ON THE FACE OF IT

1.In the story ‘On the Face of It’, what brings

Derry and Mr.Lamb together as friends?
Ans: They talk about their personal experience
of being bothered/bullied for something they
have that is considered ugly by society.
Therefore, having a common experience that
feels unique to us can build a friendship.
They share their philosophy about life and how
people behave with one another. While their
perspectives do not always match, talking
about beliefs itself is something that can bring
people closer.
They challenge each other and do not behave in
a polite manner with each other. Being who we
really are and saying how we feel can build
meaningful connections.
2. How does Mr.Lamb try and convince Derry
that there is no essential difference between
them?
ANS: In the story, ‘On the Face of It’ by Susan
Hill, Mr.Lamb tries to convince Derry that there
is no essential difference between them by
engaging him in a conversation and finding
common ground. Mr.Lamb tells Derry that he,
too, has been Scarred in life and has faced
challenges. He talks about his own experience
of being burnt in a fire and how it changed his
life. Mr.Lamb also emphasizes the importance
of looking beyond the surface level and seeing
people for who they are on the inside. He tells
Derry that “everybody’s the same when you
come down to it, in their hearts and souls”.
Through this conversation with Derry and show
him that they are not so different after all.
3. What does the play’ On the Face of it’
suggest about the importance of empathy in
overcoming prejudice and stereotypes?
ANS: The play highlights the damaging effects
of prejudice and stereotypes on both the
victims and the perpetrator. However, it also
suggests that empathy and understanding can
overcome those barriers.
Through the development of a relationship
between the two characters Derry and Mr.Lamb,
we see how their initial assumptions about
each other are challenged and ultimately broken
down.
This underscores the importance of empathy in
recognizing and overcoming prejudices, as it
allows individuals to see beyond surface-level
differences and connect on a deeper level.
4. How did Mr.Lamb’s conversation and
company change Derry’s desire to isolate
himself from the world?
ANS: Mr.Lamb was a physically handicapped
man with tin leg. He lived alone but never
showed signs of kindness. Mr.Lamb was not
repulsed by Derry. He accepted Derry as he was
and never pitied him. Also, he didn’t react to
Derry’s rudeness. He did not force Derry to stay
and listen to him. But when he happened to
strike a conversation with Derry, he made him
realise that handicaps are not obstacles. He
opened the world to him. He highlighted Derr’s
strengths too. He shared his own life
experiences and motivated him by the story of
the Beauty and the Beast. He told him to wait,
watch and listen and never expected him to do
anything against his wish.
5. What made Derry extremely self-conscious?
ANS: Derry was a complex-ridden fourteen year
old boy. He was a victim of inferiority complex,
acute lack of self-regard and rejection after acid
accidentally spilled and burnt one side of his
face. His handicap filled him with bitterness
and so Derry suffered more on account of the
pain that his own views of how everyone hated
him, caused him extreme mental agony. He did
not like being with people because they
constantly reminded him of his ugliness and so
he stayed away from them. He felt he was too
ugly to be liked and loved by anyone. So he
became a recluse.
6. Derry says,” I am not afraid…..People are
afraid of me.” Why does he make this comment
about himself?
ANS: He made this comment about himself
because when people looked at his burnt face,
they kept staring at him. They often reacted as
if they were afraid of him. Some of them pitied
him and cajoled him by saying sympathetic
words.
7. Why did Mr.Lamb leave the gate of his house
always open?
ANS: Mr.Lamb always kept the gate of his
house open because he always wanted visitors
to come to his house. Mr.Lamb resided alone in
a big house and that’s why he wanted a
companion. He left the gates open so that
visitors didn’t turn away watching the gates
closed.
8. It is not merely age but experience that
counts. With reference to any one example
from the text, comment on how Derry found
Mr.Lamb different from other adults he had
encountered.
ANS: Derry tries to avoid meeting people
because
they consider his face frightful and ugly. They
avoid him as they are afraid of him. His parents
seem worried about him and talk about him and
his future. Mr.Lamb provides him a new
approach to things. He tells him to see, hear
and and feel and think about things around him.
He should not hate others. Hatred is worse than
acid because it burns the inside. He has all the
God-given limbs. He must take a firm decision
and work towards it. He will surely succeed. He
should not be afraid of people and they will not
be afraid of him. All these factors draw Derry
towards Mr.Lamb.
9. Do you think Derry’s mother is protective of
him? Justify your opinion with textual evidence.
ANS: Derry’s mother is given little
characterization in the play but she seems
simultaneously overprotective and not
understanding her son. She contributes to his
isolation by keeping him home because of his
injury and treats him with a sense of pity that
robs him with of dignity and treating him like a
perpetually helpless victim. In the play, Derry’s
mother forbids him from returning to Mr.Lamb’s
house, but Derry leaves anyway, finally
asserting himself in a positive way.
10. Why did Derry go back to Mr.Lamb’s garden
even after opposition?
ANS: Mr.Lamb had inspired Derry to overcome
his disability by adopting an optimistic outlook
on life. Mr.Lamb’s teachings and advice
impacted Derry to travel the path showed by
him and thus he returned to Mr.Lamb.
