The
narrator realises why Nicola and Jacopo work so hard. Yet he does not
go in to meet their sister nor does he speak to them about what he
learns from the nurse. Working in groups, discuss the following
aspects of the story and share your views with the class.
(a)
The love and devotion, and the family values Nicola and Jacopo
display.
(b)
Their pride in themselves and their family
(c)
The trust they place in the narrator
(d)
The reason the narrator does not disclose to them that he knows
their secret.
The narrator realises why Nicola and Jacopo work so hard. Yet he does not go in to meet their sister nor does he speak to them about what he learns from the nurse. Working in groups, discuss the following aspects of the story and share your views with the class.
(a) The love and devotion, and the family values Nicola and Jacopo display.
(b) Their pride in themselves and their family
(c) The trust they place in the narrator
(d) The reason the narrator does not disclose to them that he knows their secret.
Note:
This question is to be answered on the basis of your own
understanding, experience and thoughts. It is strongly recommended
that you prepare the solution on your own. However, some pointers for
discussion have been provided for your reference.
(a)
Their
lives before the war;
Small
family: father, two brothers and a sister
How
war devastated their lives.
In
spite of contrary circumstances, how they are driven to get back to
their family.
(b)
The
boys never complain of their circumstances and the hardships they
face.
They
don’t want to reveal as why they are working day and night.
They
don’t disclose their reason for going to Poleta.
(c)
How
the boys are useful to the narrator and his companion.
Jacopo
requests the narrator to send them to Poleta in their car which they
might not have asked anybody.
After
initial disagreement between the brothers and reassurance from the
narrator they agree to go with him.
They
are very comfortable and trust him completely.
(d)
Nicola
initially is not comfortable with the narrator driving them to
Poleta.
After
some thinking they agree.
The
moment they reach their destination they jump out of the car and do
not ask the narrator to come with them. On the other hand, they
suggest him to spend time at a café in the village.
The
narrator understands their reluctance to share their purpose of
visit with him and, therefore, does not disclose to them that he
knows their secret.
Note: This question is to be answered on the basis of your own understanding, experience and thoughts. It is strongly recommended that you prepare the solution on your own. However, some pointers for discussion have been provided for your reference.
(a)
Their lives before the war;
Small family: father, two brothers and a sister
How war devastated their lives.
In spite of contrary circumstances, how they are driven to get back to their family.
(b)
The boys never complain of their circumstances and the hardships they face.
They don’t want to reveal as why they are working day and night.
They don’t disclose their reason for going to Poleta.
(c)
How the boys are useful to the narrator and his companion.
Jacopo requests the narrator to send them to Poleta in their car which they might not have asked anybody.
After initial disagreement between the brothers and reassurance from the narrator they agree to go with him.
They are very comfortable and trust him completely.
(d)
Nicola initially is not comfortable with the narrator driving them to Poleta.
After some thinking they agree.
The moment they reach their destination they jump out of the car and do not ask the narrator to come with them. On the other hand, they suggest him to spend time at a café in the village.
The narrator understands their reluctance to share their purpose of visit with him and, therefore, does not disclose to them that he knows their secret.
