LITERATURE READERFICTION

F1

Two Gentlemen of Verona

A. J. Cronin

Lesson at a Glance
Nicola and Jacopo were two brothers, aged 13 and 12 respectively.
Their widower father was a well-known singer and was killed in the war against
Germany.
The war made them homeless and they had no one in the world except their sister
Lucia.
After the war they were reunited but found their sister suffering from tuberculosis
of the spine.
The narrator met the boys at the outskirts of Verona and he bought a box of wild
berries from them.
The narrator found them undertaking different jobs to earn a living.
The boys polished shoes, sold newspapers, and did many other jobs to earn money.
They also took the tourists to the places of their interestto Juliets tomb in and
around Verona.
They were very helpful to the narrator and his driver Luigi as they could buy a
packet of American cigarettes or arrange seats for the opera.
The narrator was leaving Verona on Monday. He asked if he could do anything for
them before going.
The younger brother Jacopo asked the narrator if he could drive them to their
village which was 30 miles from Verona.
The narrators driver Luigi had the Sunday off but the narrator drove them himself
to Poleta.
They leaped out from the car before a large red-roofed villa and promised to come
back within an hour.
The narrator rang the bell of a grilled entrance and a young lady in the dress of a
nurse came out.
She was a nurse who bade him to look through the glass partition without saying
anything.
The narrator saw both the brothers sitting at the bedside of a girl of twenty.
The girl resembled her two brothers.
The narrator requested the nurse to tell him everything what she knew about them.
The nurse told him everything and also how the brothers persuaded them to take
their sister Lucia into the hospital.
102

 She had made good progress in the last twelve months and they hoped that Lucia
would be able to walk and sing again.
The nurse told him that Lucias brothers made weekly payments for the hospital bills.
The narrator waited outside until the boys rejoined him, then he drove them back
to the city.
They sat beside the narrator but no one uttered a word.
The narrator wanted them feel that they had kept their secret safely.
Their selfless love, sacrifice and devotion touched the narrators heart.
Even the war had not broken their spirit.
Their selfless action gave a new hope for humanity.

SUMMARY OF THE LESSON

Two Gentlemen Of Verona is the story of two young boys, Nicola and Jacopo. The story
recounts how the two brothers devoted themselves to a hard and difficult life to earn money
for the treatment of their sister. She was afflicted with tuberculosis of the spine. The author
was impressed by their sincerity and devotion to the cause. They displayed maturity and
understanding beyond their years. Their selfless action brought a new nobility to human life
and gave promise of a greater hope for human society.
Two Small Boys Nicola and Jacopo
Two young boys stopped the narrator on the
outskirts of Verona. They were selling wild
strawberries. The elder brother Nicola was
thirteen while the younger brother Jacopo
was nearly twelve. The narrator was
strangely attracted towards them. He bought
their biggest basket inspite of Luigis (his
driver) unwillingness.

Nicola

Willingness to Do Any Work to Earn Money

Next morning, the narrator saw both the
brothers bending over shoeshine boxes in
the public square. They were doing a brisk
business. They didnt only pick up fruit but
also did many other things to earn a living.
Often they showed visitors round the townto Juliets tomb and other places of interest.
They proved extremely useful to the
narrator and his driver Luigi. They could
buy a pack of American cigarettes or seats
for the opera. They could be relied upon to
satisfy their needs. They shined shoes, sold
fruits and newspapers, took tourists round
the city and did all odd jobs for others to earn
money.

vkSj Jacopo uke os$ nks NksVs yM+o$s

nks ;qok yM+dksa us dFkkdkj dks Verona uke os$ 'kgj dh
ckgjh lhek ij jksdkA os taxyh LVkcsfj;k csp jgs FksA cM+k
HkkbZ Nicola rsjg o"kZ dk Fkk tcfd NksVk HkkbZ Jacopo
yxHkx ckjg dkA dFkkdkj fofp=k :i ls mudh vksj
vkdf"kZr gks x;k FkkA Luigi mldk MkbZoj dh vfuPNk
os$ ckotwn] dFkkdkj us mudh lcls cM+h Vksdjh dks [kjhn
fy;kA
iSlk dekus os$ fy;s fdlh Hkh izdkj dk dk;Z djus os$
bPNqd
vxys fnu dFkkdkj us nksuksa HkkbZ;ksa dks lkoZtfud pkSd esa
twrs pedkus okys cDlkssa os$ ij >qdk gqvk ns[kkA os [kwc
dekbZ dj jgs FksA os jksVh dekus os$ fy;s Qy gh ugha
rksM+dj ykrs Fks] cfYd vkSj cgqr&lh phtsa Hkh djrs FksA
vDlj os lSykfu;ksa dks uxj esa ?kwekrs twfY;V os$ edcjs
vkSj nwljs #fptud LFkkuksa ijA os dFkkdkj vkSj mlos$
Mkboj Luigi os$ fy;s cgqr T;knk ykHknk;d jgsA os muos$
fy;s vesfjdu flxjsV dk ,d iSo$s V ;k vkWijs k dh fVdVsa
[kjhn ldrs FksA mudh t:jrksa dks iwjk djus os$ fy;s mu
yM+dksa ij Hkjkslk fd;k tk ldrk FkkA os twrs pedkrs]
Qy vkSj v[kckj csprs] lSykfu;ksa dks ys tkrs vkSj nwljksa
os$ fy;s gj izdkj os$ dke djrs FksA
TWO GENTLEMEN

OF

VERONA n 103

 Waiting for the Last Bus to Sell Newspapers

One night, the narrator saw both the
brothers resting on the stone pavement.
Jacopos head was resting upon his elder
brothers shoulders. He was asleep. It was
nearly midnight. Nicola told them that they
were waiting for the last bus from Padua.
They could sell all their papers when the
bus came in there. The narrator thought
that they must earn quite a lot. They
worked so hard and ate so little. They spent
nothing on their clothes. The narrator
thought that perhaps they were saving up
to emigrate to America. But they had other
plans.

Narrator Drives Nicola and Jacopo to

Poleta
The author was to leave Verona on Monday.
He asked the brothers if he could do
anything for them before leaving. Jacopo
told that every Sunday they made a visit to
the country to Poleta, 30 kilometers from
there. Usually they hired bicycles to go
there. He asked the narrator if he could
take them there in his car. Luigi had the
Sunday off but the narrator answered
that he would drive them out himself.
The following afternoon they drove to a
tiny village. The two brothers came out
of the car and went towards a red-roofed
villa. They promised to be back within an
hour.

Lucia Suffering from Tuberculosis of the

Spine

The narrator found a grilled slide entrance.

