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Question
How does the story 'Two Gentlemen of Verona' promise hope for society?
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Solution
The story Two Gentlemen of Verona has been written in the background of post-war time. Second world war was over. The Germans destroyed towns and cities along with a general massacre. The furies of war dried up all springs of human love, kindness and faith. But in . this story, we find that flame of human love and sacrifice is kept burning by two boys whose lives were darkened by the blackout of war. They lost their father, their house and their happiness. But it is evident that war tortured them not only physically but their interior, ’ their heart and spirit ^lso did not remain untouched by evils of war.
Furies of war make men selfish, cruel, inconsiderate and inhuman. But here we see the two boys working hard to earn money, not for themselves but for their sick sister. They sacrificed their personal comforts. They wore old clothes and ate black bread and figs just to keep them alive and fit for more hard work. Their sole concern was to earn as much money as they could. They willingly and readily picked up every job which came their way. They did it, not out of greed but to save their only sister, Lucia from the jaws of fatal tuberculosis. They spent a major portion of their money to pay off hospital dues and to keep their sister well fed and well clad.
Undoubtedly, the character of Nicola and Jacopo set an example of noble humanity before the materialistic world of today. The story promises hope for the modern society.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
What was the reason for the driver’s disapproval of the narrator buying fruit from the two boys?
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The narrator decided against going inside Lucia's room as ______.
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.
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"We do many things, sir," Nicola answered seriously. He glanced at us hopefully.
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He coloured deeply under his sunburn, then grew pale.
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He smiled uncomfortably. "Just plans, sir," he answered in a low voice.
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Yet in both these boyish faces there was a seriousness which was far beyond their years.
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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.
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, 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.
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.
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 Zlata’s Diary.
As you listen, 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. Zlata's friend, Nina died when ………………………………………………….......
5. Zlata and her father were worried about her mother's safety because ......................…
