1st PUC English Notes | Two Gentlemen of Verona

12. Two Gentlemen of Verona

-A.J.Cronin

Glossary :

Outskirts : the borders of a town

Scarlet : red

Tangled : untidy

Exquisite : very beautiful

Drew up short : came to a halt

Provoked : arose, annoy

Unremitting : never failing

Ran errands : did small jobs for others

Emigrate : leave one's country and settle elsewhere

Baffle : confused

Piped up : high pitched voice of a child

Glaring : stare angrily

Vexation : worry, annoyance

Picturesque : attractive, charming way

Treble : high tone

Contentment : happy, satisfied

COMPREHENSION: I

1. Where does the narrator first meet the two boys?

The narrator first meets the two boys on the outskirts of Verona.

2. Why doesn’t the driver approve of the narrator buying fruit from the two boy? Does he succeed?

The driver doesn’t approve of the narrator buying fruit from the two boys because of their shabby appearance and also insisted that one can get better fruit in Verona. He does not succeed because author felt himself being strangely attracted towards these two children. So he bought their biggest basket, then set off towards the town.

3. List the different things that the boys did to earn their living

The boys did different things to earn their living and they were as follows: Shined shoes, sold fruits, Hawked newspapers, acted as tourists guide and ran errands and exploited every avenue for their living.

4. Inspite of working hard and earning money the two boys still looked poor because

C. Wanted to save the money for medical expenses.

5. What qualities in the two boys attracted the narrator?

The qualities in the two boys that attracted the narrator were their unremitting willingness to do any work, their polite, serious mannerism, helping nature, and extraordinary courage and indomitable spirit to survive against all odds.

6. Nicola was not pleased when Jacopo asked the narrator to drive them to Poleta as he

C. did not want to ask anyone for favour.

7. Why did the two boys go to Poleta and Why did they want the narrator not to follow them?

The two boys went to Poleta every Sunday to meet their ailing sister Lucia. They wanted the narrator not to follow them because they wanted to have their own secrets.

8. The narrator did not follow the boys because

C. He wanted to respect their privacy.

9. What had made the two boys and their sister homeless?

The two boys and their sister had been made homeless because a bomb had destroyed their home.

10. The author did not speak to the boys on their return journey because he thought

a. The boys would prefer to keep their secret.

11. What does the narrator learn from Lucia’s nurse?

Lucia’s nurse reveals a lot of unbelievable secrets of these two young boys. They lost their father, a widower in the war and then a bomb had destroyed their house. This left them on the streets and made them starve and exposed to the cold Veronese winter. Very soon, they built a sort of shelter with their own hands amidst the rubble. They worked in the underground resistance to German rule in Verona. They had intimate knowledge of the neighboring hills and this made them immensely valuable. They risked their lives many times for peace. When they got back the peace, they found that Lucia was suffering from tuberculosis of spine contracted during the miseries of the war. They never gave up. She was brought to the hospital and for the past 12 months, she is the patient there. Lucia had been making progress and the nurse says that there was hope that she would walk and sing one day. Every week Lucia’s brothers have made their payment but she’s unable to explain how they did it.

COMPREHENSION II

1. In what different ways were the boys useful to the narrator?

A J Cronin (1896-1981) was Scottish novelist and Physician. Cronin wrote his first novel Hatter’s Castle. This was such a great success that he gave up medicine to pursue literature. He wrote several novels like “The keys of the Kingdom’, The Spanish Gardener’ etc. His works have been translated into many languages and several of his books have been filmed. The narrator met the two brothers- Nicola, thirteen year old and Jacopo, twelve year old on the outskirts of Verona when they were selling strawberries. Inspite of their appearance, the narrator bought fruit from them. In the days that followed the narrator discovered that these boys did a lot of other things apart from selling fruits. They sold newspapers, they polished shoes, and they worked as guides to tourists and ran errands. The boys proved to be extremely useful to the narrator. Whenever they wanted a pack of American cigarettes or seats for the opera or the name of a good restaurant that could provide ravioli, they satisfied their needs with their usual cheerful competence.

2. What do you understand about the boy’s character from their action and behavior?

A J Cronin (1896-1981) was Scottish novelist and Physician. Cronin wrote his first novel Hatter’s Castle. This was such a great success that he gave up medicine to pursue literature. He wrote several novels like “The keys of the Kingdom’, The Spanish Gardener’ etc. His works have been translated into many languages and several of his books have been filmed. Nicola is a thirteen year old boy whose younger brother Jacopo is just twelve. The hardship in life has made the boys very mature for their age. They work selflessly and tirelessly for the treatment of their sister, Lucia who was suffering from tuberculosis of spine. They are shabby in their dress and live on black bread and figs, but kept their sister in an expensive hospital to get the best of care. The boys were very friendly and innocent but beneath their cheerful smile some sadness was hidden. Their eagerness to do any work was really remarkable. The boys appear to be cheerful, polite, well mannered and compassionate. They also have a lot of self respect. They are extremely hardworking and matured in their outlook. They do not want to gain sympathy from the people by narrating their personal tragedy. They appear to be very caring and considerate brothers.

