4.

ON THE FACE OF IT
By Susana Hill
 Mr. Lamb Welcomes Derry
- in his garden in spite of his jumping bumping over the wall
- tries to make him comfortable
- tells him to pick crab apples
- talks to him, without considering his disability
- Derry thinks, pretending not to be afraid of his burnt face
- tells usually people afraid of his face
- Mr. Lamb asks but doesn't probe
- tells Derry that he has a tin leg

 Mr. Lamb's advice to Derry

- tells that in Nature shapes differ but quality is the same
- no difference among the plants whether they are weeds, flowers
and others, all grow
- inside is important than outside
- accept yourself, not to fear others comments.
- calling Lamey-Lamb not bothers him
- life offers many more things
- isolation not good
- inspires to look at things positively

 Derry's reaction to Mr. Lamb's advice

- initially, very suspicious of Mr. Lamb
- never had anybody to talk to and understand
- not believe that he does not find him ugly
- later, fascinated by Mr. Lamb's talk
- motivated and attracted towards him

 Mr. Lamb
- an old man with a tin leg
- lives alone, lonely
- found ways to overcome his loneliness
- keeps his gate open
- never curtains his windows
- imagines kids and people walking all over
- spends time listening to the bees
- has a positive approach to life

 Derry's Transformation
- had bitter experience in the world
- tells Mr. Lamb about sarcastic comments about his looks
- Even his mother kisses on the other side of face
- not trust people and ignore their comments about his face
- sad that he will have only half a face
- Mr. Lamb's meeting changes his outlook towards life
- talks to Mr. Lamb about his likes, dislikes and fears
- wants to be loved and appreciated
- wants to break free from the stigma of being disabled
- his going back to Mr. Lamb's garden shows his changing attitude

Solved
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
Q1. Who is Derry? What self-opinion does he hold?
Derek, also called Derry was a young boy of 14. He was a quiet, shy and defiant boy. One
side of his
face was totally burnt by acid. He was a victim of inferiority complex.
Q2. How does Lamb try to remove the baseless fears of Derry?
Mr. Lamb influences Derry by his optimistic philosophy. He advised him not to give
attention on
other’s comments, try to be internally pure and strong and eliminate the negativity of
life.
Q3. What did Derry’s mothers think of Mr. Lamb?
OR
Why did Derry’s mother stop him, going to Mr. Lamb?
Derry’s mother does not hold a good opinion about Mr. Lamb. She has heard many
things about
the old man, therefore stops Derry to visit Mr. Lamb.
Q5. Why does Derry go back to Mr. Lamb in the end?
Actually Mr. Lamb has taught Derry, the most important lesson of life. He advises him
not to care
about the comments made by others. He now no longer cares about his burned face or
looks. He is
more concerned what he thinks and feels what he wants to hear and see. He knows if
does not go
back, he will never go back. Therefore he returns back.
Q6. Comment on the moral value of the play?
The moral of the play is very loud and clear. The physically disabled should focus on the
brighter
side of life and not to brood over the shortcomings. The society should accept them as
they are
and expand their social interactions .in this way they can fight out the loneliness,
depression and
disappointment.
Q7. Mr. Lamb says to Derry; ‘it’s all relative, beauty and the beast’, what essentially does
he mean
by that?
Mr. Lamb tells Derry that it all depends upon people’s individual perceptions. A thing is
a beauty
for one while that beauty may be a beast for others.
Extra questions for practice
1. What is the attitude of Mr. Lamb to the small boy who comes to the garden?
2.”I’m not afraid. People are afraid of me,” says Derry. What do people think on seeing
his
99
face? How do they react then?
3. Why does Lamb’s argument fail to console Derry?
4. What makes Derry think that the old man is always alone and miserable?
What does he tell the old man?
5. What argument does Derry give to convince his mother why he wants to go the old
man’s garden?
6. How does Mr. Lamb explain his concept of the world?
7. What does the author want to communicate through the incident of the
buzzing/humming of bees?
8. Do you think Mr. Lamb was equally lonely and dejected? Why / Why not?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q1. 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. What is the kind of
behavior that the person expects from others?
Value Points:
Actual pain or inconvenience caused by physical impairment is often less than the sense
of
alienation felt by the person with disabilities – Physical disabilities – caused pain once
in life time –
But after it this physical disability – set chain for other actions – caused mental agony –
-called Lamely lamb, mothers were afraid of sending the children because of his tin leg.
-Derry -burnt face –everyone pities him-only a mother could love that face -Both Mr.
Lamb and
Derry have been the victims of verbal atrocities – -Mr. Lamb takes comments lightly –
-But Derry does not have the attitude like Mr. Lamb – -Attitude of the people needs to be
changed -Do not want sympathy but accept them as they are -Wounds get healed –but
bitter
comments never forgotten leaves a scar