He determinedly rang the bell. A pleasantlooking young woman appeared in the
white uniform of a trained nurse. She led
him into the hospital. She stopped at the
door of a little cubicle. She asked him to
look through the glass partition. The two
brothers were seated at the bedside of a
girl of about twenty. She resembled her
brothers. She was listening to their
chatter. The nurse asked the narrator to
go in. Lucia would be pleased to see him.

dFkkdkj dks ,d f[kldkus okyk yksgs dh lyk[kksa dk izo's k

}kj feykA mlus fuf'p;iwod
Z ?kaVh ctkbZA ,d izf'kf{kr ulZ
dh lis$n iks'kkd esa ,d lqgkous psgjs okyh ;qok efgyk fn[kk;h
nhA og mls vLirky ds vUnj ys xbZA og ml NksVs ls dejs
dh dksBM+h os$ }kj ij #d x;hA mlus dFkkdkj dks fofHkDr
djus okyh 'kh'ks dh nhokj esa ls ns[kus dks dgkA nksuksa HkkbZ
,d chl o"kZ dh yM+dh ds fcLrj os$ fdukjs cSBs gq, FksA ml
yM+dh dh 'kDy vius HkkbZ;ksa ls feyrh FkhA og mudh xIiksa
dks lqu jgh FkhA ulZ us dFkkdkj dks Hkhrj vk tkus os$ fy,
dgkA Lucia mls ns[k dj izlUu gksxhA dFkkdkj ml izlUufpr

v[kckj cspus os$ fy;s vkf[kjh cl dk bartkj djrs gq,

,d jkr dFkkdkj us nksuksa HkkbZ;ksa dks iRFkj ds cus iq$VikFk
ij vkjke djrs ns[kkA Jacopo dk flj vius HkkbZ os$
dU/kksa ij fVdk gqvk FkkA og xgjh uhan esa FkkA yxHkx
vkZ&jkf=k dk le; FkkA Nicola us mUgsa crk;k fd os
Padua ls vkus okyh vkf[kjh cl dk bartkj dj jgs FksA
os tc cl ogka vUnj vk tk;sxh rks vius lHkh v[kckj
csp ldrs FksA dFkkdkj us lkspk fd os vo'; gh Hkkjh
jde dekrs FksA os cgqr esgur djrs ijUrq [kkrs cgqr de
FksA os vius diM+kas ij dqN Hkh [kpZ ugh djrs FksA dFkkdkj
us lkspk fd 'kk;n os vesfjdk izLFkku djus os$ fy;s cpr
dj jgs FksA ysfdu mudh ;kstuk;sa nwljh FkhA
dFkkdkj Nicola vkSj Jacopo dks dkj esa Poleta
ys tkrk gSA
dFkkdkj dks lkseokj dks Verona ls tkuk FkkA mlus
HkkbZ;ksa ls iwNk fd D;k og tkus ls igys muos$ fy;s oq$N dj
ldrk gSA Jacopo us dgk fd gj jfookj dks os nsgkr esa
ogka ls 30 fdyksehVj nwj fLFkr Poleta tkrs FksA vDlj os
lkbZfdysa fdjk;s ij ys ysrs FksA mlus dFkkdkj ls iwNk fd
D;k mUgsa ogka dkj esa ys tk ldrk FkkA Luigi dh jfookj
dh Nqh Fkh ysfdu dFkkdkj us dgk fd og Lo;a dkj pykdj
mUgsa ogk ys tk;sxkA vxyh nksigj ckn os ,d NksVs ls xko
dh vksj x;sA nksuksa HkkbZ dkj ls ckgj vk;s vkSj ,d yky&Nr
okys edku dh vksj pys x;sA mUgksua s ,d ?kaVs esa ogk okil
vk tkus dk opu fn;kA

ywfl;k jh<+ dh gM~Mh os$ TB {k;jksx ls ihfM+r

104 n ENGLISH-COMMUNICATIVELITERATURE READERX

The narrator did not want to intrude upon

that happy family party. He begged the
nurse to tell him all she knew about those
boys.

ifjokj os$ feyki esa n[ky ugha nsuk pkgrk FkkA mlus ulZ
ls vkxzg fd;k fd tks Hkh og mu yM+dksa os$ ckjs esa tkurh
Fkh] og lc mls crk nsA

Family Destroyed by the War

Nicola and Jacopo were quite alone in the

world, except their sister Lucia. Their
father was a widower. He was a well-known
singer and was killed in the early part of
the war. A bomb had destroyed their home
and they were thrown into the streets. They
suffered horribly. They faced starvation and
were exposed to the cold winter. They
hated the Germans who brought all these
troubles for them. When the war was over,
they came to their beloved sister. They
found her suffering from tuberculosis of
the spine.

;q) }kjk ifjokj dh rckgh

fliZ$ viuh cgu Lucia dks NksM+ Nicola vkSj Jacopo
bl lalkj esa fcYoq$y vos$ys FksA mu dk firk ,d fo/kqj
FkkA og ,d tkuk&ekuk xk;d Fkk vkSj ;q) os$ vkjEHk
dky esa gh ekjk x;k FkkA ,d ce us muos$ ?kj dks rckg
dj fn;k Fkk vkSj mUgsa xfy;ksa esa /kos$y fn;k x;k FkkA
mUgksua s cgqr dqN lgkA mudk lkeuk Hkw[k ls gqvk vkSj mUgsa
B.Mh lnZ _rq dh ekj lgus os$ fy;s [kqys esa NksM+ fn;k x;k
FkkA os teZuksa ls ui$jr djrs Fks D;ksfa d os gh mudh bu
lHkh ijs'kkfu;ksa dks yk;s FksA tc ;q) lekIr gks x;k rks
os viuh I;kjh cgu os$ ikl vk x;sA mUgksua s mls jh<+ dh
gh os$ {k; jksx ls ihfM+r ik;kA

Sacrifice, Sincerity and Devotion to the

Cause

The boys did all that they could do for their

ill sister. They brought her to the hospital
and persuaded them to take her into the
hospital. She had made a lot of progress in
the last twelve months. It was hoped that
one day she would walk and sing again.
Lucias brothers used to pay weekly. The
narrator was shocked to know the story of
the two boys and their sister. He hurriedly
came out and waited until the boys rejoined
him. He drove them back to the city. They
sat beside him and spoke nothing. Even he
didnt say a word to them. He knew they
would prefer to feel that they had safely
kept their secret. Their devotion, selfless
action and sincerity touched his heart
deeply. Their devotion to the cause brought
a new nobility to human life. They gave a
new hope for humanity.

yM+dksa us tks Hkh os viuh chekj cgu os$ fy;s dj ldrs

Fks] lHkh oq$N fd;kA og mls gLirky yk;s vkSj mUgsa mls
gLirky esa HkrhZ djus os$ fy;s jkth dj fy;kA fiNys 12
eghus esa mlesa dkQh lq/kkj vk x;k FkkA ;g vk'kk dh tk
ldrh Fkh fd ,d fnu og py los$xh vkSj xkuk xk
los$xhA Lucia os$ HkkbZ gj lIrkg iSls pqdk nsrs FksA
o.kZudrkZ mu nks yM+dksa vkSj muos$ cgu dh dgkuh lqudj
vkgr gqvkA og rsth ls ckgj vk;k vkSj yM+dksa os$ ykSVus
rd izfr{kk djus yxkA og mUgsa dkj ls 'kgj yk;kA os
mlos$ lkFk cSBs Fks ij mUgksua s oq$N Hkh ugha dgkA mlus Hkh
muls ,d 'kCn ugha dgkA og tkurk Fkk fd mUgsa ;g
vuqHko dj vf/kd vPNk yxsxk fd mUgksua s vius jgL; dks
^lqjf{kr :i ls xqIr j[kk Fkk*A muos$ leiZ.k] fu"dke deZ
vkSj lPpkbZ us xgjs :i ls mlos$ fny dks Nw fy;kA vius
ms'; os$ izfr mudh leiZ.k Hkkouk us ekuo&thou dks ,d
u;h vPNkbZ iznku dh FkhA mUgksua s ekuork dks ,d u;h
vk'kk iznku dh FkhA

ms'; os$ izfr R;kx] lPpkbZ vkSj leiZ.k

ENRICH YOUR VOCABULARY

PAGE 3
Outskirtsthe outlying parts of a city,
base of a higher mountain, ps igkM+ os$

