Reading

A Sunny Morning

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

a. What makes Dona Laura think that Don Gonzalo is an ill-natured man? Why do neither Dona Laura nor Don Gonzalo reveal their true identities?
Ans: The rude act as well as the talking manner of Gonzalo makes Laura think that he is an ill-natured man. Gonzalo scares all the pigeons to which Laura is feeding breadcrumbs in the park. He even replies to Laura’s question’s answer in a very rude way. Neither Dona Laura nor Don Gonzalo reveals their true identities because they realise that they were lovers in the past time. Both of them are quite old now and away from their youthful days. They think it better to hide their identities and prefer to be happy through admirable words from both sides.

b. At what point of time, do you think, Laura and Gonzalo begin to recognize each other?
Ans: Laura admits to have lived at Maricela near Valencia whereas Gonzalo claims to be Valencia. This coincidence makes them suspect their truth.

c. When does Dona Laura realize that Don Gonzalo was her former lover?
Ans: After they share their memory of the hometown, Gonzalo tells her about the Silver Maiden and describes her beauty. At this time, Dona Laura realizes that Don Gonzalo was her former lover.

d. Why do Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo spin fictitious stories about themselves?
Ans: Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo spin fictitious stories about themselves because they don’t want to reveal their real identity to each other. They are quite old now and away from their romantic past. They are not happy with their old age looks. They prefer to hear admirable words from each other in this old age. They think it better to interact with each other being unfamiliar.

e. How do Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo feel about each other?
Ans: Laura and Gonzalo both still love each other. Though they have an unexpected encounter at the park after 22 years, they’re quite happy to see each other. Gonzalo still sees her as a beautiful girl waiting for him outside her window, and she still sees him as the courageous young man who walks by her home everyday. They even promised to meet the next day.

Reference to the text

a. Look at the extract below and answer the questions that follow:

i. Who is the speaker?
Ans: Dona Laura is the speaker.

ii. Who does ‘you’ refer to?
Ans: ‘you’ refers to Dona Laura’s maid Petra.

iii. Who is the ‘guard’ the speaker is talking to?
Ans: Park’s guard is the ‘guard’ the speaker is talking to.

b. Read the extract dialogue from the play and answer the questions that follow:

c. Who is Dona addressing by saying “Look out”?
Ans: Dona is  addressing Don Gonzalo by saying ‘Look out”.

d. What was Dona doing?
Ans: Dona was feeding breadcrumbs to pigeons in the park.

e. Who scared the birds? Are they pet birds?
Ans: Don Gonzalo scared the birds. No, they aren’t pet birds.

f. Where are the speakers at the time of the conversation?
Ans: The speakers are in a park at the time of the conversation.

g. What is the effect of flashback in the play when Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo knew that they were lovers in the past?
Ans: Flashback is a dramatic device in which earlier events are inserted into the normal chronological flow of a narrative. Here in this play, flashback has played a very vital role to make this romantic comedy very interesting. When Don Gonzalo and Dona Laura knew that they were lovers in the past, their flashback stories started providing us with various events about their romantic youthful days. Their flashback has extended this play with varieties of hidden facts. Due to its usage, the play has got various concealing and revealing twists and fine climax. Both characters keep on using their flashback stories with various information which have made all the audiences pay attention and enjoy every single dialogue of the play. Flashback can be considered as the base of this humorous play.

h. Discuss how the play is built around humor and irony?
Ans:  The play is full of humour and irony which brings unique sensual pleasure to the readers. Even in the opening scene of the play, the play, there is a sense of humour. Don Gonzalo and Dona Laura’s reunion in the park is humorous due to their first dispute. Laura teases Gonzalo about her wish to have an empty seat all to himself in the Garden. In response, he’s furious with her because of what she did. There weren’t any other benches for him, so he had to sit on Laura’s. We couldn’t help but giggle at the ridiculousness of the scenario.

Similarly, irony is a literary device that is not the reality or expected. In their stories, there is an abundance of irony. They spread rumors about their own deaths in order to draw attention to themselves. But they are all aware of each other. Even though we realize it’s all just a deception, we enjoy and believe in the fabrication.

i. How is the tile ‘A Sunny Morning’ justifiable? Discuss.
Ans: Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo loved each other but circumstances separated them. They used to be active, romantic and lively which suits the atmosphere of sunny morning. But, they are inactive now. The wonderful memory of their youthful days make them forget their age and think that it is a sunny morning. Thus, the title ‘A Sunny Morning’ is justifiable for the play.

Reference beyond the text

a. What do you predict will happen in the next meeting between Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo? Discuss.
Ans: I predict that they will be much more excited in next meeting. They will talk and share their feelings through fake means this time too. Both of them will try to make each other happy. Don Gonzalo will certainly be much frank this time. He will try to show his respect towards her. The readers will get a chance to see their shyness. They will surely get much more fun through their pretentious acts.

b. Was it wise for Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo to keep their identities secret? How might their secrets affect future meetings?
Ans: Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo made the right decision by keeping their identities a secret from one another since it would allow them to freely express their emotions to one another. This is the greatest method to keep the connection going without revealing anyone’s identity. They cannot reveal their identities because they’re now physically weakened and bound by social ideals and obligations. Their existing responsibilities and experiences will restrict them from being open if their identity is revealed. Their mysteries can’t remain forever. If they continue to meet, the secrets will be progressively revealed. If they knew each other, they wouldn’t have any excuse to meet every day.