Book Back Questions Prose 1

Based on the story “Two Gentlemen of Verona” by A.J. Cronin, here are the answers to your questions:

1. Short Answers (One or Two Sentences)

• a) Who did the narrator meet at the outskirts of Verona?

  The narrator met two small brothers, Nicola (13) and Jacopo (12), who were selling wild strawberries.

• b) Why did the driver not approve of the narrator buying fruits from the boys?

  Luigi, the driver, did not approve because of the boys’ shabby appearance, as they wore untidy, poorly fitted old clothes.

• c) The boys did not spend much on clothes and food. Why?

  They lived frugally and saved almost every penny to pay for the medical treatment and hospital bills of their sister, Lucia.

• d) Were the boys saving money to go to the States? How do you know?

  No, they were not; when the narrator suggested this, Nicola was evasive and replied they had “other plans,” which later turned out to be caring for their sister.

• e) Why did the author avoid going to Lucia’s room?

  The author did not want to intrude upon a private family moment and felt the boys would prefer to keep their secret and their dignity intact.

• f) What was Lucia suffering from?

  Lucia was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine.

• g) What made the boys join the resistance movement against the Germans?

  The boys joined the movement because the Germans had destroyed their home, killed their father, and left them to suffer in the streets during the war.

• h) What made the boys work so hard?

  Their intense devotion and sense of responsibility toward their ailing sister drove them to earn enough money for her expensive weekly hospital fees.

• i) Why didn’t the boys disclose their problem to the author?

  The boys were extremely dignified and self-reliant; they did not want anyone’s sympathy or charity and preferred to fight their own battles.

2. Medium Answers (Three or Four Sentences)

• a) Describe the appearance of Nicola and Jacopo.

  The boys were described as having brown skins, tangled hair, and dark earnest eyes. Nicola wore a worn jersey and cut-off khaki pants, while Jacopo wore a shortened army tunic gathered in loose folds about his skinny frame. Despite their shabby clothes, their faces held a seriousness far beyond their years.

• b) What were the various jobs undertaken by the little boys?

  The boys were highly resourceful and did any work available to earn money. They sold wild strawberries, shined shoes in the public square, and sold newspapers late at night. Additionally, they acted as tourist guides, ran errands, and even booked seats for the opera for visitors.

• c) How did the narrator help the boys on Sunday?

  When Jacopo requested a lift to Poleta, the narrator drove the boys himself in his car, even though he had given his driver the day off. He dropped them off at a large villa, which was actually a hospital, and waited patiently for them to finish their visit before driving them back to Verona.

• d) Who took the author to the cubicle?

  A pleasant-looking nurse wearing steel-rimmed spectacles and a white uniform greeted the author at the villa. She lit up when he mentioned the boys and led him through the hospital to the door of the cubicle where Lucia was staying.

• e) Describe the girl with whom the boys were talking to in the cubicle.

  The girl was Lucia, the boys’ twenty-year-old sister, who bore a strong resemblance to them. She was seen propped up on pillows in bed, wearing a pretty lace jacket, with her eyes soft and tender as she listened to her brothers’ chatter.

• f) Recount the untold sufferings undergone by the siblings after they were rendered homeless.

  After a bomb destroyed their home and killed their father, the children were thrown into the streets and suffered from near starvation and severe exposure to the cold winter. They lived for months in a makeshift shelter they built themselves amidst the rubble. During this period of extreme hardship, Lucia contracted tuberculosis of the spine.

• g) The narrator did not utter a word and preferred to keep the secret to himself. Why?

  The narrator realized that the boys’ dignity and pride were as important to them as their sister’s health. He knew they would prefer to believe their secret was safe and that they were seen as independent workers rather than objects of pity. By staying silent, he respected their noble spirit and their desire to handle their own burdens.

3. Paragraph Answers (100–150 Words)

• a) What was the driving force that made the boys do various jobs?

  The primary driving force behind the boys’ tireless work was their unwavering love and devotion to their sister, Lucia. After the war stripped them of their home and father, they were left with the responsibility of Lucia’s life-threatening illness, tuberculosis of the spine. Their refusal to give up and their determination to see her walk and sing again pushed them to undertake every possible job, from shining shoes to hawking newspapers. Their sense of duty and mature understanding of their circumstances meant they prioritized her hospital bills over their own basic needs like food and clothing.

• b) How was the family affected by the war?

  The war was a devastating force that completely shattered their once comfortable and cultured life. Their father, a well-known singer, was killed early on, and a bomb later destroyed their family home, forcing the three siblings into the streets. They faced starvation and lived in a shelter built from rubble while the city was under German occupation. The physical toll of this exposure led to Lucia’s illness, while the boys were driven to join the resistance movement.

• c) Write a character sketch of Nicola and Jacopo.

  Nicola and Jacopo are the epitome of resilience, maturity, and selflessness. Though only 13 and 12 years old, they display a “seriousness beyond their years,” acting as the sole providers for their ailing sister. Nicola is the more reserved and serious brother, often hesitant to accept favors, while Jacopo is lively but equally hardworking. Both are extremely dignified, refusing to beg or ask for sympathy, and they demonstrate patriotic courage by having participated in the resistance movement. Their devotion to their family highlights a noble character that remains unbroken by war.

• d) What message is conveyed through the story ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’?

  The story conveys a powerful message that true nobility is found in selfless service and sacrifice. It highlights how human spirit can remain unconquered even in the face of absolute devastation caused by war. The boys serve as a reminder that age is no bar to responsibility and that dignity lies in doing one’s work well without seeking pity. Their actions provide a “new nobility” and a greater hope for human society, proving that love and family bonds can overcome the harshest adversities.

• e) Justify the title of the story ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’.

  The title is perfectly justified as Nicola and Jacopo, despite their shabby appearance and young age, possess the qualities of true gentlemen. A gentleman is defined not by wealth or status, but by his dignity, integrity, and sense of duty. By working tirelessly and sacrificing their own comforts to pay for their sister’s treatment without a word of complaint, they exhibit a nobility of soul. Their refusal to beg and their commitment to their family reflect a chivalrous spirit that truly earns them the title.

• f) Adversity brings out the best as well as the worst in people. Elucidate this statement with reference to the story.

  In the story, the “worst” is represented by the horrors of war and the German occupation, which destroyed families and lives. However, this same adversity brings out the “best” in Nicola and Jacopo. Instead of turning to crime or despair after losing everything, they developed extraordinary resilience and selflessness. They channeled their grief into a focused mission to save their sister, demonstrating that hardship can polish human character to a high degree of moral excellence and maturity.

• g) Which character do you like the most in the story and why?

  Nicola is often the most admired for his mature sense of responsibility and quiet dignity. As the elder brother, he shoulders the primary emotional burden and is the most protective of their “secret,” ensuring they maintain their pride. His serious demeanor and willingness to do any job, no matter how menial, to support his sister show a strength of character that is truly inspiring. His refusal to seek help or sympathy even from a kind narrator reflects a deep-rooted self-respect that is rare and heroic.