2nd PUC English Chapter 5

A Sunny Morning Comprehension I.

Question 1.
Do you think Laura was a regular visitor to the park? What makes you think so?

Answer:
Yes, Laura was likely a regular visitor to the park. Upon entering, she expresses her happiness to be there that morning and mentions her concern that her usual seat might be occupied. This familiarity with the park and her specific seat suggests that she frequently visits.

Question 2.
Why are Don Gonzalo and Laura annoyed with each other?

Answer:
Dona Laura is annoyed with Don Gonzalo because he scares away the birds that are feeding on the crumbs she scattered in the park, despite her warning. On the other hand, Don Gonzalo is annoyed with her for complaining about the birds in a public space.

Question 3.
Dona Laura reads without her glasses as
(a) she has keen eyesight.
(b) she wants to impress Gonzalo.
(c) she knows every word by heart.
Answer:
(a) she has keen eyesight.

Question 4.
Gonzalo and Laura maintain their humorous conversation because they:
(a) have nothing else to do.
(b) enjoy being with each other.
(c) have the same temperament.
Answer:
(c) have the same temperament.

Question 5.
Laura and Gonzalo’s friendly conversation begins with (a) Gonzalo reading the poems. (b) Laura’s witty remarks. (c) a pinch of snuff.
Answer:
(b) Laura’s witty remarks.

Question 6.
Do you think Laura is an effective narrator?
Answer:
Yes, Laura is an effective narrator.

Question 7.
Gonzalo does not reveal his identity because
(a) he no longer loves her.
(b) his appearance has changed.
(c) he looks grotesque and old.
Answer:
(c) he appears grotesque and old.

A Sunny Morning Comprehension II.

Question 1.
At what specific moment do you think Laura and Gonzalo start to recognize each other?
Answer:
They begin to recognize each other when they share their backgrounds and secrets. Specifically, Gonzalo mentions he is from Valencia, and Laura reveals her memories of Villa Maricela.

Question 2.
What circumstances led Gonzalo to flee Aravaca?

Answer:
Gonzalo was in love with Laura and, one night, he waited outside her window to listen to her sing. Unexpectedly, the merchant who was set to marry Laura arrived and insulted Gonzalo. This confrontation escalated into a duel, during which the merchant was severely injured. Fearing the repercussions of this incident, Gonzalo had no choice but to escape from Valencia Aravaca.

Question 3.
Did Laura and Gonzalo long for each other after being separated by circumstances? Who is more passionate? How do they react to each other now?

Answer:
During their conversation, Laura and Gonzalo realize they are lovers, yet they pretend not to recognize each other. However, their true love remains evident and unmasked. As Laura departs from the park, she holds onto the hope of meeting him again, while Gonzalo reminisces about the rose garden. Their imaginations keep their past love alive. Laura exhibits more passion between the two.

Question 4.
What leads Doña Laura to conclude that Don Gonzalo is an ill-natured man?

Answer:
Doña Laura concludes that Don Gonzalo is ill-natured because he walks right into the flock of pigeons while she is feeding them. When she questions him about his behaviour, he dismissively replies that he does not care for the birds and rudely asks how dare she speak to him. These discourteous actions lead Laura to perceive him as an ill-natured man.

Question 5.
Laura and Gonzalo invent stories about themselves in order to:
(a) fool each other.
(b) forget the past.
(c) conceal their emotions.
Answer:
(a) Fool each other.

A Sunny Morning Comprehension III.

Question 1.
How is irony built into the play? Did you anticipate the characters’ past before they did?

Answer:
Doña Laura and Don Gonzalo were deeply in love in their youth, meeting regularly at her villa, ‘Maricela,’ near Valencia. However, Laura’s parents arranged her marriage to a merchant. One night, when Gonzalo came to see her, the merchant unexpectedly confronted and humiliated him, leading to a duel in which the merchant was severely wounded. Fearing the consequences, Gonzalo fled to Africa.

While Gonzalo wrote numerous letters to Laura, he received no replies, believing he had lost her love. Unbeknownst to him, Laura was waiting for his return, but her parents intercepted and destroyed his letters. After two years of waiting in vain, she married the merchant. Many years later, they encounter each other in a Madrid park, both older—Gonzalo suffering from gout and poor eyesight.

Although they had been visiting the same park without recognizing each other, their conversation revealed their true identities, yet they chose not to disclose this to one another. The irony lies in their eagerness to reconnect while pretending to be strangers, finding solace in their cherished memories. As readers, we can sense their past long before they do.

Question 2.
Why do Doña Laura and Don Gonzalo create fictitious stories about themselves?

Answer:
Doña Laura and Don Gonzalo craft fictitious stories because they believe it’s unwise to reveal their identities in their old age. Additionally, Laura is married, and Gonzalo is suffering from gout. Considering these factors, they choose to conceal their feelings for each other, preferring to cherish their sweet memories of the past as they navigate the remainder of their lives.

Question 3.
What feelings do Laura and Gonzalo experience as they leave the park? Are these feelings different from what they felt about each other at the beginning of the play?

Answer:
Laura and Gonzalo are both witty and intelligent. During their conversation, they recognize each other but choose to conceal their identities by weaving fictitious stories. Their love story is poignant, with Laura expressing concern that she might die before Gonzalo, and wishing he would decorate her funeral, while Gonzalo understands that she is truly Laura.

As they depart, they prefer to hold onto the sweet memories of their past rather than confront the realities of the present. Initially, they resented each other, but by the end of the play, their true identities are revealed, and their love is rekindled, transforming their feelings from resentment to renewed affection.

Question 4.
What do you think would have happened if they had revealed their identities? Do you believe they recognize who they are by the end of the play?

Answer:
If they had revealed their identities, they would have lost the element of surprise, curiosity, and interest that characterized their interaction. Both Laura and Gonzalo were discontent with their appearances in old age and feared that the other might be repulsed by how they looked. As a result, they chose to preserve their sweet memories and conceal the harsh reality of ageing. However, they are aware of each other’s true identities by the end of the play.

Question 5.
Do you think the blend of romance and comedy justifies the title of the play “A Sunny Morning”?

Answer:
The title “A Sunny Morning” serves as a clever pun that captures the interplay of romance and comedy in the play. A sunny morning can embody both warmth and chill—standing in the shade brings a sense of coolness, while the sun can be scorching. Here, the chill symbolizes the comedic elements, and the heat represents the romantic memories of the lovers. This blend of contrasting emotions effectively justifies the title.

A Sunny Morning Additional Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Who is Doña Laura’s maid?
Answer:
Petra is Doña Laura’s maid.

Question 2.
Who was sitting on Gonzalo’s bench?
Answer:
Three priests.

Question 3.
Who is Gonzalo’s servant?
Answer:
Juanito is Gonzalo’s servant.

Question 4.
What was Laura’s daily habit in the park?
Answer:
Laura’s daily habit in the park was feeding the pigeons.

A Sunny Morning Summary in English