Q/A “Two Gentlemen of Verona”

a. Why didn’t Luigi, the driver, approve of the two boys?

Ans: The two boys’ shabby appearance put the suspicious Luigi off. He was of the view that much better fruit was available in Verona.
Hence, he asked the narrator and his companion not to buy strawberries from the two untidily dressed boys with tangled hair.
b. Why were the narrator and his companion impressed by the two boys?
Ans: The narrator and his companion were impressed by the two boys as their eyes were thoughtful and sincere. The little boys had
something magnetic about them. The narrator and his companion found them strangely interesting and tried to find out more about
them.
c. Why was the narrator surprised to see Nicola and Jacopo working as shoeshine boys?
Ans: The narrator was surprised to see the two boys at the public square because they were shining people’s shoes. The narrator
thought that the boys only sold fruit to earn their livelihood, as he had earlier seen them selling strawberries. The narrator could not
stop himself from being curious to understand why they were engaged in so many professions.
d. How were the boys useful to the author? Or How did the boys make themselves useful to the narrator?
Ans: The boys were useful to the author because he was new to the place and the boys provided him information about good
restaurants, got him seats for the opera and found packs of American cigarettes for him. They also showed him places like Juliet’s
tomb.
e. Why were the boys in the deserted square at night? What character traits do they exhibit?
Ans: The boys were in the deserted square at night as they were waiting for the last bus from Padua. They wanted to sell newspapers
to the passengers of that bus and earn some more money. The character traits exhibited here are hard work and dedication.
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?
Ans: We learn that ups and downs are part and parcel of every human life. Complaints and hatred serve no purpose. Only dedication,
hard work and constant pursuit of one’s goal can bring about desired changes in one’s life.
g. When the narrator asks the boys about their plans, they are evasive. Why don’t they disclose their problems? Or when the
narrator asked Nicola and Jacopo about their plans, they were evasive. Why?
Ans: Nicola and Jacopo had an acute sense of self-respect and they believed in fighting their own battle in life. They didn’t like to take
the help or support of anybody. Therefore, they did not disclose their plans.
Long Answer:
h. Appearances are deceptive. Discuss with reference to the two boys.
Ans: A casual look at the two boys would barely arouse any interest in them. Yet, their appearance proved to be misleading because
their sense of responsibility, devotion to work, noble heart and sacrifices were hidden behind their shabby get-up. War had made
them helpless and orphaned but it could not snatch away the richness of their hearts. They stood as a symbol of hope for humanity.
i. Do you think the boys looked after Lucia willingly? Give reason for your answer.
Ans: Yes, I think the boys looked after Lucia willingly because no one was forcing them to work so hard to earn money. They sacrificed
their own needs to save the money for the treatment of their sister.
j. How does the story ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’ promise hope for society? Or What message does the story ‘Two
Gentlemen of Verona’ give?
Ans: If we take a glance at our society, we shall find most people working only for their own interests. Nobody cares about others, and
only cares for their own selfish needs. This tendency of people will kill any hope for humanity. “Two Gentlemen of Verona” is a story
of hope for society. The two boys, Nicola and Jacopo, are mature beyond their age. They work for the well-being of their sister Lucia,
who is suffering from tuberculosis of the spine.
They do many odd jobs to earn money for her treatment. They don’t fear the difficulties that come in their way. They bear their
hardships themselves and don’t seek help from others. To achieve their goal, they never adopt any wrong way. They are honest,
loving, brave and sincere. They believe in sacrifice, sincerity and devotion. The story, thus, conveys the message of sacrifice, sincerity
and devotion that gives a ne hope for society.
Additional Short Answer Type Questions:
k. What impression did the narrator get on his first meeting with the two boys?
Ans: The narrator and his friend met Nocola and Jacopo at the outskirts of Verona. The two boys were selling wild strawberries.
Though shabbily dressed, the narrator and his companion felt strangely attracted to them.
l. What different jobs did Nicola and Jacopo perform to make a living? Or What all errands did Nicola and Jacopo run for
their living?
Ans: The two boys did various odd jobs. They sold wild strawberries on the outskirts of Verona. They polished shoes. They hawked
newspapers and even acted as tourist guides. They also arranged opera tickets and American cigarettes for the narrator.
m. “They were childish enough and in many ways quite artless.” Who says it and why?
Ans: The narrator says these words for the two young brothers. The narrator finds the behavior and attitude of the two boys quite
interesting. They are wise but innocent. The younger one is full of life and the elder one keeps a charming smile on his face.
n. What was the difference between the personality of Jacopo and Nicola?
Ans: Jacopo was very lively, in fact, as lively as a squirrel. On the other hand, we find seriousness and maturity in Nicola. Jacopo was
frank by nature, whereas Nicola was sober and reserved.
o. Why did Nicola and Jacopo go to Poleta every Sundays?
Ans: The sister of the two young boys was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine and was admired in the hospital in Poleta. They
visited there every Sunday.
p. What were the hardships faced by Nicola and Jacopo?
Ans: The war destroyed their lives completely as their father, a widower, died and their house was destroyed by a bomb. They lost
everything. To look after their sister and themselves, they had to do all kinds of odd jobs.
 q. The nurse suggested to the narrator to go inside Lucia’s room in the hospital. Why did he reject her suggestion?
Ans: The narrator rejected the nurse’s suggestion because he did not want to disturb the family reunion. Moreover, he also didn’t
want to hurt the feelings of the two boys. He wanted them to believe that their secret was safe.
r. What favour did Jacopo ask from the narrator when he volunteered to do something for the two brothers?
Ans: The narrator was going to leave Verona on Monday. He asked the two brothers if he could do something for them. Jacopo told
the narrator that he with his brother Nicola went to a village in the countryside every Sunday. Jacopo asked him if he could take them
there in his car.
s. Draw the contrast between ‘childish’ and ‘artless’ faces and ‘seriousness’ beyond their years visible on them in the story
‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’
Ans: At the first glance, the two boys seem to be ‘childish’ and ‘artless’, but there is a very deep and serious side to them also. The
term ‘childish’ and ‘artless’ suggest innocence and immaturity, where seriousness indicates maturity. The hardships of their lives had
matured the boys beyond their years.
t. How did Nicola and Jacopo face the hardships of life?
Ans: Nicola and Jacopo took the hardships of life in their stride. They put in all their resourcefulness and energy to face all the
challenges that came their way. They neither indulged in any self-pity nor tried to arouse other people’s sympathy to get favours from
them.
u. Who are called the two gentlemen in the story and why? Or what special qualities make them fit to be called gentlemen?
Ans: Nicola and Jacopo display the qualities of hard work and sincerity. They do their duties and understand their responsibilities
towards their sister, who is suffering from tuberculosis of the spine. Moreover, they never let the world know about their hardships.
Hence, they have rightly been addressed as gentlemen.
v. Justify the title of the story “Two Gentlemen of Verona.”
Ans: The story “Two gentlemen of Verona” is based on two brothers, Nicola and Jacopo, who have devoted their innocent childhood
to restore their sister’s good health. They work extremely hard day and night, sacrificing their comfort, sleep and other basic needs.
They don’t want sympathy from others and wish to keep their mission secret. Their gentlemanly qualities fully justify the title.