Summary of Two Gentlemen of Verona Class 10 With Word Notes is an essential resource designed for the CBSE Class 10 Communicative English curriculum 2024-2025 by NCERT.
It provides a concise summary of the story along with detailed explanations of key terms, and word notes. This resource aids students in comprehensively understanding the narrative and preparing effectively for examinations.
Concise Summary of Two Gentlemen of Verona Class 10 CBSE
“Two Gentlemen of Verona” by A.J. Cronin is a heartwarming story that revolves around two brothers, Nicola and Jacopo, living in Verona during a time of war. Despite their humble circumstances, Nicola and Jacopo display remarkable resilience, kindness, and dedication to their duties. They work tirelessly to support their family and uphold their responsibilities, showing unwavering devotion to their sister, Lucia, who is ill.
The narrator, a visitor to Verona, becomes intrigued by the brothers’ selfless actions and learns about their secret struggle to save money for Lucia’s medical treatment. Despite discovering this, the narrator chooses not to disclose their secret, respecting their privacy and autonomy.
Through the portrayal of Nicola and Jacopo’s unwavering determination and selflessness, Cronin highlights the power of love, family bonds, and human resilience in the face of adversity. The story serves as a poignant reminder of the inherent goodness that exists within individuals and the importance of compassion and empathy in times of hardship. Ultimately, “Two Gentlemen of Verona” leaves a lasting impression of hope and the triumph of the human spirit.
अनुबाद :
ए.जे. द्वारा “वेरोना के दो सज्जन” क्रोनिन एक दिल छू लेने वाली कहानी है जो युद्ध के समय वेरोना में रहने वाले दो भाइयों, निकोला और जैकोपो के इर्द-गिर्द घूमती है। अपनी विनम्र परिस्थितियों के बावजूद, निकोला और जैकोपो अपने कर्तव्यों के प्रति उल्लेखनीय लचीलापन, दयालुता और समर्पण प्रदर्शित करते हैं। वे अपने परिवार का समर्थन करने और अपनी जिम्मेदारियों को निभाने के लिए अथक परिश्रम करते हैं, और अपनी बहन, लूसिया, जो बीमार है, के प्रति अटूट समर्पण दिखाते हैं।
कथावाचक, वेरोना का एक आगंतुक, भाइयों के निस्वार्थ कार्यों से उत्सुक हो जाता है और लूसिया के चिकित्सा उपचार के लिए पैसे बचाने के उनके गुप्त संघर्ष के बारे में सीखता है। इसकी खोज के बावजूद, कथाकार उनकी गोपनीयता और स्वायत्तता का सम्मान करते हुए, उनके रहस्य का खुलासा नहीं करने का विकल्प चुनता है।
निकोला और जैकोपो के अटूट दृढ़ संकल्प और निस्वार्थता के चित्रण के माध्यम से, क्रोनिन विपरीत परिस्थितियों में प्रेम, पारिवारिक बंधन और मानवीय लचीलेपन की शक्ति पर प्रकाश डालते हैं। यह कहानी व्यक्तियों के भीतर मौजूद अंतर्निहित अच्छाई और कठिनाई के समय में करुणा और सहानुभूति के महत्व की मार्मिक याद दिलाती है। अंततः, “टू जेंटलमैन ऑफ़ वेरोना” आशा और मानवीय भावना की विजय की एक स्थायी छाप छोड़ता है।
Line-by-Line Summary of Two Gentlemen of Verona Class 10
1. Text: As we drove through the foothills of the Alps two small boys stopped us on the outskirts of Verona.
Summary: Two young boys stopped us on the outskirts of Verona as we drove through the Alps foothills.
Word Meaning:
Verona: a city in Italy. Romeo and Juliet are believed to have lived there
2. Text: They were selling wild strawberries. “Don’t buy,” warned Luigi, our cautious driver. “You will get fruit much better in Verona. Besides, these boys…..”
Summary: Luigi, our careful driver, said we shouldn’t buy wild strawberries here because they’re tastier in Verona. He also said the boys selling them aren’t very good at their job.
Word Meaning:
warned: notify
Cautious: aware
3. Text: He shrugged his shoulders to convey his disapproval of their shabby appearance.
Summary: He raised his shoulders to show he didn’t like how they looked.
Word Meaning:
shrugged: raising (one’s shoulders) slightly and momentarily to express doubt
shabby: in poor condition through long or hard use or lack of care.
convey: enlight
disapproval: dislike
4. Text: One boy was wearing a worn jersey and cut-off khaki pants; the other a shortened army tunic gathered in loose folds about his skinny frame. Yet, gazing at the two little figures, with their brown skins, tangled hair and dark earnest eyes, we felt ourselves strangely attracted. My companion spoke to the boys, discovered that they were brothers. Nicola, the elder, was 13; Jacopo, who barely came up to the door handle of the car, was nearly 12. We bought their biggest basket, then set off towards the town.
