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Question
Do you think the boys looked after Lucia willingly? Give reasons for your answer.
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Solution
Undoubtedly the boys, Nicola and Jacopo, looked after Lucia willingly. We see them working very hard day and night. They were always willing to work. Whatever job came their way, they picked it up without hesitation. They sold strawberries, they shined shoes, they hawked newspapers, they acted as guides and they earned sufficient money. But we never see them spending that money on their personal pleasures. They spent only a meagre sum on black bread and figs. Even the writer made a guess that they must be saving money for migrating to America to have a better life. But no, later on, we come to know that they spent a major portion of their money on medical treatment of their sister, Lucia who was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine. The entire picture of the hospital and the information given by the nurse reveal the truth that they looked after their sister willingly. They paid hospital dues regularly without being a defaulter. They visited their sister at Poleta every Sunday. They covered the distance of 30 kilometres from Verona to Poleta on hired bicycles. They did not do all this under any compulsion or obligation. They loved their sister and cared for her. This emotional bond of love and mutual trust furnished them with a spirit of sacrifice and dedication to their noble cause. Thus, they looked after Lucia willingly.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
What are the qualities of a "gentleman"? Work with your partner and complete the following web-chart by listing the qualities of a gentleman.

Based on your discussion above, what do you think the story is about?
Now read the story given below. Your teacher may use a variety of techniques for
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• Silent reading
• One student reading aloud to the whole class
• Students reading in small groups
• Dramatised reading in small groups
What impressed the narrator the most about the boys?
Their ______.
Jacopo asked the narrator to drive them to Poleta Why was Nicola uncomfortable with it?
The author chose to remain silent on their return journey because he thought the boys ______.
Based on your reading of the story answer the following question by ticking the
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The author did not speak to the boys on their return journey because.
What do you understand by the following statement?
He coloured deeply under his sunburn, then grew pale.
What do you understand by the following statement?
Yet in both these boyish faces there was a seriousness which was far beyond their years.
Answer the following question briefly.
How were the boys useful to the author?
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Answer the following question briefly.
When the narrator asks the boys about their plans, they are evasive. Why don't
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Appearances are deceptive. Discuss with reference to the two boys.
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.
Rewrite, in third person, any part of story you like.
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.
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.
Read the given excerpt and answer the questions briefly.
| “Well," I said, "we're 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 kilometres from here. Usually we hire bicycles. But tomorrow, since you are so kind, you might send us in your car." I had already told Luigi he might have the Sunday off. However, I answered, “I'll drive you out myself." There was a pause. Nicola was glaring at his young brother in vexation. "We could not think of troubling you, sir." "It won't be any trouble." |
- Identify the phrase that indicates that the visit to Poleta on Sundays is significant as a routine or tradition. (1)
- What does the narrator's offer to drive the brothers to Poleta reveal about his character? (1)
- Why was there a pause after the narrator’s offer? (1)
- State one reason why Jacopo might have wanted a car ride despite the choice of hired bicycles? (1)
