What do you understand by the following statements?

"We do many things, sir," Nicola answered seriously. He glanced at us hopefully.

Two Gentlemen of Verona is written in the first person. A story written in the first person is a first-hand account of events told or narrated through the eyes of a single character, typically the main character. Stories written in the first person are easily identified by the use of the pronoun 'I' rather than 'he or she'.

The reader will see phrases such as "I said, I thought," rather than "he said, she thought." Everything is experienced through the eyes of a single character, and all thoughts and observations are limited to that one person. There can be no outside observer. If the author does not see or experience an event first-hand, it cannot be a part of the story. All scenes in the story are filtered through this person's unique perception.

The third-person is a narrative mode in which both the reader and author observe the situation either through the senses and thoughts of more than one character, or through an overarching godlike perspective that sees and knows everything that happens and everything the characters are thinking. In this mode of narration, the author can tell the reader things that the main character does not know, or things that none of the characters know.

Rewrite any part of the story you like in the third person.

What do you understand by the following statements?

Yet in both these boyish faces there was a seriousness which was far beyond their years.

Answer the following questions briefly.

Why was the author surprised to see Nicola and Jacopo working as shoeshine boys?

Answer the following questions briefly.

The author 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?

Answer the following questions briefly.

When the author asks the boys about their plans, they are evasive. Why don't they disclose their problems?

Discuss the following questions and write the answers in your notebook.

Do you think the boys looked after Lucia willingly? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer the following questions briefly.

How were the boys useful to the author?

Discuss the following questions and write the answers in your notebook.

How does the story 'Two Gentlemen of Verona' promise hope for society?

Look at the italic words in the following examples.

a. We bought their biggest basket, then set off toward town.

b. One night we came upon them in the windy and deserted square.

c. He bit his lip, then in a rather put out tone he said, 'Very well.'

d. I shook my head and turned away.

Here are a few more. Match the phrases to their meanings.

Now use the phrases given above to complete the following sentences.

1. The landlord was suspicious of the two men staying in his flat so he called the police and

………………. them …………….

2. Early in the morning we packed our bags and …………… for a hike over the mountain.

3. Janvi ……………………. some photographs of her grandfather in the old trunk.

4. My father ……………….. his own business 10 years ago.

5. The Bank …………………………….. Paul's request for a loan.

6. The Corporation's decision to reduce the leave of the employees

………………………… a lot of opposition.

After her brothers' visit, Lucia writes a page in her diary about her past life and her present situation. As Lucia write the diary entry in about 150 words.