Summary: One boy wore old clothes, while the other wore a shortened army outfit. Despite their appearance, we felt drawn to them because of their brown skin, messy hair, and serious eyes. We found out they were brothers, Nicola was 13, and Jacopo was almost 12. We bought their largest basket of strawberries and continued on our way to town.
Word Meaning:
worn – shabby
tunic – a loose garment, typically sleeveless and reaching to the wearer’s knees
tangled – twisted together untidily
companion – fellow
discovered – found
5. Text: Next morning, coming out of our hotel, we saw our friends bent over shoeshine boxes beside the fountain in the public square, doing a brisk business.
Summary: The following morning, when we left our hotel, we spotted our friends working hard shining shoes by the fountain in the busy public square.
Word Meaning:
brisk – energetic
6. Text: We watched for a few moments; then as trade slackened we went over. They greeted us with friendly faces.
Summary: We observed for a short while, then approached when they had fewer customers. They welcomed us warmly with friendly smiles.
Word Meaning:
slackened – reduced
greeted – welcomed
7. Text: “I thought you picked fruit for a living,” I said
Summary: I mentioned that I had assumed they worked as fruit pickers for their livelihood.
8. Text: “We do many things, sir,” Nicola answered seriously. He glanced at us hopefully. “Often 4 we show visitors through the town … to Juliet’s tomb … and other places of interest.”
Summary: Nicola earnestly explained that they have various jobs, sir. He looked at us with hope and mentioned that they often guide visitors around the town, including to Juliet’s tomb and other interesting places.
Word Meaning:
seriously – with earnest intent
glanced – take a quick look
hopefully – confidently
Juliet’s tomb
9. Text: Alright, “I smiled. “You take us along.”
Summary: I smiled and said it was okay if they took us along.
10. Text: As we made the rounds, my interest was again provoked by their remarkable demeanour. They were childish enough, and in many ways quite artless. Jacopo was as lively as a squirrel. Nicola’s smile was steady and engaging. Yet in both these boyish faces there was a seriousness which was far beyond their years.
Summary: While we were walking around, I noticed their unusual behavior once again. They seemed quite innocent and naive in many ways. Jacopo was very energetic, like a squirrel, and Nicola had a constant and charming smile. But despite their youthful appearance, there was a maturity in their expressions that seemed beyond their age.
Word Meaning:
provoked – evoked
remarkable – exceptional
demeanour – attitude
artless – talentless
steady – firmly fixed
engaging – charming
boyish – youthful
seriousness – earnestness
11. Text: In the week which followed we saw them frequently, for they proved extremely useful to us. If we wanted a pack of American cigarettes, or seats for the opera or the name of a good restaurant, Nicola and Jacopo could be relied upon to satisfy our needs.
Summary: During the week that followed, we saw them often because they were very helpful to us. If we needed American cigarettes, opera tickets, or recommendations for a good restaurant, we could count on Nicola and Jacopo to help us.
frequently – regularly
extremely – to a very great degree
satisfy – meet the expectations
12. Text: What struck one most was their willingness to work. During these summer days, under the hot sun, they shined shoes, sold fruit, hawked newspapers, conducted tourists round the town, and ran errands.
Summary: What stood out the most was their readiness to work. In the summer heat, they shined shoes, sold fruit, sold newspapers, guided tourists around the town, and ran errands.
hawked – clear the throat noisily.
conducted – managed
errands – a short journey undertaken in order to deliver or collect something,
13. Text: One night, we came upon them in the windy and deserted square, resting on the stone pavement beneath the lights.
14. Text: Nicola sat upright, tired. A bundle of unsold newspapers lay at his feet. Jacopo, his head resting upon his brother’s shoulder was asleep. It was nearly midnight.
Summary 13 & 14: One night, we found them in the windy and empty square, sitting on the stone pavement under the lights. Nicola looked tired, sitting up straight with a pile of unsold newspapers beside him. Jacopo, with his head on his brother’s shoulder, was asleep. It was almost midnight.
15.Text: “Why are you out so late, Nicola?”
16. Text: “Waiting for the last bus from Padua. We shall sell all our papers when it comes in.”
17. Text: “Must you work so hard? You both look rather tired.”
18. Text: “We are not complaining, sir.”
Summary 15 to 18: I asked Nicola why he was out so late. He said they were waiting for the last bus from Padua to sell their papers. I asked if they had to work so hard because they both looked tired. They replied that they weren’t complaining.
19. Text: But next morning, when I went over to the fountain to have my shoes shined, I said, “Nicola, the way you and Jacopo work, you must earn quite a bit. You spend nothing on clothes. You eat little enough — when I see you have a meal it’s usually black bread and figs. Tell me, what do you do with your money?”