'kgj os$ ckgjh Nksj os$ bykos$A Foothillslow hills at the

vk/kkj ij NksVh igkfM+;kA
TWO GENTLEMEN

OF

VERONA n 105

PAGE 4
Wild strawberriesa type of fruit grown in jungle, taxy esa feyus okyk ,d izdkj dk QyA Cautious
careful and alert, lko/kku o pqLrA Shruggedshook to one side, oa$/ks ,d rjQ fcpdk;sA Convey
to express, O;Dr djus os$ fy;sA Disapprovalnot approving, Lohfr u nsukA Shabbydirty, xanhA
Appearanceoutlooks, fn[kkokA Wornold and damaged, iqjkuh vkSj f?klh gqbAZ Shortenedmade
short, NksVh dh gqbAZ Tunica loose outer garment covering the body down to the knees, ?kqVuksa
rd yEch ckgj iguus okyh <hyh iks'kkd] pksxkA Foldsmarks or lines made by folding, rg djus ij iM+h
ykbusAa Skinnynot fleshy but thin, iryh vkSj tks ekaly u gksA Framestructure (of body), 'kjhj
dk <kpkA Tangledtwisted together untidely, my>s gq,A Gazinglooking intently, ?kwj dj ns[krs
gq,A Earnesteager, bPNqdA Barelyhardly, eqf'dy lsA Set offbegan the journey, py fn;sA
Briskquick, fast earning, rst dekbZ djukA Slackedslowed down, eank iM+k] de gqvkA Greeted
welcomed, vfHkoknu fd;kA For a livingearning something for living, vkthfodk dekukA Glanced
looked quickly, rsth ls ns[kkA Juliets tombthe tomb of Romeos beloved Juliet, jksfe;ks dh izfs edk
T;wfy;V dk edcjkA Remarkablenoticeable, mYys[kuh;A Demeanourappearance and
behaviour, fn[kkok vkSj O;ogkjA Artless(here) innocent, funkZ"s kA Livelyfull of life, ltho] tnkfnyA
Steadyregular, fu;ferA Engagingthat draws attention, ;ku [khapus okyhA Frequently
often, many times, vDlj] dbZ ckjA Extremelyvery much, vR;f/kdA Packpacket, iSos$VA
Operaa dance-drama, vksijs k] u`R;&ukfVdkA Relied upontrusted, fo'oluh;A Struck(here)
impressed, izHkkfor djrk FkkA Willingnessready to do a thing, djus dh bPNkA Hawkedsold
by hawking, cksyh yxkos$ cspukA Ran errandsrunning to do things, Hkkx&Hkkx dj dke djukA
PAGE 5
Deserteda lonely (place), ,dka r ] lq u lku txgA Pavementfootpath, iq $ VikFk ixMa M hA
Beneathunder, uhpsA Uprightstraight upwards, lh/kk ruk gqvkA Quite a bitenough,
dkQhA Figsa fruit, vathjA Colouredchanged his colour, jax cny x;kA Pale(turned) yellow,
lifeless, ihyk] cstkuA Emigratemigrate to, fons'k tkukA Countrycountryside, nsgkrA Pause
a stop while speaking, cksyrs le; #dukA Glaringlooking angrily, xqLls ls ns[kuk@?kwjukA Vexation
in pain, ihM+k esAa Put out tonespeaking as if annoyed, ukjktxh Hkjs Loj esAa Tinysmall, NksVkA
Destinationthe last place of journey, eaftyA Humbleordinary, poor, lkkkj.k] xjhcA
Recoverget back, okfil vkukA Leapedjumped, ow$n x;sA
PAGE 6
Grilledbounded by grills, lyk[kksa ls f?kjk gqvkA Determinedlydecidedly, fuf'pr :i lsA
Blinkedwinked, iyd >idhA Lit uplighted up, izdk'ke; gks x;kA Vestibulelobby, ykWchA
Cubiclea small part of a room, cM+s dejs dk NksVk&lk fgLlkA Pausedstopped, #d x;hA Bade
asked to do, dgh djus os$ fy,A Partitiondivider, foHkDr djus okykA Propped upresting
against something, lgkjs fVdh gqbAZ Chatter(here) gossips, light talks, xIis] gYdh&iq$Ydh ckrsAa
Tendersoft, delicate, uje] uktqdA Resemblancesimilar in looks, ,d tSlk fn[kk;h nsukA Vase
flower pot, iw$ynkuA Disha plate used to serve food, jdkch Hkkstu ijkslus os$ fy,A Murmured
spoke complainingly, cqM+cqM+k;hA Intrudedisturbance, n[kyA Eagerready (to tell), bPNqd

106 n ENGLISH-COMMUNICATIVELITERATURE READERX

crkus os$ fy;sA Widowerwhose wife is dead, fo/kqj] ftldh iRuh dh e`R;q gks xbZ gksA Horribly
terribly, Hk;kud :i lsA Starvationdying of hunger, Hkw[kejhA Exposureopen to, [kqys gksukA
PAGE 7
Barelyhardly, eqf'dy lsA Sort ofkind of, izdkj dkA Sheltera living place for shelter,
'kj.k&LFkkuA Rubbledebris, eyokA Resistancefighting back, izfrjks/kA Tuberculosis (T.B.)
a disease of the lungs, risfnd] Vh-ch-A Spinespinal chord, jh<+ dh ghA Persuadedbrought
around, convinced, eukukA Scarcenot enough, vi;kZIrA Dearcostly, egaxkA Rejoined
joined again, nksckjk feysA Devotiontotal surrender for a cause, leiZ.k ms'; os$ fy,A Spirit
(here) will power, bPNk&'kfDrA Nobilitynoble virtue, usd xq.kA

REFERENCE TO CONTEXT
Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:
1. They were selling wild strawberries. Dont buy, warned Luigi, our cautious driver.
You will get fruit much better in Verona. Besides, these boys .....
He shrugged his shoulders to convey his disapproval of their shabby appearance.
(Page 4)
Questions
(a) Who were selling wild strawberries?
(b) Why does the narrator call Luigi a cautious driver?
(c) What is the antonym of the word approval in the passage?
Answers
(a) Two brothers Nicola (13) and Jacopo (12) were selling wild strawberries.
(b) Luigi was quite cautious about what to buy and whom to buy fruit from.
(c) disapproval
2. We do many things, sir, Nicola answered seriously. He glanced at us hopefully.
Often we show visitors through the town ... to Juliets tomb ... and other places of
interest.
(Page 4)
Questions
(a) Who are We mentioned in the first line?
(b) Why did Nicola glance at them hopefully?
(c) What is the synonym of the looked quickly in the passage?
Answers
(a) We mentioned in the first line stands for the two young brothers Nicola and
Jacopo.
(b) Nicola glanced at them hopefully to be engaged for a job or service by them. He
was ready to do all odd jobs for them.
(c) glanced
3. They were childish enough, and in many ways quite artless. Jacopo was lively as
a squirrel. Nicolas smile was steady and engaging. Yet in both these boyish faces
there was a seriousness which was far beyond their years.
(Page 4)

TWO GENTLEMEN

OF

VERONA n 107

Questions
(a) Why does the narrator call them childish and artless?
(b) Contrast two different styles of Nicola and Jacopo.
(c) What is the antonym of the word artful in the passage?
Answers
(a) The narrator calls Nicola and Jacopo childish and artless because they were
free from cunningness and had innocence of childhood in them.
(b) The younger brother Jacopo was full of life and energy and he was active like
a squirrel. The elder brother Nicola was composed and constant.
(c) artless
4. What struck one most was their willingness to work. During these summer days,
under the hot sun, they shined shoes, sold fruit, hawked newspapers, conducted
tourists round the town, and ran errands.
(Page 4)
Questions
(a) What was the thing that struck most?
(b) Give three works that they often did to earn a living.
(c) Find the opposite of the word bought in the passage.
Answers
(a) The young boys were ready to undertake any work and run errands. Their
willingness to do so many things struck the narrator most.
(b) They often shined shoes, sold fruit and hawked newspapers to earn a living.
(c) sold
5. Why are you out so late, Nicola?
Waiting for the last bus from Padua. We shall sell all our paper when it comes in.
Must you work so hard? You both look rather tired.
We are not complaining, sir.
(Page 5)
Questions
(a) Where were the two boys out so late and why?
(b) What did the narrator guess about them and how?
(c) Find the opposite of the word first in the passage.
Answers
(a) At midnight the two boys rested on the stone pavement in the public square to
sell their unsold newspapers. They were waiting for the last bus from Padua.
(b) The narrator guessed that they were quite tired because of working very hard.
(c) last
6. You must be saving up to emigrate to America, I suggested. He looked at me
sideways, spoke with an effort.
We should greatly like to go to the States. But here, at present, we have other plans.
What plans?
He smiled uncomfortably. Just plans, sir, he answered in a low voice. (Page 5)
Questions
(a) Why did the author think that the boys would emigrate to America?
(b) Who is He in the second line and why did he smile uncomfortably?
(c) What is the word for going to live in a foreign country in the passage?

