CBSE Class 12 English On the Face of It Notes Set 04

About the Author

Susan Elizabeth HiLL (1942-Present) is a critically acclaimed English novelist and short-story writer whose production first reached its peak in the late 1960's and early 1970's. She has authored numerous novels, collections of short stories, non-fiction and children's fiction as well as a respected reviewer, critic, broadcaster and editor. Her simply drawn novels examine the lives of small, sometimes eccentric people, who look for life and warmth in their often icy and sterile lives.

On the Face of It

Chapter Sketch

The play ‘On the Face of It’ beautifully yet grimly depicts the sad world of the physically impaired. It is not the actual pain or inconvenience caused by a physical impairment that trouble a disabled man but the attitude of the people around him. The story centers around two physically impaired people, Mr. Lamb with a tin leg and Derry with a burnt face, who strike a band of friendship. The play covers theory conversation and how Mr. Lamb is able to change Derry perspective and make him hopeful.

About the Characters

• Mr. Lamb: He is an old cripple who enjoys life despite his handicap.
• Derry: He is a 14 year old boy with one side of his face disfigured in an accident. Reclusive at first, he learns how to live from Mr. Lamb.
• Derry’s Mother: She seems to be a loving mother. However, her over-protectiveness curbs Derry’s freedom and joys.
• Other people: These are people who make rude comments on Derry’s burnt face. They represent the apathetic nature of common masses to those impaired.

Summary of the Chapter

Mr. Lamb’s Garden

The play begins in Mr. Lamb’s garden. Derry enters the garden and walks slowly, thinking nobody is there. However, he is shocked when Mr. Lamb’s warns Derry to not trip up on the crab apples. Derry tries to justify himself and but Mr. Lamb puts his fears at rest. He assures Derry that everyone is welcome in his garden. This angers Derry who replies that he is not afraid but people are afraid of him. He adds that he himself is afraid of himself because one side of his face got burnt as acid fell on it.

Philosophy of Perception

Mr. Lamb changes the subject, angering Derry more. He tells Mr. Lamb that he has changed the subject because he is also afraid of his burnt face just like other people. Mr. Lamb tells him to talk about it, but Derry has become upset. Derry is conhised at Mr. Lamb’s indifference and asks him if he is not interested in him. Mr. Lamb replies that he is interested in everybody. Then, he presents his first philosophy. He tells Derry that one plant is called a weed and the other a flowers because of perception.

Mr. Lamb’s Impairment

Mr. Lamb tells Derry that one of his legs got blown off in a war and when he goes out, some kids call him ‘Lamey-Lamb’. This doesn’t bother him as he thinks that such a name suits him. To this, Derry says that Mr. Lamb could cover his tin leg with his trousers, and none would notice it or stare. But Derry could not cover his face. Mr. Lamb reminds Derry of the tale of Beauty and the Beast to further his philosophy of perception.

However, Derry is filled with bitterness. He says that his face will always remain the same and that no one will kiss him. Only his mother kisses him on the other side of his face Mr. Lamb tries to reason with him, telling him to notice the beautiful things in the world and not care about his face.

Philosophy about Life

Derry narrates an incident where in he had heard two women talk mean things about his face. He is very hurt and calls it cruel. Mr. Lamb advises him not to believe everything that he hears. Hearing this, Derry thinks that Mr. Lamb is ‘peculiar’. He further tells him that he came in the garden because he liked it. But he doesn’t like being near people.

Mr. Lamb starts telling him a story about a man who locked himself inside a room as he was afraid to die. However, the man died because a picture fell off the wall on his head. Through this story, Mr. Lamb wanted to show Derry that one cannot hide oneself or shun society just because of some fear. One should enjoy life as it comes.

Derry is not Lost

Derry notices that there are no curtains on the windows of Mr. Lamb’s house. Mr. Lamb replies that he is not fond of curtains and he likes to see the nature. Derry says that he likes to hear the rain falling on the roof. Hearing this, Mr. Lamb realises that Derry can become optimistic.

