ON THE FACE OF IT

LESSON OBJECTIVES
Justify the appropriateness of the title
Discuss the theme of disability explored in the play
Compare and contrast Mr. Lamb and Derry

‘‘Things that matter. Things nobody else has ever said. Things I want to think about.’’ What are the ‘things’ that Derry
is referring to? How did Derry’s chance meeting with Mr. Lamb prove meaningful for him?

How did Mr. Lamb transform Derry’s life?

 Derry withdrawn and defiant because of his burnt face

 hated others staring at his face – afraid of his ugly looks
 positively affected by the outlook of Mr. Lamb and his zest for life
 Lamb made him realize that handsome is what handsome does
 made him see the beauty in nature
 God has made both ugly and beautiful things. It is one’s own perception to look at the things. e.g. weed garden,
singing of bees etc.
 beauty is a relative opinion / perception
 one should not believe what one hears/ watch, listen and think for oneself.
 one must not hate people. Hatred is more harmful than acid
 people may look similar, but they are unique
 gets inspiration from Mr. Lamb to live life as it comes
 Mr. Lamb guided him how to handle the handicap and loneliness
 learns that physical handicap has nothing to do with mental strength and positive attitude towards life
 Derry’s statements reflect the change in his thinking after meeting Mr. Lamb
 Any other relevant point

Explain the relevance of the title.

 ‘On the Face of It’ is an informal expression that describes how a situation seems on the surface, and how our
opinion may have to be changed when we know more about it.
 We all make assumptions about people which may have to be revised after we know more about them. Mr
Lamb, who is seemingly a cheerful man is actually a very lonely person. The society has branded him as an
eccentric, scary and lame old fellow; but in reality, he is a kind, loving and generous person.
 Similarly, Derry, with his scarred and scary looking face is a sensitive young boy with a deep longing for love.
Over the years, people’s insensitive response to his disability has filled him with anger and bitterness and
alienated him from the society.

The Ending of the play

 The ending of the play is quite dramatic and tragic; however, it does not spread gloom. Mr. Lamb makes his exit
after accomplishing his mission. His mission is clearly going to be continued by a much younger champion, Derry.
 Derry is now a changed person, inspired to look at the unique and beautiful world around him by watching,
thinking and listening, just like his mentor. In this sense, the ending is very effective and meaningful.
REVISION QUESTIONS

It is more often people’s inability to cope with disabled people than the disability itself that alienates them.
The actual pain or inconvenience caused by a physical impairment is often much less than the sense of alienation felt
by the person with disabilities.
How is this true in Derry’s case?

‘On the Face of It’ deals with the grimly sad world of the physically impaired and the sense of alienation they experience
in society. People’s insensitive comments and reactions cause deep hurt and alienates the physically impaired. Able
people’s ignorance about the challenges of the disabled deepens the hurt and alienation. Moreover, society’s
assumptions about what is good for the disabled will only promote the continuing cycle of isolation they experience. As
in Derry’s case, he misunderstands people’s pity and concern as they don’t know how to express them. The play conveys
the message that the physically impaired must be integrated into the mainstream society. The play also looks at the
need to look beyond one’s disabilities. Wallowing in self-pity will only led to negativity as in the case of Derry. The play
highlights how one can stay positive despite disability and alienation through Mr. Lamb. People’s attitude to physically
impaired people are often coloured by ignorance, indifference and prejudices. This attitude will have to be changed
based on better insights into people’s nature.

What impression do you form about Derry?

Derry, a boy of 14, is both physically and emotionally scarred. One half of his face was burned with acid and people react
to his face with fear and distaste.
Over the years, people’s insensitive reaction to his burned face has filled him with anger and bitterness and alienated
him from the society. He develops a cynical attitude to deal with it and rejects all attempts by people to reach out to
him.
At the time of his encounter with Mr. Lamb, Derry thinks of his life only in terms of his disfigurement and the world’s
reaction to it. However, during his interaction with Mr. Lamb, we see that he is able revise his vision of life.
Under Mr Lamb’s gentle guidance, he wakes up to the healing effect of nature and is able to let go of his bitterness. This
transformation is evident in the conversation with his mother. He is finally able to say that he doesn’t care about how
his face looks. What is important is what he thinks, feels, and sees.