108 n ENGLISH-COMMUNICATIVELITERATURE READERX

Answers
(a) The boys worked very hard. They were earning and saving money. This made
him think that they were saving money to emigrate to America.
(b) He is Nicola, the elder of the two brothers. He smiled uncomfortably because
he didnt want to reveal the secrets of their family. They were saving money
for the treatment of their sister Lucia.
(c) emigrate
7. There was a pause. Nicola was glaring at his younger brother in vexation. We
could not think of troubling you, sir.
(Page 5)
Questions
(a) Why was Nicola glaring at his younger brother in vexation?
(b) What favour did his younger brother ask from the narrator?
(c) Find the synonym of the word a short stop in the passage.
Answers
(a) Nicola was glaring at his younger brother in vexation because he was asking
for a favour from a stranger which was against their self-respect.
(b) The younger brother Jacopo asked the narrator if he could drive them to Poleta,
30 kilometres from Verona in a car on Sunday.
(c) pause
8. She led me through a cool, tiled vestibule into the hospital ... for hospital the villa
had become. At the door of a little cubicle the nurse paused, put her finger to her
lips, and with a smile bade me look through the glass partition.
(Page 6)
Questions
(a) Describe the hospital.
(b) Why did the nurse put her finger to her lips?
(c) What is the synonym for separation in the passage?
Answers
(a) A large red-roofed villa was converted into a hospital.
(b) The nurse put her finger to her lips to point out that the narrator should not
make a noise there.
(c) partition
9. Wont you go in? the nurse murmured. Lucia will be pleased to see you.
I shook my head and turned away. I felt I could not bear to intrude upon this happy
family party. But at the foot of the staircase I drew up and begged her to tell me
all she knew about these boys.
(Page 6)
Questions
(a) What did the nurse ask the narrator to do?
(b) Why did the narrator turn away and didnt go inside?
(c) What is the word for making a forced entry in the passage?
Answers
(a) The nurse asked the narrator to come inside the cubicle and meet the boys
and their sister Lucia there.
(b) The narrator turned away as he didnt want to intrude upon the party and
privacy of the happy family.
(c) intrude

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10. The boys grew to hate the Germans. When the resistance movement began secretly
to form they were among the first to join. When the war was over, and we had
peace at last, they came back to their beloved sister. And they found her ... suffering
from tuberculosis of the spine.
(Page 7)
Questions
(a) Why did the boys hate the Germans?
(b) What did they do when the war was over?
(c) Find the antonym of the word love in the passage.
Answers
(a) The boys hated the Germans because they were responsible for all the
destructions and troubles of their family.
(b) When the war was over, they came back to their beloved sister, Lucia.
(c) hate
11. I waited outside until the boys rejoined me, then drove them back to the city.
They sat beside me not speaking. For my part, I did not say a word I knew
they would prefer to feel that they had safely kept their secret. Yet their devotion
had touched me 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 7)
Questions
(a) How did the narrator and the boys behave while they were in the car?
(b) What was their secret and what would they prefer to feel?
(c) Find the opposite of selfish in the passage.
Answers
(a) The boys sat beside the narrator and spoke nothing. The narrator also didnt
utter a word to them.
(b) The boys wanted to feel that they had succeeded in keeping their secret from
the narrator. They were working hard and saving money for the treatment of
their sister.
(c) selfless

QUESTIONS FROM TEXTBOOK SOLVED

Q1. What are the qualities of a gentleman? Work with your partner and
complete the following web-chart by listing the qualities of a gentleman.

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Ans.

Certainly. A gentleman always has consideration for others and their feelings.
Q2. Based on your discussion above, what do you think the story is about?
.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
Ans. The story is about two young but brave brothers. They led a hard and miserable
life doing all kinds of jobs to earn money for their sisters cure.
The selfless action, sacrifice and devotion of Nicola and Jacopo give a new hope
for humanity. Neither war nor difficulties could break their spirit.
Q4. Based on your reading of the story answer the following questions by ticking
the correct options.
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.
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.
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
4. The narrator did not go inside Lucias 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.
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.

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Ans.

Q5.

Ans.

Q6.

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 sisters condition
(c) he thought they wouldnt tell him the truth
(d) he thought the boys might ask him for money for their sister.
1. (a) the boys were untidy and poorly dressed
2. (c) ability to perform many tasks
3. (c) did not want to ask anyone for favours
4. (a) he did not want to intrude into their privacy
5. (c) the Germans had ruined their family
6. (a) he thought the boys would prefer to keep their secret.
What do you understand by the following statements?
(a) We do many things, sir, Nicola answered seriously. He glanced at us hopefully.
(b) He coloured deeply under his sunburn, then grew pale.
(c) He smiled uncomfortably. Just plans, sir, he answered in a low voice.
(d) Yet in both these boyish faces there was a seriousness which was far beyond
their years.
(a) Nicola corrected the narrator that they didnt pick fruit only but did many
other things for a living. He glanced at them hopefully so that they could use
their services and give them the wages.
(b) The narrator asked what the boys did with all the money they earned. They
seemed to spend little on clothes and food. Nicola felt ashamed to answer
such a question. He coloured deeply under his sunburnt skin and finally
turned pale.
(c) Nicola replied that they had other plans rather than going to the States. He
felt uncomfortable in telling the narrator that cure of Lucia was their most
important plan at the moment.
(d) Outwardly Nicola and Jacopo appeared childish enough and in many ways
quite artless. But there were heavy responsibilities on their shoulders. They
brought a seriousness over their boyish faces which was far beyond their
tender age.
Answer the following questions briefly.
(a) Why didnt Luigi, the driver, approve of the two boys?
(b) Why were the narrator and his companion impressed by the two boys?
(c) Why was the author surprised to see Nicola and Jacopo working as shoeshine
boys?
(d) How were the boys useful to the author?
(e) Why were the boys in the deserted square at night? What character traits do
they exhibit?
(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?
(g) When the narrator asks the boys about their plans, they are evasive. Why
dont they disclose their problems?