Summary: The next morning, I visited the fountain to get my shoes shined and asked Nicola about their hard work and financial status. They didn’t spend much on clothes and ate minimally, usually just black bread and figs.
20. Text: He coloured deeply under his sunburn, then grew pale. He looked to the ground.
Summary: He blushed and then turned pale. He looked down at the ground.
21. Text: “You must be saving up to emigrate to America,” I suggested. He looked at me sideways, spoke with an effort.
Summary: The speaker suggested that the individual was saving money to move to America, but the individual struggled to respond.
22. Text: “We should greatly like to go to United States. But here, at present, we have other plans.”
Summary: We are eagerly planning a trip to the United States, but currently, we have other plans.
23. Text: “What plans?”
Summary: I asked them about their plans
24. Text: He smiled uncomfortably. “Just plans, sir,” he answered in a low voice.
Summary: He smiled uncomfortably and replied in a low voice, “Just plans, sir.”
25. Text: “Well,” I said, “we’re leaving on Monday. Is there anything I can do for you before we go?”
Summary: The speaker mentioned that they were leaving on Monday and asked if there was anything they could do for them before their departure.
26. Text: Nicola shook his head, but suddenly Jacopo said, “Sir,” he burst out, “every Sunday we make a visit to the country, to Poleta, 30 kilometres from here. Usually we hire bicycles. But tomorrow, since you are so kind, you might send us in your car.”
Summary: Nicola shook his head, but Jacopo informed him that they usually rent bicycles for their Sunday trip to Poleta, 30 kilometers away. Jacopo offered to take them to Poleta in his car tomorrow.
27. Text: I had already told Luigi he might have the Sunday off. However, I answered, “I’ll drive you out myself.”
Summary: I informed Luigi about his possible Sunday off, but I assured him that I would personally drive him out.
28. Text: There was a pause. Nicola was glaring at his young brother in vexation “We could not think of troubling you, sir.”
Summary: Nicola paused, glaring at his younger brother in vexation, and said that they could not think of troubling him.
Word Notes:
vexation – annoyance
29. Text: “It won’t be any trouble.”
Summary: The narrator replied there would not be any trouble.
30. Text: He bit his lip, then, in a rather put out tone, he said, “Very well.”
Summary: He bit his lip and reluctantly said, “Okay,” in a somewhat annoyed tone.
Word Notes:
put out – offended
31. Text: The following afternoon we drove to the tiny village set high upon the hillside. I imagined that our destinations would be some humble dwellings. But, directed by Jacopo, we drew up at a large red-roofed villa, surrounded by a high stone wall. I could scarcely believe my eyes and before I could recover my breath my two passengers had leaped from the car.
Summary: The next day, we drove to the small village up on the hillside. I thought we would go to some simple houses. But Jacopo directed us to a big villa with a red roof, surrounded by a tall stone wall. I was amazed and before I could catch my breath, my two passengers jumped out of the car.
Word Notes:
destinations – last location to visit
humble – respectful
dwellings – residence
surrounded – by all around
scarcely – almost not
32. Text: “We shall not be long, sir. Perhaps only an hour. May be you would like to go to the cafe in the village for a drink?” They disappeared beyond the corner of the wall.
Summary: They said they wouldn’t be gone for too long, maybe just an hour. They suggested that I might want to go to the café in the village for a drink. Then they walked away around the corner of the wall.
Word Notes:
disappeared – vanished
33. Text: After a few minutes I followed. I found a grilled side-entrance and, determinedly, rang the bell.
Summary: After a little while, I went. I saw a door with bars and rang the bell confidently.
34. Text: A pleasant-looking woman with steel-rimmed spectacles appeared. I blinked as I saw that she was dressed in the white uniform of a trained nurse.
Summary: A nice lady with glasses came in. I blinked when I saw she was wearing a white nurse uniform.
Words notes:
pleasant-looking – looking nice
steel-rimmed – frame made by steel
spectacles – eyeglass
blinked – shut and open the eyes quickly.
35. Text: “I-brought two small boys here.”
Summary: He said that he had brought two small boys there.
36. Text: “Ah, yes.” Her face lit up; she opened the door to admit me. “Nicola and Jacopo. I will take you up.”
Summary: She smiled and let me in. She said she’d take me to Nicola and Jacopo.
37. Text: She led me through a cool, tiled vestibule into the hospital — for hospital the villa had become. At the door of a little cubicle the nurse paused, put her finger to her lips, and with a smile bade me to look through the glass partition.
Summary: She took me to the hospital, which used to be a villa. The nurse stopped at a small room and told me to look through the glass quietly.
