The Fan A comedy in three acts

Scene IV.

by Carlo Goldoni

[Evarist and Susanna come out of the shop.]

[(Candida) watches (Evarist) from the back of the terrace.]

Susanna. Do not complain, sir, the fan is cheap.

Evarist. I am sorry that the fan is not more beautiful.

Susanna. That was the last of those of the first quality. Now my shop is emptied. [Smiling.] I suppose it is a present?

Evarist. Certainly. I do not buy fans for myself.

Susanna. For Signorina Candida, because hers broke?

Evarist. [Impatiently.] No; for some one else.

Susanna. All right, all right. I am not curious.

Candida. He has great secrets with the draper. I am curious to hear some details. [Approaches to the front.]

Evarist. [Approaching Nina.] Nina!

Nina. Your wishes, sir?

Evarist. A favour. I know Signorina Candida loves you.

Nina. Yes, she has pity on the poor orphan. But alas! I am subjected to my brother, who embitters my life.

Evarist. Listen to me.

Nina. [Spinning on.] Spinning does not make me deaf.

Evarist. [To himself.] Her brother is full of whims, but neither does she seem free of them.

Candida. Business with the shopwoman; business with Nina. I do not understand. [Comes forward yet more.]

Evarist. May I ask you a favour?

Nina. Have I not already answered you? Have I not told you to command? I am not deaf. If my spindle disturbs you, I will throw it aside. [Does so.]

Evarist. But how impetuous!

Candida. What does her anger signify?

Nina. I am at your orders.

Evarist. You know that Signorina Candida broke her fan?

Nina. Why, certainly.

Evarist. I have bought a new one at the shop.

Nina. As you please.

Evarist. But Signora Geltrude must not know.

Nina. There you do wisely.

Evarist. And I wish that you should give her the fan secretly.

Nina. I cannot serve you.

Evarist. How unkind of you!

Candida. [To herself.] He told me he was going shooting, and he is still here.

Evarist. Why will you not do me this favour?

Nina. Because I want to know nothing about this matter.

Evarist. You take the matter too seriously. Candida loves you so much.

Nina. True, but in such matters—

Evarist. You told me you wanted to marry Crispino.

Candida. They are discussing important secrets.

Nina. If you want nothing else of me, I will go on spinning. [Does so.]

Evarist. But listen, do! Candida has begged me to give you a dowry that you may wed your Crispino.

Nina. [Suddenly grows friendly.] Really?

Evarist. Yes; and I gave her my word that I would do all—

Nina. Where is the fan?

Evarist. Here.

Nina. Quick, quick, give it to me, but so that no one sees.

[Evarist gives her the fan.]

Question 1
Part A

What is a theme of The Fan?

People should mind their own business.

It is always good to help out a friend.

Some people cannot be trusted with secrets.

The truth almost always reveals itself.

Question 2
Part B

Which line from the text best shows how the characters develop the theme in Part A?

"Candida. He told me he was going shooting, and he is still here."

"Nina. Because I want to know nothing about this matter."

"Evarist. And I wish that you