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Ans. (a) Luigi, the driver, didnt approve of the boys for two reasons. First, their shabby
appearance discouraged him. The boys were selling wild strawberries. Luigi
hoped that they could get much better fruit in Verona. Hence, the cautious
driver didnt approve of the two boys.
(b) The two small boys could do many things. They proved themselves extremely
useful to the narrator and his companion. They could buy packets of
cigarettes, seats for the opera and name a good restaurant. They made them
very comfortable by doing such odd things.
(c) The author was surprised to see Nicola and Jacopo working as shoeshine boys
in the public square. He thought that they only picked fruit to earn a living.
But he got surprised to know that they could do so many things at such a
tender age.
(d) The boys were extremely useful to the author. They could be relied upon to
satisfy his needs. They could do so many useful things for him. They could take
him to places of tourists interest. They could buy a pack of American cigarettes
or seats for the opera for him. They could guide him to a good restaurant.
(e) The boys were resting on the stone pavement in the deserted square at the
windy and cold night. They were waiting for the last bus from Padua. They
could sell all their unsold newspapers after the arrival of the last bus. This
shows their dedication, hard work and selfless action to their cause.
(f) The narrator could see that the boys of such a tender age worked really very
hard. They looked rather tired. However, they didnt complain of their difficult
and hard work. They were self-sufficient and self-respecting. They could suffer
without complaining.
(g) The narrator asked the boys about their plans. They were evasive. They didnt
want to tell a stranger that their only plan was to earn enough money for the
treatment of their ailing sister. They didnt want to share their family secrets.
Q7. Discuss the following questions and write the answers in your notebook.
(a) Appearances are deceptive. Discuss with reference to the two boys.
(b) Do you think the boys looked after Lucia willingly? Give reasons for your answer.
(c) How does the story Two Gentlemen of Verona promise hope for society?
Ans. (a) Appearances are deceptive. One is likely to reach a wrong conclusion if one
goes by just appearances. In Two Gentlemen of Verona, the narrator and
his companion form a very superficial image of the two young boys in the
beginning. Their shabby appearance left a poor impression on Luigi. The elder
brother wore a worn jersey and the other wore a shortened army tunic. Their
tangled hair and dark eyes could deceive anyone. They were childish enough.
In many ways, they were quite artless. However their remarkable appearance
and behaviour aroused sympathy in the heart of the narrator. He bought the
biggest basket inspite of Luigis disapproval. He took a little long time to
understand that their boyish faces hid a seriousness which was a sign of
maturity. This seriousness was born out of sharing responsibilities. The boys
did so many things and shouldered many responsibilities. Their faces reflected
such a seriousness which was far beyond their tender years.
(b) There is no doubt that Nicola and Jacopo looked after their sister Lucia quite
willingly. The family was destroyed during the war. Once the war was over,
the orphan boys came back to their beloved sister. They had no one in the

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whole world to call their own except their sister. They were extremely pained
to know that Lucia was suffering from the tuberculosis of the spine. They
didnt give up. Even the war couldnt break their spirit. They brought her to
the hospital and persuaded the hospital authority to take her into it. She
had been a patient in the hospital for the last twelve months. She had made
a good progress. They hoped that one day she would walk and sing again.
Both the boys were willing to do any job to earn more and more money for
the treatment of their sister. Everything was so difficult. The food and work
were scarce in Verona. They worked exceptionally hard. They polished shoes,
sold fruit and newspapers and took the tourists around in Verona. Whatever
they did, they did willingly. They could wait on a wintry night for the last bus
from Padua to sell their unsold newspapers. They had self-respect and
maintained their family secrets. They paid the bills of the hospital every
week. Even the nurse praised their love and devotion towards their sister.
(c) The story Two Gentlemen of Verona has a universal appeal. It gives a definite
message to humanity. It is the message of selfless action, sacrifice and
complete devotion for a cause. It doesnt matter what the circumstances are
to achieve a goal. The two boys, Nicola and Jacopo were orphans and had no
one in the world except their sister. Even difficulties and the war could not
break their spirit. They worked for a noble cause. Their sister Lucia suffered
from the tuberculosis of the spine. They were quite young. Living was so
difficult in Verona. Even the job was scarce. However, they overcame all
difficulties and succeeded in their cause. They did all kinds of jobs. They
sold fruit and newspapers. They polished shoes and took the tourists around
the places of their interest. Whatever they did, they did with self-respect and
dignity. They never complained or asked for favours. They kept their family
secrets to themselves. Their selfless love, sacrifice, sincerity and devotion
to the cause give a new hope for humanity.
Q8. Look at the italic words in the following examples.
(a) We bought their biggest basket, then set off toward town.
(b) One night we came upon them in the windy and deserted square.
(c) He bit his lip, then in a rather put out tone he said, Very well.
(d) I shook my head and turned away.
Here are a few more. Match the phrases to their meanings.
Phrases

Meanings

set up

to start on a journey

break down

to tolerate a situation or a person

set off

to lose control of your feelings and start crying

put up with

to enter

put off

to be faced with or opposed by

put on

to start/establish a company

come in

to refuse/reject

come across

to postpone

come up against

to try to get help/advice/sympathy from someone

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Ans.

turn down

to wear

turn in

to meet or find by chance

turn to

to inform on or deliver up

Phrases
set up
break down
set off
put up with
put off
put on
come in
come across
come up against
turn down
turn in
turn to

Meanings
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to

start/establish a company
lose control of your feelings and start crying
start a journey
tolerate a situation or a person
postpone
wear
enter
meet or find by chance
be faced with or opposed by
refuse/reject
inform on or deliver up
try to get help/advice/sympathy from someone.

Now use the phrases given above to complete the following sentences.
1. The landlord was suspicious of the two men staying in his flat so he called
the police and ......... them ......... .
2. Early in the morning we packed our bags and ......... for a hike over the mountain.
3. Janvi ......... some photographs of her grandfather in the old trunk.
4. My father ......... his own business 10 years ago.
5. The Bank ......... Pauls request for a loan.
6. The Corporations decision to reduce the leave of the employees ......... a lot
of opposition.
Ans. 1. turned ... in
2. set off
3. came across
4. set up
5. turned down
6. came up against
Q9. 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 firsthand, it cannot be a part of the story. All scenes in the story are filtered through
this persons 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.
Rewrite any part of the story you like in the third person.

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Ans. Passage from the book in the first person

I waited outside until the boys rejoined me, then drove them back to the city. They
sat beside me, not speaking. For my part, I did not say a word---I knew they would
prefer to feel that they had safely kept their secret. Yet their devotion had touched
me 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.
The same passage in the third person.
He waited outside until the boys joined him, then drove them back to the city. They
sat beside him, not speaking. For his part, he did not say a wordhe knew they
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.
Q10. The narrator realises why Nicola and Jacopo work so hard. Yet he does not
go in to meet their sister nor does he speak to them about what he learns
from the nurse. Working in groups, discuss the following aspects of the story
and share your views with the class.
(a) The love and devotion, and the family values Nicola and Jacopo display.
(b) Their pride in themselves and their family.
(c) The trust they place in the narrator.
(d) The reason the narrator does not disclose to them that he knows their secret.
Ans. Group A : Nicola and Jacopo display love and devotion.
Group B : They love their sister Lucia so much.
Group C : They are totally devoted to their cause.
Group D : They have pride in their family values.
Group A : They work so hard and are ready to do any kind of work to earn money.
Group B : They spend little on clothes and food.
Group C : They save every penny so that they can pay the hospital bill every week.
Group C : They are totally devoted to their sister.
Group D : They hope that one day Lucia will be able to walk and sing again.
The students should try (b), (c) and (d) working in groups. It is purely a
classroom-activity.
WRITING TASK
Q11. 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.
Ans. The story Two Gentlemen of Verona recounts the selfless struggles and
sacrifices of the two young boys of Verona. Nicola and Jacopo are two brothers.
They are victims of the war. The Germans brought destruction and all troubles
to their family. Their widower father died in the early part of the war. Their house
was razed to the ground. They became homeless. They had no one of their own
in the world except their sister Lucia. Unfortunately, when they met her after
the war, they found her suffering from tuberculosis of the spine.
The two boys are burdened with the responsibilities at a very tender age. They
are willing to do anything to earn a living. They sell fruit, hawk newspapers, shine
shoes, conduct tourists round the town, and run errands. They are self-respecting
and dont need any favour from a stranger. Lucia is in the hospital. She has shown
a great progress. They are sure that one day Lucia will walk and sing again.