Wordnotes:
vestibule – entrance hall
villa – a large and luxurious country residence.
partition – division
38. Text: The two boys were seated at the bedside of a girl of about twenty two who , propped up on pillows, wearing a pretty lace jacket, was listening to their chatter, her eyes soft and tender. One could see at a glance her resemblance to her brothers. A vase of wild flowers stood on her table, beside a dish of fruit and several books.
Summary: Two boys sat by the bedside of their sister, a girl around twenty-two years old, who was propped up on pillows and wearing a lace jacket. She listened to their conversation with soft, tender eyes, resembling her brothers. A vase of wildflowers, a dish of fruit, and several books were on her table.
Wordnotes:
propped up – support
chatter – talking
resemblance – being alike.
39. Text: “Won’t you go in?” the nurse murmured. “Lucia will be pleased to see you.”
Summary: The nurse asked if I wouldn’t go in, mentioning Lucia would be pleased to see me.
Wordnotes:
murmured – say something in a low, soft, or indistinct voice
40. Text: I shook my head and turned away. I felt I could not bear to intrude upon this happy family party. But at the foot of the staircase I drew up and begged her to tell me all she knew about these boys.
Summary: I shook my head and walked away, feeling I couldn’t interrupt their joyful gathering. But then I stopped at the staircase and asked her to tell me everything she knew about the boys.
Word notes:
intrude – put oneself deliberately into a place or situation where one is unwelcome or uninvited.
staircase – a set of stairs
41. Text: She was eager to do so. They were, she explained, quite alone in the world, except for this sister, Lucia. Their father, a widower, a well-known singer, had been killed in the early part of the war. Shortly afterwards a bomb had destroyed their home and thrown the three children into the streets. They had always known a comfortable and cultured life — Lucia had herself been training as a singer — and they had suffered horribly from near starvation and exposure to the cold winter.
Summary: She was eager to help because they were alone in the world, except for their sister Lucia. Their father, a famous singer and widower, died early in the war. Their home was destroyed by a bomb, leaving them homeless. They had previously lived a comfortable life, and Lucia was training as a singer. They suffered greatly from starvation and exposure after becoming homeless.
Word notes:
explained – described
destroyed – demolished
comfortable – cozy
starvation – suffering or death caused by hunger.
exposure – disclosure
42. Text: For months they had barely kept themselves alive in a sort of shelter they built with their own hands amidst the rubble. Then for three years the Germans ruled the city. The boys grew to hate the Germans. When the resistance movement began secretly to form they were among the first to join. When the war was over, and we had peace at last, they came back to their beloved sister. And they found her ……suffering from tuberculosis of the spine.”
Summary: For months, they struggled to survive in a shelter they built themselves among the rubble. During three years of German rule, they grew to hate them. They joined the resistance movement early on. After the war, they returned to their sister, only to find her suffering from spinal tuberculosis.
Word notes:
amidst – in the middle of
rubble – waste or rough fragments of stone
resistance – the refusal to accept or comply with something
tuberculosis – an infectious bacterial disease characterized by the growth of nodules (tubercles) in the tissues, especially the lungs.
spine – backbone
43. Text: She paused, took a quick breath.
Summary: She paused and took a quick breath.
44. Text: “Did they give up? I do not have to answer that question. They brought her here, persuaded us to take her into the hospital. In the twelve months she has been our patient she has made good progress. There is every hope that one day she will walk – and sing – again.”
Summary: They didn’t give up. They brought her to the hospital, convinced us to admit her. In the twelve months she’s been here, she’s made good progress. There’s hope she’ll walk and sing again someday.
Word notes:
persuaded – cause (someone) to do something through reasoning or argument.
45. Text: “Of course, everything is so difficult now, food so scarce and dear, we could not keep going unless we charged a fee. But every week, Lucia’s brothers have made their payment.” She added simply, “I don’t know what they do, I do not ask. Work is scarce in Verona. But whatever it is, I know they do it well.”
Summary: She mentioned that due to the difficulty of the times with scarce and expensive food, they had to charge a fee to continue. However, Lucia’s brothers have been consistently making their payments, although she doesn’t inquire about their work in Verona. She believes they do it proficiently.
Word notes:
46. Text: “Yes,” I agreed. “They couldn’t do it better.”
Summary: I agree that they couldn’t have done it better.
47. Text: I waited outside until the boys rejoined me, then drove them back to the city. They sat beside me, not speaking. For my part, I did not say a word — I knew they would prefer to feel that they had safely kept their secret. Yet their devotion had touched me deeply. War had not broken their spirit. Their selfless action brought a new nobility to human life, gave promise of a greater hope for human society.
Summary: I waited for the boys, then drove them home. They stayed quiet, and I didn’t talk either, so they could keep their secret. But their dedication moved me. Despite the war, they hadn’t lost hope. Their selfless act showed a new kind of greatness in people and gave hope for the future of society.
Word notes:
devotion – love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person
nobility – greatness
