Despite such a tender age, what made the two boys Nicola and Jacopo work so hard? (Two Gentlemen of Verona)
The two boys worked tirelessly to pay for the medical treatment of their sister, Lucia, who was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine after their family was lost in the war.
Marking Scheme
- 11 mark for stating they worked to pay for their sister Lucia's medical treatment.
- 21 mark for mentioning the disease (tuberculosis of the spine) or the wartime context of family loss.
Hint
The boys had a deeply personal and selfless reason for working so hard. Think about who they were secretly visiting at the hospital.
Quick Oral Answer
Nicola and Jacopo worked tirelessly at multiple jobs because they needed to pay for the hospital treatment of their sister Lucia, who was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine, after losing their family in the war.
Analysis & Explanation
This question tests the student's understanding of the central motivation behind Nicola and Jacopo's relentless hard work despite being just 12 and 13 years old. The answer must identify two key facts: first, that they worked to pay for their sister Lucia's medical treatment, and second, that Lucia suffered from tuberculosis of the spine. The story is set in post-World War II Verona, and the boys had lost their father in the war and their home was destroyed by bombing. Despite these devastating losses, they did not work for their own comfort but selflessly devoted every penny to their sister's hospital bills. This selflessness is the emotional core of the story. CBSE frequently tests this question because it connects to themes of sacrifice, family bonds, and resilience that are central to the CBSE value framework. Students often lose marks by writing vaguely that the boys 'worked for survival' without mentioning Lucia or her specific illness. The 2-mark allocation means examiners expect two distinct points: the sister's treatment and the nature of her illness. A strong answer will also briefly mention that the boys kept this secret out of dignity, which deepens the understanding of their character. The story is a masterclass in how Cronin reveals information gradually, building the reader's respect for the boys, and understanding this narrative technique can help students appreciate why this is such a powerful short story.
Common Mistakes
- 1Stating that the boys worked for their own survival or to buy food, which misses the central point that all their earnings went toward their sister Lucia's medical treatment.
- 2Forgetting to mention the specific disease (tuberculosis of the spine) that Lucia suffered from, which is a key detail expected in a 2-mark answer.
- 3Writing about the boys' various jobs in detail instead of focusing on WHY they worked, which is what the question asks. The question is about motivation, not activities.
Interesting Facts
A.J. Cronin, the author of 'Two Gentlemen of Verona', was a medical doctor before becoming a writer. His medical background gave him deep empathy for characters suffering from illness, which is reflected in Lucia's tuberculosis storyline.
The title 'Two Gentlemen of Verona' is a deliberate allusion to Shakespeare's early comedy of the same name, but Cronin uses it ironically to show that true gentlemanliness belongs to these poor working boys, not to the wealthy.
Tuberculosis of the spine, also known as Pott's disease, was a common and devastating condition in post-World War II Italy. Treatment in the 1940s often required prolonged hospital stays lasting months or years, explaining the boys' desperate need for continuous income.
Frequently Asked Questions
What different jobs did Nicola and Jacopo do to earn money?
The boys did a variety of jobs including selling newspapers, shining shoes, running errands, selling strawberries, conducting tourists around the town, and even working as night guides at opera performances in the Verona arena.
Why did the boys keep their sister's illness a secret from the narrator?
The boys were proud and did not want sympathy or charity. They preferred to work hard and earn the money themselves, showing their dignity and self-respect despite their difficult circumstances.
Who is the author of 'Two Gentlemen of Verona'?
The story is written by A.J. Cronin (Archibald Joseph Cronin), a Scottish novelist and physician who often wrote about ordinary people showing extraordinary courage and compassion.