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These two young boys from Verona represent the best values of humanity. They
are proud of their family and its values. They dont want to live on charity. They
lead a very hard life and wake up till midnight to sell their unsold newspapers.
They dont want to expose the misery of the family in front of the outsiders. They
prefer to keep their family secrets only to themselves. Their sacrifice, sincerity
and devotion can be a lesson for humanity.
Q12. 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.
Ans. 20th March, 1945. Verona.
The war came as a disaster to thousands of families. It brought death and
disaster to our family too. My mother had died much earlier. Our father died
during the early part of the war. German bombing destroyed our house. We were
homeless orphans. My younger brothers Nicola and Jacopo were separated from
me. The war was over. My two lovely brothers came to see me. I remember how
much shocked they were when they came to know that I was suffering from the
tuberculosis of the spine. O God ! These two little angels are overburdened with
so many responsibilities at such a tender age. They are always willing to do any
kind of work to earn money. They spend little money on their food and clothes.
They save every penny so that they can pay the hospital bills every week. They
come to visit me every Sunday. They make me feel that one day I will be able to
walk and sing again. I am proud of my self-respecting younger brothers. They
are a living example of selfless sacrifice and devotion to a cause.
LISTENING TASK
Q13. Listen to an excerpt from the diary of a 13 year old girl Zlata Fillipovic who
writes of the horrors of war in Sarajevo in her book Zlatas Diary.
Based on your listening of the passage, complete the following statements.
1. The first sign of approaching war was .......
2. The family went into the cellar when .......
3. The awful cellar was the only place that could save their lives because .......
4. Zlatas friend, Nina died when .......
5. Zlata and her father were worried about her mothers safety because .......
Ans. Attempt yourself

MORE QUESTIONS SOLVED

I. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (30-40 words)
Q1. Where did the narrator find the two young boys and what were they doing there?
Ans. The narrator and his driver Luigi were driving through the foothills of the Alps.
Two young boys stopped them on the outskirts of Verona, a city in Italy. They
were selling wild strawberries. They stopped them considering them their
prospective customers.
Q2. Why did the cautious driver show his disapproval of the two small boys
selling wild strawberries?
Ans. The two young boys were selling wild strawberries. The cautious driver Luigi
conveyed his disapproval of buying strawberries from them on two grounds. The
boys looked shabby in their appearance. Moreover, they could get much better
fruit in Verona, which was not far away from there.

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Q3. Describe the physical appearance of Nicola and Jacopo as they are described
by the narrator.
Ans. Nicola, the elder brother was 13 and was more composed and steady than his
younger brother. Jacopo was 12 and was as lively as a squirrel. One boy was
wearing a worn jersey and cut-off khaki pants. The other was wearing a shortened
army tunic gathered in loose folds over his skinny frame. The two brothers had
brown skins, tangled hair and dark earnest eyes.
Q4. Why were the narrator and Luigi surprised to see the boys in the public
square?
[Imp.]
Ans. The two small boys met the narrator and Luigi selling wild strawberries on the
outskirts of Verona. They thought that they sold fruit only for a living. Next
morning, they were surprised to see the same boys bending over shoeshine boxes
in the public square and doing a brisk business. They were surprised at the
various works undertaken by the young boys to earn a living.
Q5. We do many things, sir, Nicola answered. Describe the various jobs
undertaken by the boys to earn a living.
[V. Imp.]
Ans. The narrator thought that the small boys sold fruit only to earn a living. However,
Nicola told him that they did many things. They sold fruit and hawked
newspapers. They took the tourists out to their places of interest. They shined
shoes and ran errands to make a living.
Q6. Describe the remarkable demeanour of the boys.
[V. Imp.]
Ans. The two small boys had a remarkable demeanour. It provoked the interest of
the narrator in them. They were childish enough and even artless. Jacopo was
lively as a squirrel. Nicolas smile was steady and engaging. However, their boyish
faces betrayed a seriousness which was far beyond their years.
Q7. Draw the contrast between childish and artless faces and the seriousness
beyond their years visible on them.
[V. Imp.]
Ans. Both the boys were of a tender age. Outwardly their faces looked boyish and
artless. They were far from being clever or cunning. However, their
responsibilities had made them mature much before their age. Hence, there
was a seriousness far beyond their years and it was clearly visible on their faces.
Q8. How did Nicola and Jacopo prove extremely useful to the narrator and Luigi?
Ans. Nicola and Jacopo proved extremely useful to the narrator and Luigi. They could
do many things for them. In the following weeks they used their services quite
frequently. If they wanted a pack of American cigarettes, or seats for the opera
or the name of a good restaurant, the boys were always ready to undertake any
work quite willingly. They could be relied upon to satisfy their needs.
Q9. Why were Nicola and Jacopo resting on a stone pavement beneath the lights
on a windy night?
Ans. Nicola and Jacopo could do any job to earn a living. They even hawked
newspapers. One day so many newspapers were left unsold. They waited for the
arrival of the last bus from Padua on a cold and windy night. They could sell all
their unsold newspapers to the passengers.
Q10. Why did Nicola smile uncomfortably when the narrator asked them about
their future plans? Why was Nicola evasive?
[V. Imp.]
Ans. The narrator thought that the two young boys were saving money to emigrate to
America. Nicola replied that for the time being they had other plans than going
to the States. The narrator wanted to know about their future plans. Nicola was
evasive on this question. He didnt want a stranger to know their immediate family

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Q11.

Ans.

Q12.

Ans.

Q13.

Ans.

Q14.

Ans.

Q15.

Ans.

Q16.

Ans.

Q17.

plans. They saved money to pay for the treatment of their ailing sister. Hence, he
was evasive and only uttered Just Plans, sir and smiled uncomfortably.
Luigi might have the Sunday off. Even then why did the narrator agree to drive
them to Poleta?
The narrator told the boys that they were leaving Verona on Monday. He asked
if he could do anything for them before going. Nicola remained silent but Jacopo
burst out. He asked if he could drive them to Poleta, 30 kilometres from Verona
on Sunday. The narrator knew that Luigi might have the Sunday off. He was
highly impressed by the sincerity and devotion of the boys. He agreed to drive
them himself to Poleta on Monday.
Did Nicola like Jacopos asking the narrator to drive them to Poleta on the
coming Sunday? If not, why did he glare his brother in vexation?
Both the boys were self-respecting and hardly looked for favours from other
persons. However, Jacopo, the younger brother showed a little weakness. He got
ready to take a little favour from the narrator. The narrator asked if he could do
anything for them before leaving Verona on Monday. The younger brother was
tempted to ask if he could drive them to Poleta on Sunday. The self respecting
and proud Nicola didnt relish it. He didnt want to take favour or put others in
trouble for them. He looked glaringly at Jacopo in vexation.
Where did the two passengers leap from the narrators car and disappear?
Why didnt they take the narrator with them?
[Imp.]
The narrator was asked to stop the car before a large red-roofed villa at a tiny village.
The two passengers, Nicola and Jacopo leaped from the car. They promised to come
back only in an hour. They disappeared beyond the corner of the wall. They didnt
take the narrator with them. They didnt want to share their story of earning and
familys secrecy with a stranger. They preferred to keep their secrets to themselves.
Why couldnt the narrator scarcely believe his eyes and was out of his breath
when the boys stopped at large red-roofed villa at Poleta?
They reached a tiny village. The car stopped at a large-roofed villa, surrounded
by a high stone wall. The author couldnt believe his eyes and before he could
recover his breath, Nicola and Jacopo disappeared. The narrator had hoped to
stop before a small house or hut. The poor boys could afford only such a modest
dwelling. He came to know only later on that the grand villa was not their home.
It was only a hospital where their sister Lucia was admitted as a patient.
What did the narrator see when he looked through the glass partition?
The nurse bade the narrator to look through the glass partition. He saw the two
boys seated at the bedside of a girl. The girl propped on the pillows listening to
their chatter. She resembled her brothers.
Why did the nurse put her fingers to her lips? Why did she ask the narrator
to go in after some time?
The nurse took the narrator to the door of a little cubicle. Reaching there she
paused and put her fingers to her lips. She asked the narrator to look only through
the glass partition. The ailing girl Lucia was talking to her brothers sitting at
the bedside. The nurse didnt want to alarm them. She assessed the situation
and allowed the narrator to go in after some time.
Why didnt the narrator go in to see the boys and their sister in the cubicle
inspite of the nurses insistence on it?