ASSIGNMENT
SET-1
QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE
1. What is the theme of the play? How has it been worked out?
2. Compare and contrast the characters of Mr. Lamb and Derry.
3. What is the bond that unites old Mr. Lamb and Derry the young boy? How does the
old
man inspire the small boy?
4. Comment on the appropriateness of the title.
5. The play is full of psychological revelations about the adolescent psyche. Discuss
Set-2
Short Answer Type Questions
Answer the following in 30-40 words each. (2 Marks each)
1. How does Derry enter the garden? What had he thought about it?
2. What had happened to Derry's face? How do people react when they
look at it?
3- What does Mr. Lamb say about weeds and flowers?
4- What did Mr. Lamb tell Derry about his handicap? Why did children call Mr.
Lamb;'Lamey Lamb'?
6. How does Mr; Lamb spend his time?
7. What did Derry overhear his parents talking about his future? How
did this affect him?
8. Why does Mr. Lamb advise Derry to stop having feelings of hatred
towards the people?
9. What attracts Derry to Mr. Lamb?
10. What did Derry hear the woman at the bus stop say about him?
11. How is Mr. Lamb's concept of a 'friend' different from that of
Derry's?
12. What according to Derry, would happen if Mr. Lamb continued his
friendship with him?
13. Why is Mr. Lamb not troubled by the people who stare at him?
14. Why were there no curtains in Mr. Lamb's house?
15. Why did Derry come back to Mr. Lamb's garden?
16. Why does Derry's mother object to his going to Mr. Lamb's house?
17. Give reasons to show that Derry is a changed person at the end of the
play.
18. 'The world's got a whole face ....." What does Mr. Lamb mean to
suggest to Derry with this remark.
Long Answer Type Questions
Answer the following in 125-150 words. (7 Marks each)
1. The play ends on a tragic note but reaffirms hope. Discuss with
reference to the text.
2. Despite his show of Bravado, Mr. Lamb is a lonely man. Do you
agree? Give a reasoned answer.
3. How is Mr. Lamb successful in infusing Derry with a zest for living?
4. Derry suffers from a sense of insecurity and alienation. Comment. 5. Compare
and contrast the characters of Derry and Mr. Lamb.
Value Based Questions : -
1. 'You think, ' Poor boy.' But I'm not.
Not poor. Underneath, you are afraid. Anybody would be. I am.
When I look in the mirror, and see it, I'm afraid of me......'
Derry is suffering loneliness and alienation not only because of his
poor self-image. Mr. Lamb instills feeling of self respect and selfimportance
in Derry. Reffering to the lesson On the Face of It and
your experience write an article in around 100 words on "
Importance of Self-Esteem."
2. "Why is one Green, growing plant called a weed and another flower?
Where is the difference. It's all life...... growing. Same as you and
me."
Every thing in this own place. It is our perception and attitude that
create uncomfortable differences.
Keeping the statement in view and referring to instances of the
lesson on the face of It' , write a speech in around 100 words on '
Positive attitude : A solution to All glis"