Insignificance of Name

Derry tells Mr. Lamb that even his family pities him. They feel that it would be difficult for him to get on in this world with a face like that. Mr. Lamb shows him that he can live his life easily like others do. When Derry asks Mr. Lamb if he has any friends, the old man tells him that everyone is his friend, even Derry. Derry is confused as Mr. Lamb doesn’t even know his name. Mr. Lamb explains that names don’t signify anything. To him, being friends doesn’t mean that you should know all the details about a person. At this point, Derry chooses to tell him his name. He says it’s Derek, but he wants to be called ‘Derry’ only.

‘Watching, Listening, Thinking’

When Derry tells Mr. Lamb that he hates some people, the old man replies that hatred is more dangerous than the acid that burned his face. Derry narrates another incident about the time when he returned home after the accident. He heard someone say that he’d have been better in the hospital with others ‘like him’. Mr. Lamb contradicts it which leaves Derry amazed. When he asks Mr. Lamb how he understands all these things, Mr. Lamb replies, ‘Watching, listening, thinking’.

Becoming Derry’s Friend

Mr. Lamb tells Derry that he can come and go in his house as he wishes. Derry tells Mr. Lamb that his friends would run away at seeing Derry’s face. Mr. Lamb tells him that it is a ‘risk’ he has to take. He wants Derry to understand that he has to come out of his shell and shed his bitterness if he wants to live life to the fullest.

Transforming Derry

When Derry asks Mr. Lamb how he is going to get the apples down, Mr. Lamb assures him that over the years he has learned to deal with his handicap. Derry says that he could help him, but his mother won't allow him to come out once he gets home.

Mr. Lamb tells Derry that it is not Derry’s mother but Derry’s bitterness and hesitation that won’t let him go out. Derry tries to give a reason but Mr. Lamb tells Derry that he could do anything if he chooses to. The power of choosing what one wants lies in one’s own hands.

A small altercation takes place between them. Mr. Lamb says that Derry doesn’t have the guts to fight the odds. His burnt face is just an excuse. Derry becomes infuriated and mocks the tin leg of Mr. Lamb. He promises to return to the garden.

Derry Chooses Himself

The second scene begins in Derry’s house. He is fighting with his mother because he wants to return to Mr. Lamb, and his mother is not allowing him to go. She believes that Mr. Lamb is a strange man. But Derry insists that he wants to go as he wants to talk to Mr. Lamb about things which matter to him. His mother tells him to stay but Derry tells her that he hates it. His mother simply tells him that he is bound to say such awful things because of his face. Derry strongly replies that he doesn’t care about his face anymore.

Derry is a Changed Person

The final scene shifts to the garden again. Derry reaches the garden to find Mr. Lamb lying on the ground. He has been trying to pick the apples off the tree when the ladder has slipped and he, alongwith it, has fallen on the ground. Derry tries to awaken him, but Mr. Lamb is probably dead. Derry has lost his only friend and he begins to cry. Mr. Lamb was able to do what he has been trying; he has taught Derry how to live.

Word-Meaning

• crab apples — small wild apples with a sharp pungent taste
• windfalls — fruits blown down from a tree or bush by the wind
• scrump — steal (fruit) from an orchard or garden
• jelly — a sweet or dessert made from fruits
• give (me) a hand — help, assist
• stuff — worthless matter
• blown off — separated by a blow
• lamey — a nickname for a lame person
• monstrous — frightening
• daft — crazy, foolish
• dribble — to let saliva drip from the mouth
• humm/hum — make a continuous murmuring sound
• filing box — a box for keeping documents or files in order
• make (all that) out — understand
• thumping — falling down with a loud, dull sound
• swishes — moves with a hissing sound

Important Themes of the Chapter

The Power of Human Connection and Empathy The central theme of ‘On the Face of It’ revolves around human connection, empathy, and understanding in overcoming prejudice, isolation, and adversity. The play delves into the unlikely friendship between Derry, a young boy with a disfigured face, and Mr. Lamb, an elderly man with a prosthetic leg, who meet in Mr. Lamb’s garden. Despite societal judgements and personal insecurities, Derry and Mr. Lamb form a bond based on mutual acceptance, empathy, and companionship. Through their interactions, the play explores themes of compassion, resilience, the impact of physical appearance on social interactions, and the importance of finding solace and understanding in human relationships. ‘On the Face of It’ suggests that genuine connections can transcend external differences and provide healing and emotional support in adversity.