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Ans. The nurse asked the narrator to go inside as Lucia would be pleased to see him.
But the narrator dropped the idea of going inside. He shook his head and turned
away. He didnt want to intrude upon that happy family party and privacy.
Q18. Describe how the war destroyed Nicola and Jacopos family and made them
homeless.
[V. Imp.]
Ans. The war brought disaster and ruin for Nicola and Jacopo. Their father, a widower
a well-known singer had been killed in the early part of the war. A bomb destroyed
their home. They were homeless and orphans. They had tough times and
remained without food and shelter for long. Nicola and Jacopo had no one to call
their own except their sister Lucia.
Q19. Why did the boys grow to hate the Germans?
[V. Imp.]
Ans. The Germans were responsible for their ruin. They brought troubles for their
family. Their father, a well-known singer, died in the early part of the year. Their
mother had died much earlier. The bombing destroyed their house. The Germans
occupied the city for three years. The boys hated the Germans. They were among
the first to join the resistance movement against the Germans.
Q20. How did they meet their sister and in what condition did they find her? [Imp.]
Ans. Nicola and Jacopo had no one of their own in the world except their sister Lucia.
The war had separated them. When the war was over, they came back to their
beloved sister. However, they were shocked to find that Lucia was suffering from
tuberculosis of the spine.
Q21. Describe Lucias illness and her progress in the hospital.
Ans. Lucia, the beloved sister of Nicola and Jacopo suffered from a terrible disease.
She was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine. Her brothers moved her to the
hospital and she lay there as a patient. She had made a good progress within
those twelve months. It was hoped that she would walk and sing again one day.
Q22. What did Nicola and Jacopo do for her ailing sister? How could they manage
to pay off the hospital bills?
[V. Imp.]
Ans. Nicola and Jacopo did everything to make her ailing sister comfortable and happy.
Lucia was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine. They got her admitted in a
hospital. They visited her on Sunday every week. They worked very hard and did
all kinds of jobs to earn money. But they didnt give up and arranged to pay the
bills regularly. They hoped that she would be able to walk and sing again one day.
Q23. Why did the narrator say a word to Nicola and Jacopo during their return
journey to Verona ? Why did the boys sit beside him without speaking?
Ans. The narrator drove Nicola and Jacopo back to the city. They sat beside him
without saying anything. On his part, he didnt say even a word. He knew it well
that they would prefer to feel that they had safely kept their secret. He didnt
want to share their family secrets and embarrass them. On their part, the boys
were also unwilling to make public their personal misfortune and grief.
Q24. Why was the author touched deeply? Why does he think that their selfless
action give promise of a greater hope for human society?
Ans. Nicolas sacrifice and devotion to their cause deeply touched the narrator. The
way they were taking care of their ailing sister deserves our sympathy. Difficulties
and even the war could not break their spirit. Their selfless action, sacrifice,
sincerity and devotion to the cause give a new hope for humanity.

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Q25. Describe and justify the title: Two Gentlemen of Verona.

Ans. the story has been aptly and logically titled two gentlemen of verona. the title
of the story is that of one of the early plays of shakespeare. in the story the two
gentlemen are nicola and jacopo. they are thorough gentlemen. they are gentle,
cultured and human. they do all kinds of jobs to earn a living and make others
extremely comfortable. they can be relied upon to give any kind of service. their
selfless sacrifice and devotion to their cause raise them to human heights and
dignity.
II. VALUE-BASED LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (80-100 Words)
Q1. Give pen-portraits of two brothers, Nicola and Jacopo highlighting their main
traits and virtues in your own words. How does their selfless sacrifice and
devotion to their cause give a new hope to humanity?
[V. Imp.]
Ans. Nicola and Jacopo were two young boys. They were epitomes of selfless love and
dedication. They were real fighters who could overcome all hurdles and obstacles
that came in their way. Nicola, the elder brother was 13. Jacopo, was nearly
twelve. One boy was shown wearing a worn jersey and cut-off khaki pants. The
other wore a shortened army tunic. They had brown skins, tangled hair and dark
earnest eyes. Even Luigi conveyed his disapproval of their shabby appearance.
The poor boys were the victims of the German war. The Germans brought disaster
and destruction of their family. Their mother had died much earlier. The father,
who was a well-known singer, died in the early part of the war. They were left
as shelterless orphans as their house was destroyed by a bomb. They hated the
Germans. They were among the first to join the resistance movement against
them. They had no one to call their own except their sister Lucia. They met
their beloved sister after the war. And they found that she was suffering from
tuberculosis of the spine.
Nicola and Jacopo were real fighters, heroes. Even the worst kinds of difficulties
and the war could not break their spirit. They continued their struggle against
heavy odds. They were self-respecting and never complained or asked for favours
from anybody. They were ready to do any kind of work to earn a living. They sold
fruit, hawked newspaper, conducted tourists round the town, and ran errands. They
saved every penny which they could earn. They spent little on their food and clothes.
But they never forgot to make their payment of the hospital bills every week. They
got their sister admitted to a hospital and visited her on Sundays. They hoped that
one day she would be able to walk and sing again. Their selfless action, sacrifice
and devotion to the cause give a new hope for humanity.
Q2. The boys were willing to undertake any job not only for making a living but
also for a noble cause. They had to save their beloved sister. This made their
struggle and sacrifice quite ennobling and unique. How did their struggle and
sacrifice to save their beloved sister make them real heroes?
[V. Imp.]
Ans. Nicola and Jacopo were fighting against heavy odds. Their family was completely
destroyed in the war. They had lost their shelter and parentage. Now they were
orphans. They had none in this world who they could call their own except their
beloved sister Lucia. And even she was suffering from the tuberculosis of the spine.
Their struggle for existence is long but heroic. They were forced to shoulder much
bigger responsibilities at a very tender age. They were innocent and artless. They

