Class XII, Vistas, Drama, On The face of It

 

Vistas

Prose 5

On The Face of It

Introduction:

"On the Face of It," a play by Susan Hill, explores the unlikely friendship between two characters, Mr. Lamb, an elderly man with a tin leg, and Derry, a young boy with severe facial scarring. The play delves into the emotional struggles of both characters, addressing issues of isolation, fear, and prejudice. Through their interaction, the play highlights the impact of physical disabilities on one’s self-esteem and how personal connections can transform perspectives on life.

Theme:

The central theme of "On the Face of It" revolves around appearance versus reality. The play challenges social prejudices and emphasizes that outward appearances often mask inner qualities. It also explores themes of loneliness, fear of rejection, and the healing power of friendship. Mr. Lamb, with his optimistic outlook on life despite his disability, serves as a counterpoint to Derry’s initial pessimism, teaching him to embrace life with courage and hope.  Embarrass

Summary

"On the Face of It" by Susan Hill is a poignant play that focuses on the encounter between two characters who are both physically impaired but respond to their situations in different ways. Mr. Lamb, an elderly man with a prosthetic leg, and Derry, a fourteen-year-old boy with severe facial scarring from an acid burn, form an unlikely bond through a chance meeting in Mr. Lamb’s garden.

At the beginning of the play, Derry is portrayed as a bitter and withdrawn boy who has internalized the negative judgments of others regarding his appearance. He believes people are repulsed by him and, as a result, isolates himself from society, convinced that his life holds no value. He fears that he will always be judged by his scars and is pessimistic about his future. His attitude reflects the deep emotional scars left by his injury, as well as the impact of constant social alienation.

Mr. Lamb, on the other hand, is optimistic despite his own disability—he lost one of his legs in the war and now wears a tin leg. He lives alone but chooses not to be defined by his isolation or his disability. He spends time in his garden, appreciating the beauty of the natural world and believing that life should be embraced rather than avoided. Unlike Derry, Mr. Lamb has found a way to accept his physical limitations and even uses his positive outlook to engage with others, sharing stories and welcoming visitors into his home.

As the two characters interact, Mr. Lamb tries to instill in Derry the belief that his life can be full of possibilities regardless of his scars. He tells Derry stories and encourages him to look beyond physical appearances, emphasizing that what truly matters is the kind of person one is on the inside. Mr. Lamb challenges Derry’s perceptions, offering solace and wisdom, and helping him understand that withdrawing from life due to fear of rejection only leads to further isolation.

The play highlights the psychological challenges both characters face, particularly Derry, who has grown to resent his own appearance and the attitudes of others towards him. Through their conversation, Mr. Lamb succeeds in opening Derry’s mind to the idea that he should not allow his appearance to dictate his happiness. He tries to remove Derry’s baseless fears, teaching him that true freedom comes from within and that one should not live a life defined by fear or judgment.

 

By the end of the play, Derry’s outlook begins to shift, and he expresses a desire to return to Mr. Lamb's garden to continue their conversation. However, the play ends on a tragic note when Derry returns to find that Mr. Lamb has fallen from a ladder and died. This ending leaves Derry standing alone in the garden, symbolizing the fragility of life and the urgency of seizing the opportunities that come our way, before it's too late.

Overall, "On the Face of It" serves as a profound exploration of human emotions, prejudice, and the healing power of friendship. The play portrays the stark contrast between Derry's pessimism and Mr. Lamb's optimism, illustrating how compassion and understanding can help individuals rise above their circumstances.

Answer the following questions

1. Who is Mr. Lamb? How does Derry get into his garden?

Ans: Mr. Lamb is an elderly man with a prosthetic leg who lives alone and enjoys tending to his garden. Derry, a boy with a scarred face, accidentally wanders into Mr. Lamb’s garden while trying to avoid people. He initially enters by climbing over the wall.

2. Do you think all this will change Derry’s attitude towards Mr. Lamb? 

Ans: Yes, Mr. Lamb’s positivity and wisdom change Derry’s attitude. Initially skeptical, Derry begins to see the value in Mr. Lamb's philosophy of life. Their interaction helps Derry challenge his negative self-perception, making him appreciate Mr. Lamb's guidance and outlook on life.

Answer the following questions

1. What is it that draws Derry towards Mr. Lamb in spite of himself?

Ans: Derry is initially drawn towards Mr. Lamb because of the older man’s open-mindedness and non-judgmental attitude. Unlike others who recoil from Derry's scarred face or treat him with pity, Mr. Lamb speaks to him like a normal person, which intrigues Derry. Mr. Lamb’s ability to see beyond physical appearances and his calm acceptance of his own disability offer Derry a refreshing perspective. Despite his instinct to stay isolated and withdrawn, Derry finds himself attracted to Mr. Lamb’s philosophy of life. Mr. Lamb's wisdom, positivity, and stories help Derry feel understood and less alone. The older man encourages him to look beyond his fears and insecurities, sparking a change in Derry’s perspective and drawing him back to Mr. Lamb, despite his initial resistance. Mr. Lamb provides Derry with hope and a sense of connection that he has long missed.

2. In which section of the play does Mr. Lamb display signs of loneliness and disappointment? What are the ways in which Mr. Lamb tries to overcome these feelings?

Ans: Mr. Lamb displays signs of loneliness and disappointment when he mentions that people rarely visit him, despite his open door and inviting garden. He talks about children calling him “Lamey-Lamb” and how people avoid him because of his prosthetic leg. This reveals his underlying loneliness and the societal alienation he faces, even though he does not dwell on it. To overcome these feelings, Mr. Lamb adopts a positive and philosophical approach to life. He focuses on the beauty around him, tends to his garden, and leaves his door open in the hope that someone might come by for company. Mr. Lamb tries to stay connected with the world through nature and by embracing a positive mindset. His effort to engage with Derry, encouraging the boy to look beyond appearances, is also a way for him to combat his isolation and build meaningful relationships.

3. 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?

Ans: People with physical impairments often feel alienated because of society’s tendency to treat them differently. The behavior that individuals with disabilities expect from others is one of genuine acceptance, not sympathy or avoidance. They want to be treated as normal human beings rather than being defined by their disability. The emotional pain caused by stares, murmurs, or pity often outweighs the physical discomfort of their impairment. They long for others to see their inner worth, strengths, and capabilities rather than fixating on their limitations. Mutual respect, understanding, and kindness are behaviors they hope to experience. In "On the Face of It," Derry desires the same—he wants people to engage with him as a person and not simply as someone to be pitied or avoided because of his scar. Mr. Lamb, through his interactions with Derry, models this kind of empathetic and non-judgmental behavior.

4. Will Derry get back to his old seclusion, or will Mr. Lamb’s brief association affect a change in the kind of life he will lead in the future?

Ans: Mr. Lamb’s brief but impactful association with Derry is likely to have a lasting effect on the boy’s life. Mr. Lamb encourages Derry to move beyond his fear of judgment and teaches him that his life holds value despite his appearance. Derry’s decision to return to Mr. Lamb’s garden at the end of the play shows that he is already beginning to embrace this change. While Mr. Lamb’s sudden death may be a setback, the emotional transformation that Derry experiences through their interaction could help him resist falling back into his old pattern of seclusion. Mr. Lamb’s words and philosophy could continue to inspire Derry, pushing him to engage more with the world around him and seek connections beyond his insecurities. The encounter has given him a new perspective, and it is probable that Derry will carry this forward in his life, striving for a more open and fulfilled existence.