Vistas Vidyamandir Classes

IV. ON THE FACE OF IT

-Susan Hill

 “On the face of it” is an idiom. It is used when describing the way a situation appears,
while allowing for possibility that things may be different.

 That is, by surface appearance Derry is defined as a boy who has an acid burn on his
face, and Mr. Lamb having a tin leg. But what is important is how they are as a person
and the positive outlook they must have in their lives.
 This play emphasises on the fact that what we think of ourselves and how we improve our
perception is more important than an outsider’s judgment of us.
 Derry is looked down upon people as an ugly child. That is what he feels people think him
to be. He believes that people were either afraid of him or sympathize with him, because
when they talk to him, they avoid looking at his burned face.
 Derry’s mother is overly protective towards him. She doesn’t allow him to go out much.
She is scared for his future because of the scar. Instead of giving him confidence, she
constantly reminds him of his unfortunate image. Thus Derry, has turned out to be a
pessimistic, easily irritable and introvert boy.
 He says that he hates people. He has a pessimistic attitude towards life. He gets easily
angry and irritated. He finds every conversation as negative and threatening and as a
comment on his appearance.
Age of Derry : 14 years
Characteristics of Derry before he meets Mr. Lamb: He is:
1. Introvert 2. Defiant (aggressive)
3. Scared 4. Defensive
5. Indulges in self pity 6. Bitter
7. Suspects affection (even of his mother) 8. Pessimistic
9. Escapist

He believes that nobody loves him and will never become his friend. He feels that his
mother loves him and kisses him because she pities her son.

He has a negative outlook towards the world around him. For him the difficulties in life are
burdens. The weeds at the wall of the garden are rubbish for him. On the other hand, Mr.
Lamb equates these weeds to fruits and flowers since they both are living
things/ growing plants. He grows them as a weed grain.

Board Notes/English 74 Class XII

 Vidyamandir Classes Vistas

 Mr. Lamb: Also known as Lamey Lamb by the kids of the neighbourhood.
 His leg got blown up during war. Therefore he has a tin leg (artificial metal attachment).

 Characteristics of Mr. Lamb: He is :

1. Open minded 2. Courageous 3. Calm
4. Confident 5. Celebrates life 6. Loves people
7. Very welcoming 8. Optimistic 9. Positive

 He is the owner of the garden. He always keeps the gates open so that people can enter
the garden anytime they want.

 He lives in a house with no curtains. He doesn’t like shutting things up. He likes the
light and the darkness. He also keeps the windows open so that he could hear the
wind.

 He is fond of his crab apples and bees. He is close to nature and enjoys tending his
garden.

 He likes to watch, think and listen, observe the world around him.

 He has a positive outlook towards life. He says, that when people say bees buzz,
for him, the bees sing. Despite the physical deformity, he has a lively spirit. With this
conversation, he is able to influence Derry to think optimistically. It is not important
how you appear physically. What is essential is the way you think, react, and how you
are from the inside.

 He gives him courage to make his own choice and speak up to his mother. Derry becomes
more independent and breaks away from being over protected.

 Mr. Lamb gives a new definition of friendship. He says everybody is your friend.
Their name is an insignificant detail. It is not necessary to know that person’s details to be
his friend.

 Though he has always tried to be hopeful, he knows, that people who promise him that
they’ll come back, never do. Therefore he doesn’t expect Derry to return back.

 Derry for the first time had the strength to tell his mother, that people should not be judged
by their appearance, there is a lot more to them. Defying his mother’s instruction, he goes
back to the garden, only to find Mr. Lamb fallen from the ladder, on the ground.

 By the end of the play, we find Derry completely reformed. He is now :

Board Notes/English 75 Class XII

 Vistas Vidyamandir Classes

1. Optimistic : He believes he can lead his life better and change himself
2. Confident
3. Stand up to his mother
4. He wants to conquer the world
5. He has love for things outside his world :
 He wants to interact with Mr. Lamb.
 He wants his own house to lack curtains and have a beautiful garden.


IMPORTANT QUESTIONS BASED ON THE CHAPTER
1. Why does Derek want to go back home as soon as he comes face to face with Mr Lamb ?
2. Mention some incidences that highlight the positive outlook of Mr. Lamb towards life.
3. Why hasn’t Mr Lamb put curtains on his windows?
4. Why is one green, growing plant called a ‘weed’ and another ‘flower’ ? What does Mr Lamb mean by this
statement ?
5. Why does Mr Lamb narrate the story of a man who locked himself in a room because he was afraid ?
6. What does Mr Lamb do in his free time.
7. What condition does Derek put on his friendship with Mr Lamb ? What doubt does he have about this
friendship ? How does Mr Lamb dispel this doubt ?
8. What is Mr Lamb’s fear about Derek’s going back home ? What light does this throw on Mr Lamb’s life and
character ?
9. Why does Derek, at one point of the story, think that Mr Lamb is crazy ?
10. How does Mr Lamb’s conversation transform Derek ?
11. Why do you think Mr Lamb keeps the gates of the house and garden open ?
12. Do you find any wisdom in the statement, “blind people only ought to be with other blind people” ?
13. What concept of the world does Mr Lamb propound when Derek asks him if his old garden is a world ?
14. What makes Derek observe that, “... if I don’t go back there, I’ll never go anywhere in this world again” ?

Board Notes/English 76 Class XII