Mr. Lamb’s positivity

Mr Lamb was a lonely, but cheerful old man who found solace in his garden. He had lost his leg years back and his
disability alienated him from the society. He lived alone in his house and spent his time tending to his crab apples, bees
and generally, just watching, thinking and listening. He made an effort to befriend people by leaving the door open and
the window curtainless.
But despite his claim to Derry, not many people came by and he was called Lamey-Lamb by the kids. When Derry
promised to come back, he told himself that no one came back and this gives us a sense of his loneliness.
However, unlike Derry, he did not complain about how the world treated him. He found company in the world around
him; years of isolation from society did not make him bitter and he remained thankful for the occasional visitors.
It is this positive nature that gives him the power to help Derry. His tactful handling, gentle suggestions and insightful
questions make Derry shed his negativity and respond to the world in a positive manner.

The lesson ‘On the Face of It’ aptly depicts the loneliness and sense of alienation experienced by Derry and Mr. Lamb
on account of a disability. Explain.
Derry suffered from severe negative complexes because of his burnt 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
outwardly 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 to their body but also to their mind
and soul.
What is the bond that unites Derry and Mr. Lamb?
The bond that unites Mr. Lamb and Derry is the loneliness and alienation they experience on account of their physical
disabilities. Mr. Lamb lost a leg in the war and has a tin leg while Derry has an acid bum on one cheek which gives him an
ugly appearance. The actual pain and inconvenience caused by a disability is often much less than the sense of
estrangement felt by a disabled person. But, unlike Derry, Mr. Lamb always maintains a positive attitude towards life
and is a downright extrovert. Mr. Lamb inspires Derry by telling him not to focus on the shortcomings of life and his
handicap and instead he should try to enjoy the blessings of life. He tells him to be thankful to God for a healthy body
and advises him to be friendly with everyone around him. Mr. Lamb’s words of wisdom inspire Derry and towards the
end of the story we see him rushing back to Mr. Lamb’s garden to adopt the attitude and path that have been shown by
him. Derry’s long conversation with Mr. Lamb helps him overcome his inferiority complex and poor self-esteem.

Your role in bringing about a change in society’s attitude towards the differently abled.
As a responsible citizen, it is my responsibility towards society to understand and support people with infirmities. I will
always try to be supportive and considerate towards them. I will treat them as equals and encourage them to take part
in all activities. It will be my endeavour to ensure that they do not suffer from a sense of alienation and I will also
advocate inclusive education for them. Campaigning for their social acceptance, I will raise hope and encouragement for
their empowerment. It is the duty of each one of us to bring about a change in the lives of people who are physically
impaired and lonely.

How does Mr. Lamb motivate Derry?

Derry, a complex-stricken lad of fourteen, is a victim of inferiority complex which is borne out of a misinterpretation of
himself and the world. He suffers from an acute sense of self-hatred and rejection due to his burnt face and this leads
him to total alienation. Mr. Lamb too has a disability, a tin leg, but he never allows his handicap to interfere with the
pace and pleasure of his life. Mr. Lamb’s meeting with Derry brings a turning point in the latter’s life. He gives Derry
confidence and persuades him to develop a positive attitude towards life. His message to Derry is very clear. Alienation
and withdrawal is not the solution. Derry believes in running away from people, but Mr. Lamb lives among people.
Derry’s brief association with Mr. Lamb proves to be quite rewarding. Mr. Lamb teaches him a new perspective of
looking at life, people and things. Derry decides never to get back to his old seclusion. His burnt face will no longer
interfere with his self- respect, poise and confidence. He will gradually learn to find his place in the mainstream of life.
Mr. Lamb helps Derry rediscover himself and gives a new meaning to his life. Now Derry wants to leave his handicap
behind, forge ahead in life and live life to the fullest