11. Why does Derry’s mother not want him to
go back to Mr.Lamb?
ANS: Derry’s mother stops him from visiting
Mr.Lamb again because of her concern for his
safety and well-being. She doesn’t want him to
take any risks by allowing him to stay with a
stranger, whom she doesn’t know or trust. Her
decision is a reflection of her motherly instincts
and her desire to protect her child.
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
1. Mr.Lamb stands as a symbol of optimism
and hope. Support your answer with examples
from the text.
ANS: In the story,’On the Face of It’, Mr.Lamb
represents a symbol of optimism and hope. He
constantly tries to convince Derry that there is
no essential difference between them and that
they are both human beings with the same
potential for goodness. Mr.Lamb’s optimistic
outlook on life is evident when he says,” The
Sun’s shining now, and that’s a good sign,
despite being held captive by the enemy during
the war. Mr.Lamb’s hope for a better future is
also evident in his conversation with Derry
about the potential for peace and
understanding between people of different
between people of different backgrounds. He
believes that by getting to know each other,
people can overcome their differences and live
together in harmony. This hope is reflected in
his statement,” The day will come when they’ll
find out that it’s easier to be together than to
fight each other”.Furthermore, Mr.Lamb’s
attitude towards life is a symbol of hope and
optimism. He doesn’t let his circumstances get
him down and always looks for the good in
every situation. He is hopeful that Derry will
eventually come around and see things from his
perspective and his positive attitude towards
Derry even in the face of his hostility is a
testament to his unwavering hope for a better
future. In summary, Mr.Lamb’s character
represents a symbol of hope and optimism in
the story. His unwavering faith in humanity and
his hope for a better future are evident
throughout the story and serve as an example
of how one can maintain a positive attitude
even in the face of adversity.
2. Derry has chosen to address the school
assembly on the World Inclusion Day, using one
of Mr.Lamb’s quotes-why is one green, growing
plant called a weed and another flower?’
Imagine you are Derry and write the speech
draft.
ANS: Respected Principal, esteemed faculty
members and my dear fellow students.
Today, on the occasion of World Inclusion Day, I
stand before you with a quote from someone
who meant a great deal to me, Mr.Lamb. He
once asked,”Why is one green, growing plant
called a weed and another ‘flower’?” I am sure
you feel it’s a seemingly simple question, but let
me tell you, this question holds a profound
meaning.
Mr.Lamb, unlike anyone I’ve never encountered,
didn’t flinch or show fear when he looked at me.
It was refreshing to talk to someone who
treated me just like anyone else, without
judgment or sympathy for my burns. The world
we live in labels and judges us based on their
differences and catagorises us as either
desirable or undesirable, a flower or a weed. But
they forget that every individual is unique just
like every plant in a garden has its own
distinctive beauty, strength and purpose. Just
as a garden thrives with diverse flora, our
society also has a diverse range of individuals
with different race, colour, creed or looks. The
diversity of the garden enriches its beauty. Yet,
we often witness exclusion, prejudice and
marginalization amongst each other. We need
to challenge this limited perspective and
embrace the concept of inclusion, making sure
that every individual is valued and celebrated
for their unique qualities and contributions. We
must understand that weeds too can bloom and
flourish if given the love, care and right
environment. Let us all strive to build the bridge
of understanding and acceptance and sow
seeds of a more inclusive and compassionate
world.
Mr. Lamb opened my eyes to the idea that
despite my appearance, I’m no different from
others. His analogy of flowers and weeds being
the same regardless of their looks really hit him.
He showed me the importance of self-
acceptance, teaching me that it’s vital to be
comfortable in my own skin. Through his words,
I learnt how to deflect the hurtful comment and
opinions of others, understanding that they
don’t define me. Mr.Lamb inspired me to
embrace life without reservation, to live it to the
fullest, no matter the changes.
3. Justify the appropriateness of the title of the
lesson,’on the Face of it’.
ANS: According to the dictionary, ‘On the face
of it’ is an informal expression used to say that
something seems to be good or true, but this
opinion may be changed when we know more
about it. This definition of the expression
should leave us in no doubt about the
appropriateness of the title. An individual may
be quite different from what we think of him or
she may apparently appear to be at the first
glance. There is an imperative need for us to
view others by removing our glasses of
prejudice, hatred and dislike. In this lesson,
Mr.Lamb appears to be mysterious, lonely, lame
and old fellow who lives in a neighbourhood
house with a huge garden, but in reality he is
very kind, generous, loving and altruistic.
Similarly, although Derry has an ugly looking
scary face, he is a fine lad of fourteen with a
deep longingness for love. There is nothing
wrong with Mr.Lamb and Derry. What is wrong
is the way people in their lives and around view
them and treat them. In the story, there is so
much of diversity, so many differences and
divisions between the people and the other
species of the world but underneath is oneness,
sameness-all of them are created by God and
all of them need to live and grow together with
love and mutual acceptance. As the play
progresses, the characters’ views about each
other, and our impression of them changes for
the better. Thus, Susan Hill has quite
appropriately entitled her play ‘On the Face of It’.
