In the story Two Gentlemen of Verona, A. J. Cronin effectively explores the concept of selfless help and emphasizes the significance of commitment in relationships. The narrative focuses on two young boys, Nicola and Jacopo, who undertake various endeavors to earn money for their sister’s treatment, as she suffers from spinal tuberculosis. The story commences with the narrator driving through the foothills of the Alps and encountering the two brothers selling wild strawberries. Despite the driver’s warning against purchasing the fruits, the narrator defies this advice and purchases the largest basket before continuing his journey to town.
This scene highlights the initial stage of building a closer relationship between the narrator and the two boys. The following day, the boys were discovered polishing shoes in a public square, which greatly surprised the narrator. It was at this moment that they revealed their various means of earning money. This occurrence caused the narrator to form a fondness for them. He observed them as innocent, serious, pleasant, and sincere. The boys proved to be extremely helpful to the narrator, always willing to fulfill his needs. Additionally, the narrator witnessed them selling newspapers on a stormy night.
One day, the narrator asked if he could assist the boys in any way, and they expressed their gratitude for a ride to the nearby village, Poleta. Despite this not being in the narrator’s intended route, he agreed to take them. Upon arriving at a building, the boys disembarked and instructed the author to wait in a nearby café for their return within an hour. Gripped by curiosity, the narrator decided to secretly follow the boys to their destination, which turned out to be a hospital. Through a glimpse inside a room guided by a nurse, the narrator discovered that the boys were conversing with a girl who bore a resemblance to them. Not wanting to intrude any further, the narrator sought information from the nurse regarding the boys.
This is the moment when the nurse shared with him a heartrending tale about their father’s death and their home being destroyed in a war, as well as their sister’s battle with tuberculosis. Despite living in a shelter and enduring starvation, the brothers selflessly sacrificed to ensure their sister’s treatment. Their ability to keep a secret and assist their sister illustrates that their spirit remained unshaken by the war. In their own unique and understated manner, they displayed nobility, gentleness, and exceptional human qualities. This narrative distinctly reinforces the truth behind the adage “All that glitters is not gold,” thereby highlighting the deceptive nature of appearances.
