Two Gentlemen of Verona – A.
J Cronin
1. Answer the following questions briefly: (2 marks each)
a. Why did Luigi the driver disapprove of the boys?
b. Which fruit were the boys selling?
c. Where did the narrator first see the boys?
d. Why was the narrator strangely attracted to the two little figures?
e. How did the boys prove useful to the narrator and his companion?
f. Why was there seriousness in the boyish faces of the two boys?
g. Why does Nicola not reveal his plans to the narrator?
h. Why were the boys waiting for the last bus from Padua?
i. Who requested the narrator for the car?
j. Why was Nicola vexed with his brother?
k. How was the car beneficial for the boys?
l. Why did the nurse’s face light up?
m. How did the loss of parents in the war affect the two boys?
n. Against whom did the resistance movement start?
o. Why did the boys join the resistance movement?
p. What was the reason for the resistance movement to be a secret?
q. Why did the boys sit quietly while being driven back?
r. Where did the boys go every Sunday?
s. Why did the boys suggest the narrator go to the village café for a drink?
t. Why was the narrator so interested to know about the boys from the nurse?
u. Why was the nurse so eager to talk about the boys?
2. Answer in about 30-40 words :
a. How different were the two boys?
b. Why did the boys have to work so hard?
c. What was Nicola and Jacopo’s attitude towards the hardships of life?
d. What different jobs did the boys do?
e. Why were the boys in the deserted square at night?
f. Why was the narrator surprised when they reached Poleta?
g. What did the nurse tell the narrator about the boys?
h. What did the nurse tell the narrator about Lucia?
3. Reference to the context:
a. “As we made the rounds, my interest was again provoked by their remarkable demeanor.”
i. What idea do you get about the narrator from the above lines?
ii. When was the narrator’s interest in them provoked earlier?
iii. Why did the narrator find the boys remarkable?
iv. Give the meaning of the word `demeanor’.
b. “We should greatly like to go to the States. But here, at present, we have other plans.”
i. Who is the speaker in the above lines?
ii. Why does the speaker give a vague answer?
iii. What idea do you get about the speaker from the above lines?
iv. Why was the narrator eager to know about the boys’ intentions?
4. Long questions:
a. What does the author mean by “Their selfless action brought a new nobility to human
life, gave promise of a greater hope for human society?
b. War shattered their home but not the spirit. Comment.
c. Appearances are deceptive. Elucidate.
d. What have you learned from the lesson? (Ans. Love, faith and trust…)
e. Draw the contrast between ‘childish’ and ‘artless’ faces and the seriousness beyond their
years visible on them.
f. Justify the title ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’.
g. ‘Where there is a will, there is a way’. How did the two boys prove it?
h. Both the boys at Verona were full of grit, determination, and hope. At a young age, they
exhibited qualities that are difficult to come even in adults. This story teaches us not to
lose hope and courage even in adverse situations. Elaborate.
***************