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sold fruit, hawked newspapers, conducted tourists round the town, shined shoes
and ran errands. They proved extremely useful to anyone. They could be relied
upon to satisfy the needs of their patrons. They remained awoke till midnight on
a chilly wintry night waiting for the last bus from Padua. They did all this not only
to buy food and clothes. Actually, they spent little money on them. They were
struggling and saving every penny for a nobler cause. They had to pay the hospital
bills every week. They had to save their beloved sister Lucia. She was in the
hospital for the last few months. Life was very hard in Verona. They had no regular
job or any source of income. However, they didnt give in. Their devotion and selfless
sacrifice bore the desired results. Lucia had shown a lot of progress. It was hoped
that she would be able to walk and sing again one day.
Their selfless struggle and sacrifice to save their beloved sister made them real
heroes. They did so without complaining or without asking for any favour from
anyone.
Q3. The narrator was highly impressed by the selfless struggle of Nicola and
Jacopo for their existence. But what touched him most was their sense of
self-respect and their devotion to their sister. He makes a diary entry in about
80-100 words. Reproduce that entry here in your own language.
Ans. 20th March, 1947. Verona.
Life throws many surprises. When I first encountered Nicola and Jacopo on the
outskirts of Verona, I took them just two ordinary boys and nothing more. They
were selling wild strawberries. My driver Luigi did not approve of their shabby
appearance but I bought the biggest basket. Soon I found them shining shoes in
the public square. They did so many things to earn a living. They shined shoes,
hawked newspapers, conducted tourists round the town and ran errands. Very
soon they proved very useful to us. If we needed a pack of American cigarettes,
seats for the opera or the name of a good restaurant, we could rely on them to
satisfy our needs. One day I saw them resting on a stone pavement on a windy
and chilly night. They were waiting for the last bus from Padua. They wanted to
sell their unsold newspapers to the passengers.
I came to know of their selfless sacrifice and devotion rather late. I thought they
were saving money to emigrate to the States. They were self-respecting boys who
never troubled others or asked for any favours from anyone. When I drove them to
Poleta, I didnt know why they came there. I could know only from the nurse how
the war made them homeless orphans. Their only sister Lucia was suffering from
tuberculosis of the spine. Now I could understand why they spent little money on
their food or clothes. They saved every penny for the treatment of their sister. They
didnt want to make their personal pains and grief public to anyone. They were
proud to keep their family secrets only to themselves. Their selfless love and
devotion to the cause give a new hope to all of us and to humanity.
Q4. Both the boys Nicola and Jacopo were so much self-respecting and careful
that they could not make their family troubles public. They couldnt even
think of asking for favours or revealing their family secrets to any outsider.
Give three examples to show how they struggled and suffered in silence
without murmuring or complaining.
Ans. Both Nicola and Jacopo lived against heavy odds. They were the victims of the
war which ruined their family. They were left as homeless orphans. They had
no one who they could call their own except their sister Lucia. Even their beloved

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sister suffered from tuberculosis of the spine. Both of them had boyish faces and
looked innocent and artless. But they had to shoulder huge responsibilities at a
very tender age. They had to earn not only for a living but also for the treatment
of their sister. But they struggled without complaining. Actually they suffered in
silence without murmuring or complaining.
They could never imagine of asking any favour from anyone. The narrator asked
what he could do for them before leaving Verona. The younger brother betrayed a
little weakness. He asked if the narrator could drive them to Poleta on Sunday.
This was quite unbearable for Nicola. He glared at his younger brother in vexation.
He replied, We could not think of troubling you, sir. He bit his lip in vexation,
Both the brothers were too proud and self-respecting to make their personal grief
or troubles public. The narrator knew it well. He didnt want to intrude upon the
privacy of the family by meeting Lucia. He knew that they would prefer to feel
that they had safely kept their secret. They sat beside the narrator without
speaking anything.
Q5. How did the Two Gentlemen of Verona, Nicola and Jacopo give promise of a
greater hope for human society. Justify the title. What message does the
story give to the readers?
[V. Imp.]
Ans. A. J. Cronin titles the story Two Gentlemen of Verona, a title of one of the early
plays of Shakespeare. The story is aptly and rationally titled. Really, the two small
boys, Nicola and Jacopo, have all the virtues and gentlemanly grace and grandeur.
Their selfless action, their sacrifice and total devotion to their cause make them
noble characters. They and their family were totally ruined by the war. The war
left them as homeless orphans. They had no one in the world to call their own
except their sister. And she was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine. Both
Nicola and Jacopo showed rare courage and determination to fight against heavy
obstacles that came in their way. They undertook all kinds of work not only to
earn a living but also to save money for the treatment of Lucia. They spent little
on their food or clothes. They saved every penny so that they could pay the bills
of the hospital every week. Their selfless sacrifice, sincerity and devotion to their
cause earn our respect, sympathy and love for them. They were too self-respecting
and proud to show their personal troubles or grief to any outsider. Nor did they
ever ask for any favour from anyone. They didnt want anyone to intrude upon
their familys secrecy. Nor could they imagine to trouble others for their own
advantage. They were the finest specimen of humanity and their example gives
promise of a greater hope for human society.

TEST YOUR SKILLS

I. REFERENCE TO CONTEXT
Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:
1. One boy had on a worn jersey and cut-off khaki pants; the other a shortened army
tunic gathered in loose folds about his skinny frame. Yet, gazing at the two little
figures, with their brown skins, tangled hair and dark earnest eyes, we felt
ourselves strangely attracted. My companion spoke to the boys, discovered that
they were brothers.

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Questions
(a) How were the boys dressed?
(b) How did the author feel after gazing at the boys?
(c) Who was the companion of the narrator?
2. Next morning, coming out of our hotel, we saw our friends bent over shoeshine
boxes beside the fountain in the public square, doing a brisk business.
We watched for a few moments; then as trade slackened we went over. They
greeted us with friendly faces.
I thought you picked fruit for a living, I said.
Questions
(a) What did they find the boys doing next morning?
(b) How did the boys greet them?
(c) What did the author think the boys did for a living?
3. Well, said, were leaving on Monday. Is there anything I can do for you before
we go?
Nicola shook his head, but suddenly Jacopo said, Sir, he burst out, every Sunday
we make a visit to the country, to Poleta, 30 kilometers from here. Usually we
hire bicycles. But tomorrow, since you are so kind, you might send us in your car.
Questions
(a) Who were leaving on Monday?
(b) Did Nicola grab the opportunity provided by the narrator?
(c) What did Jacopo urge the narrator to do?
4. Why are you out so late, Nicola?
Waiting for the last bus from Padua. We shall sell all our papers when it comes in.
Must you work so hard? You both look rather tired.
We are not complaining, sir.
Questions
(a) Why were they waiting for the last bus?
(b) What did the narrator ask the boys?
(c) What did Nicola answer?
5. But next morning, when I went over to the fountain to have my shoes shined, I
said, Nicola, the way you and Jacopo work, you must earn quite a bit. You spend
nothing on clothes. You eat little enough--- when I see you have a meal its usually
black bread and figs. Tell me, what do you do with your money?
He coloured deeply under his sunburn, then grew pale. He looked to the ground.
Questions
(a) Where did the narrator find the boys next morning?
(b) What did the narrator think about the money the boys earned?
(c) Why did Nicola colour deeply under his sunburn and grew pale?
II. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
1. What were the boys doing on the outskirts of Verona and who were they?
2. Why does the author call his driver cautious. Give one example to prove it.
3. How were the two boys dressed up and how did they look?

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4. How many things Nicola and Jacopo did to earn a living?

5. Why was a seriousness beyond their years visible on their faces?
6. How did the boys prove extremely useful to the narrator and Luigi?
7. Why did they wake up for the last bus?
8. Why didnt they tell their plans to the narrator?
9. Why did Nicola glare at his brother in vexation?
10. Where did they ask to stop the car and why didnt they take the narrator with
them?
11. What did the narrator see through the glass partition in the hospital?
12. Why did the boys hate the Germans?
13. How did they turn homeless and orphans?
14. How could they pay the bills of the hospital?
15. Why did the boys and the narrator not speak during their journey back home?
16. How did the boys give a new hope for humanity?
III. VALUE-BASED LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. Describe the various works done by the boys to earn a living. How did they prove
useful to the narrator and Luigi?
2. They struggled and sacrificed not only to get food and clothes but for a noble cause.
What was their cause and how did they fulfill it?
3. The narrator records the struggles and devotions of the boys in his diary.
Reproduce that entry in about 100 words in your own words.
4. How were Nicola and Jacopo a symbol of selfless sacrifice and devotion for a cause?
How can they be a great hope for human society?

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