4. Mr.Lamb calls Derry his friend while Derry
refuses his affirmation. Would you consider
their relationship with each other as friendship?
Support your answer with references to the
instances from the text.
ANS: Derry was a small boy who had a burnt
face due to acid. He was very withdrawn and
defiant. He used to run away from the world as
he hated others staring at him. He thought
people are afraid of his infirmity. Similarly,
Mr.Lamb too was a handicapped person. He
had lost one leg in a bomb explosion during war
years ago. He lived alone in this world.
The two of them have a vacuum in their hearts
for not having company. Mr.Lamb is full of
positive energy. When Derry met him, he found
himself drawn towards Mr.Lamb. Mr.Lamp
happened to be the only one who gave him a
new line of thought about his physical infirmity.
Thus they both shared a bond that united the
two of them.
5. The play’ On the Face of it’ depicts the
unusual behaviour of the people towards the
physically disabled, which makes them feel
lonely. Comment.
ANS: The lesson ‘On the Face of it’ aptly depicts
the loneliness and sense of alienation
experienced by Derry and Mr.Lamb on account
of disability. The actual pain and inconvenience
caused by the disabilities is often lesser than
than the sense of alienation felt by the disabled
person. Derry suffered from severe negative
complex because of his acid face. He became a
pessimistic loner who indulged in self-pity and
was always suspicious of the intention of
others. His anger and frustration made him
withdrawn and an introvert. Mr.Lamb on the
other hand, was inwardly a loner who craved for
company and acceptance. Though ourwardly he
was always jovial, outgoing and optimistic, he
was an extremely sensitive person. Derry and
Mr.Lamb’s physical disabilities caused pain and
suffering not only in their body but also to their
mind and soul.
6.Compare and contrast the characters of
Mr.Lamb and Derry .
Ans: Both Mr.Lamb and Derry suffered from
problems. Mr.Lamb had a tin leg whereas Derry
had a burnt face. But both of them differ in their
attitude towards handling their problems.
Mr.Lamb is very positive in his outlook. He sees
the beauty in everything, including weeds. He
doesn’t let physical handicap prevent him from
living life to the fullest. He is very friendly,
opened his doors to the world as he thinks that
the world and people are important. Moreover
he is strong and doesn’t let people’s negative
comments hurt him. He also shows
understanding of Derry’s problems. On the
contrary, Derry is scared of meeting people as
he hates seeing their fear of him and facing
their rejection. He is too sensitive and people’s
comment hurt him deeply. He becomes upset
due to his parents’ over-protectiveness and
mother’s repulsion for his burnt face. He is
defiant and rude and doesn’t talk to people. He
hates himself. He indulges in self-pity over his
burnt face but he has inner deep desire to be
accepted which he hides under an abrasive
exterior. However, he changes at the end after
listening to Mr.Lamb and becomes ready to
face the world and overcomes obstacles to do
so. Eventually he finds courage and strength to
get what he wants.
7. Sketch the character of Mr.Lamb.
ANS: The character of Mr.Lamb exemplifies the
profound impact of optimism in navigating life’s
challenges. Through his portrayal, the narrative
vividly demonstrates how positive attitude can
empower individuals face adversity with
resilience and grace. He stands as a beacon of
hope and inspiration.
PHYSICAL HANDICAP AND POSITIVE
ATTITUDE:
Despite his physical disabilities he radiates
optimism. He defies his physical limitations and
doesn’t allow them to define his outlook in life.
UNDERSTANDING AND EMPATHY:
His understanding and empathy for Derry stem
from his own experiences. He creates a safe
space for Derry fostering asense of belonging
and acceptance.
FRIENDLY AND CONFIDANCE BUILDING: His
friendly demeanour helps Derry shed his
inhibitions. Through his conversations he
instills confidence in Derry by treating him as an
equal showing that one’s work isn’t dictated by
appearances.
EXAMPLES FROM THE TEXT:
BEES AND WEEDS ANALOGY: Mr.Lamb’s
analogy of bees and weeds In the garden
conveys the essence of his optimism. He
teaches Derry that just as flowers and weeds
share the same core, people’s true worth isn’t
skin deep.
FACING MORTALITY: Mr.Lamb’s fearless
perspective on death reveals his positive
outlook on life. His discussion with Derry about
the inability of death underscores his courage
and acceptance.
DEALING WITH MOCKERY: His response to
children calling ‘Lamey Lamb’ reflects his
unwavering resolve. He maintains his dignity
and doesn’t allow derogatory comments to
affect him.
SYMBOLISM OF CURTAINS: The curtains of his
house symbolize his openness and willingness
to engage with the world despite his physical
limitations.
ATTITUDE OF PATIENCE: His mantra of
“waiting, watching, listening epitomizes his
patient and optimistic approach to life’s
challenges.
In conclusion, Mr.Lamb’s character reveal the
undeniable truth that optimism shapes one’s
perspective and aids in navigating challenges.
His unwavering positivity, understanding and
ability to see the inherent worth in individuals,
regardless of appearances is praiseworthy.
6.