Two Gentlemen of Verona
Reference to context.
1. As we made the rounds, my interest was again provoked by their remarkable demeanour.
a. What does the phrase ‘As we made the rounds’ mean?
They were roaming in the city as tourists.
b. What did the narrator find remarkable in their demeanour?
He found on their faces a seriousness far beyond their age, yet he found them innocent.
c. What idea do you get about the narrator from the above lines?
Brings out the narrators sensitivity and his keen sense of observation.
2. When the resistance movement began secretly to form they were among the first to join.
a. Which resistant movement is referred to in the above extract?
The resistant movement referred to here is the one against the Germans to liberate their country from them
b. Who are ‘they’ in the above extract? Why were ‘they’ the first to join the resistance movement?
‘They’ here are Jacopo and Nicola. The Germans had destroyed their family and ruined their home. Hence the young boys promptly joined the movement against them
c. Why did the movement begin secretly?
Like most resistance movement, it began secretly so that its members could achieve their mission before their movement was found out and curbed
3. They sat beside me, not speaking. For my part, I did not say a word.
a. Why did the boys sit quietly beside the narrator while being driven back?
They sat quietly beside the narrator because they were meditating upon and still savouring the taste of the brief but pleasant get together with their sister.
b. Why did the author not speak to the boys on their return journey?
He did not speak because he did not want them to get the slightest hint about the fact that he had discovered their secrete
c. What idea do you get about the narrator from the above lines?
The above line shows that the author was very considerate and thoughtful.
Answer the Following questions in about 40 words.
1. Why did the narrator and his companion were impressed with the two boys?
Though they were shabbily dressed these boys had something magnetic about them. An earnestness in their dark eyes impressed the two companions and they felt drawn towards them
2. Why did Nicola and Jacopo have to work so hard?
Being orphans Nicola and Jacopo had no one to support and feed them. Moreover they had to get their sister Lucia treated for tuberculosis. Hence they had to work very hard to cope up with the expenses.
3. “We do so many things, sir”. What different jobs did the boys do?
They sold wild strawberries, shinned people’s shoes, sold newspapers and also acted as tourist guides.
4. On reaching Poleta what surprised the narrator and why?
From the boys shabby appearance the narrator visualized that they would be going to some humble dwellings in Poleta. When Jacopo directed him to large villa the narrator couldn’t reconcile to it and felt surprised.
Answer the following question in 100 -150 words.
“War shattered their home but not the spirits”. What different values helped Nicola and Jacopo in the sustenance of their spirits.
War not only orphaned them but also snatched away their life of comfort and security. The shattering of their home by a bomb threw them to the streets. Life treated them harshly by exposing them to biting cold, starvation and utter hard work. However all these horrendous experience failed to break their spirit and they choose to face life with an unparallel courage. Neither scarcity of work nor the demanding nature of work intimidated them. They took up the challenges of life including the responsibility of getting their tuberculosis ridden sister treated readily without depending upon anyone. At such tender age they were generous enough to spend all their earnings for their sister and live in least comforts.
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