11.(i) Why did the narrator feel deeply moved by the boy’s devotion ? (Two Gentlemen of Verona)
11.(i) Why did the narrator feel deeply moved by the boy’s devotion ? (Two Gentlemen of Verona)
The narrator was deeply moved on learning that Nicola and Jacopo toiled endlessly at odd jobs and lived with extreme frugality not for themselves, but to secretly pay for their elder sister Lucia's treatment for tuberculosis of the spine in hospital. Their silent sacrifice, selfless love and unwavering devotion to her touched him profoundly.
Marking Scheme
- 11 mark: for stating that the boys worked hard / sacrificed and lived frugally.
- 21 mark: for the reason — to pay for their sick sister Lucia's hospital treatment (tuberculosis of the spine), showing selfless devotion.
- 3Accept answers that name the emotion (touched by their sacrifice and love) even if the disease name is omitted.
Hint
Think about the real reason the boys worked so hard and lived so simply — who were they secretly supporting?
Quick Oral Answer
Because he learned that Nicola and Jacopo endured harsh labour and lived frugally only to secretly pay for their sister Lucia's hospital treatment for tuberculosis of the spine — a devotion and sacrifice that moved him deeply.
Analysis & Explanation
The narrator is moved on discovering the true, selfless reason behind the boys' hard, frugal life.
Concept
- Nicola and Jacopo's strange thrift and endless toil are explained only when the narrator learns of their sick sister.
Key points
- The boys worked constantly (shining shoes, selling fruit/papers, running errands) and denied themselves comforts.
- Their real motive: secretly funding treatment for their sister Lucia, who had tuberculosis of the spine.
- Their quiet, uncomplaining devotion and sacrifice, not one grand gesture, is what touches the narrator.
Common mistakes
- परीक्षा में सावधानी: describing only that they were "hardworking" without linking it to Lucia's illness misses the emotional core and loses marks.
Common Mistakes
- 1Saying only that the boys were hardworking, without stating WHY (to fund their sister's treatment).
- 2Getting the reason wrong — e.g. saying they saved money for themselves or to leave the country.
- 3Exceeding the 30–40 word limit or omitting the sister's name/illness that gives the sacrifice its emotional weight.
Previously Asked
Despite such a tender age, what made the two boys Nicola and Jacopo work so hard? (Two Gentlemen of Verona)
Interesting Facts
A.J. Cronin (1896–1981) was a Scottish physician-turned-novelist; his medical background explains the accurate reference to 'tuberculosis of the spine' (Pott's disease).
The story is set in post-World War II Italy, when many children were orphaned and poverty was widespread — historical context for the boys' plight.
The title alludes to Shakespeare's play 'The Two Gentlemen of Verona', ironically applying 'gentlemen' to two ragged but truly noble boys.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Nicola and Jacopo in Two Gentlemen of Verona?
They are two poor, orphaned brothers of Verona, aged 13 and 12, who work at many odd jobs to survive and to fund the hospital treatment of their elder sister Lucia.
What illness did the boys' sister Lucia suffer from?
Lucia suffered from tuberculosis of the spine and was being treated in a hospital; the boys' relentless work was aimed at paying her medical bills.