COMPREHENSION III

1. Do you think the ending comes to you as a surprise? Why?

A J Cronin (1896-1981) was Scottish novelist and Physician. Cronin wrote his first novel Hatter’s Castle. This was such a great success that he gave up medicine to pursue literature. He wrote several novels like “The keys of the Kingdom’, The Spanish Gardener’ etc. His works have been translated into many languages and several of his books have been filmed. Yes, the ending comes as a surprise. In the initial part of the story it appears that these boys are working hard for money only. As the narration continues we get to understand that the boys are more than just the street vendors. They appear to be men of hard work and of high self esteem. Their love for their sick sister Lucia and willingness to take up any job cheerfully at that age really surprises everyone. Nicola is a thirteen year old boy whose younger brother Jacopo is just twelve. The hardship in life has made the boys very mature for their age. They work selflessly and tirelessly for the treatment of their sister, Lucia who was suffering from tuberculosis of spine. They are shabby in their dress and live on black bread and figs, but kept their sister in an expensive hospital to get the best of care.

2. Had you been in the place of the narrator would you have behaved differently?

A J Cronin (1896-1981) was Scottish novelist and Physician. Cronin wrote his first novel Hatter’s Castle. This was such a great success that he gave up medicine to pursue literature. He wrote several novels like “The keys of the Kingdom’, The Spanish Gardener’ etc. His works have been translated into many languages and several of his books have been filmed. If I were in the place of the narrator, I guess I would have behaved differently towards the two young boys. After learning about their personal tragedy and sister’s ailment, one could develop sympathy and render a helping hand. Whereas the narrator did not do any of those, in order to respect their privacy and self esteem.

3. “Appearances are Deceptive”. How does the story bring out this idea?

A J Cronin (1896-1981) was Scottish novelist and Physician. Cronin wrote his first novel Hatter’s Castle. This was such a great success that he gave up medicine to pursue literature. He wrote several novels like “The keys of the Kingdom’, The Spanish Gardener’ etc. His works have been translated into many languages and several of his books have been filmed. Appearances are deceptive; they need not reveal the character of a person. Nicola and Jacopo initially were seen dressed shabbily selling strawberries. Inspite of their appearances, the author bought fruit from them. The narrator realizes that the boys did a lot of other things apart from selling straw berries in the days that followed. They sold newspapers, polished shoes, worked as Guides to the tourists and many more. The author discovers a sense of purpose and self esteem that was beyond their age. Despite their appearances they never derived a favor or pity from anyone. They earned a living for themselves and provided medical assistance to their ailing sister Lucia at the best of the Hospitals.

4. War may destroy one’s home but not one’s heart.’ Discuss the statement

A J Cronin (1896-1981) was Scottish novelist and Physician. Cronin wrote his first novel Hatter’s Castle. This was such a great success that he gave up medicine to pursue literature. He wrote several novels like “The keys of the Kingdom’, The Spanish Gardener’ etc. His works have been translated into many languages and several of his books have been filmed. With reference to the story of the two boys. Inspite of the trouble and the loss caused by the war, the boys were able to cheerfully carry on with their tasks. They had to help Lucia, their sister to recover from her illness; they did it with more enthusiasm. The war had destroyed everything, starting from their father and then their house. Later on they discover that their sister is suffering from TB of spine. They are orphaned, homeless and still young. They choose to lead a life of dignity. Until the war they had led a comfortable life. War had thrown them to the streets, exposing them to bitter cold and extreme starvation. The destruction caused by the war had not broken their spirits. Their sacrifice, devotion and maturity bring in new hope for themselves. They are able to cheerfully carry on with their lives and add meaning to it.

5. Do you think the story is telling a comment on the true character of ‘gentleman ‘elaborate?

A J Cronin (1896-1981) was Scottish novelist and Physician. Cronin wrote his first novel Hatter’s Castle. This was such a great success that he gave up medicine to pursue literature. He wrote several novels like “The keys of the Kingdom’, The Spanish Gardener’ etc. His works have been translated into many languages and several of his books have been filmed. The story is definitely telling a comment on the true character of a gentleman, because the two small boys have all the qualities of a true gentleman. At that young age, they behave in a perfectly matured way. They are polite, sensitive and compassionate. They do not want to trouble or bother others about their problems. They never complain about their past and are ever smiling.

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