they realized that their
sister had tuberculosis of the spine, they got her
admitted to a hospital. They worked hard day and night
to pay for her treatment. They visited their sister every
Sunday in the hospital. They could have emigrated to
the states but they chose to stay back and look after
their sister. They didn’t want to lose her.
PAGE 10
Question 9:
Two Gentlemen of Verona is written in the first person.
A story written in the first person is a first-hand
account of events told or narrated through the eyes of
a single character, typically the main character. Stories
written in the first person are easily identified by the
use of the pronoun 'I' rather than 'he or she'.
The reader will see phrases such as "I said, I thought,"
rather than "he said, she thought." Everything is
experienced through the eyes of a single character, and
all thoughts and observations are limited to that one
person. There can be no outside observer. If the
narrator does not see or experience an event first-hand,
it cannot be a part of the story. All scenes in the story
are filtered through this person's unique perception.
The third-person is a narrative mode in which both the
reader and author observe the situation either through
the senses and thoughts of more than one character, or
through an overarching godlike perspective that sees
and knows everything that happens and everything the
characters are thinking. In this mode of narration, the
narrator can tell the reader things that the main
character does not know, or things that none of the
characters know.
Answer :
Note: This question is to be answered on the basis of
your own understanding, experience and thoughts. It is
strongly recommended that you prepare the solution
on your own. However, one sample solution has been
provided for your reference.
The driver waited outside until the boys rejoined him,
and then drove them back to the city. They sat beside
him, not speaking. The driver did not say a word. He
thought the boys would prefer to feel that they had
safely kept their secret. Yet their devotion had touched
him deeply. War had not broken their spirit. Their
selfless action brought a new nobility to human life,
gave promise of a greater hope for human society.
PAGE 11
Question 10-(a:
The love and devotion, and the family values Nicola and
Jacopo display.
Answer :
Note: This question is to be answered on the basis of
your own understanding, experience and thoughts. It is
strongly recommended that you prepare the solution
on your own. However, some pointers for discussion
have been provided for your reference.
Their lives before the war;
Small family: father, two brothers and a sister
How war devastated their lives.
In spite of contrary circumstances, how they are driven
to get back to their family.
Question 10-(b:
Their pride in themselves and their family
Answer :
Note: This question is to be answered on the basis of
your own understanding, experience and thoughts. It is
strongly recommended that you prepare the solution
on your own. However, some pointers for discussion
have been provided for your reference.
The boys never complain of their circumstances and the
hardships they face.
They don’t want to reveal as why they are working day
and night.
They don’t disclose their reason for going to Poleta.
Question 10-(c:
The trust they place in the narrator
Answer :
Note: This question is to be answered on the basis of
your own understanding, experience and thoughts. It is
strongly recommended that you prepare the solution
on your own. However, some pointers for discussion
have been provided for your reference.
How the boys are useful to the narrator and his
companion.
Jacopo requests the narrator to send them to Poleta in
their car which they might not have asked anybody.
After initial disagreement between the brothers and
reassurance from the narrator they agree to go with
him.
They are very comfortable and trust him completely.
Question 10-(d:
The reason the narrator does not disclose to them that
he knows their secret.
Answer :
Note: This question is to be answered on the basis of
your own understanding, experience and thoughts. It is
strongly recommended that you prepare the solution
on your own. However, some pointers for discussion
have been provided for your reference.
Nicola initially is not comfortable with the narrator
driving them to Poleta.
After some thinking they agree.
The moment they reach their destination they jump out
of the car and do not ask the narrator to come with
them. On the other hand, they suggest him to spend
time at a café in the village.
The narrator understands their reluctance to share their
purpose of visit with him and, therefore, does not
disclose to them that he knows their secret.
Question 11:
As the narrator, write an article on the lesson of love,
faith and trust that you have learnt from the two young
boys of Verona.
Answer :
Note: This question is to be answered on the basis of
your own understanding, experience and thoughts. It is
strongly recommended that you prepare the solution
on your own. However, some pointers have been
provided for your reference.
The narrator’s initial impression of the two boys.
Their willingness to do any kind of job.
Their behaviour and innocence.
The maturity they display.
Their usefulness to the narrator
The reason behind their hard work
War had not destroyed their spirit but filled them with a
new energy
They set to build what was left after the war
Love for their sister.
Their regular weekly visits to meet their sister.
Their making sure that they regularly pay for her
treatment.
Their dedication, sacrifice, selflessness.
Question 12:
After her brothers' visit, Lucia writes a page in her diary
about her past life and her present situation. As Lucia
write the diary entry in about 150 words.
Answer :
Note: This question is to be answered on the basis of
your own understanding, experience and thoughts. It is
strongly recommended that you prepare the solution
on your own. However, some pointers have been
provided for your reference.
The war had destroyed my home.
We almost died of starvation and extreme cold.
My brothers hated the Germans. They joined the
resistance movement.
After the war was over, they came back to me but
unfortunately I was afflicted with tuberculosis of spine.
They admitted me in a hospital.
They come here to meet me every week
I look forward to their visit.
They are working very hard to pay for my treatment.
Today they came in a car unlike other times when they
cycle 30 kms just to meet me.
They told me about this gentleman who especially drove
them here.
They had shown him Verona. They ran small errands for
him.
I pray I feel better and be able to walk and sing again.
I am grateful for such lovely brothers