Explore On the Face of It by Susan Hill, including a chapter summary, detailed explanations, word meanings, MCQs, and additional questions with answers to deepen comprehension.
Summary: Summary of On the Face of It
On the Face of It by Susan Hill tells the story of a surprising friendship between two unlikely characters. Derry is a fourteen-year-old boy with severe burns on his face, which make him feel isolated and angry. One day, he wanders into what he thinks is an empty garden. There he meets Mr Lamb, an old man with a prosthetic leg.
Mr Lamb welcomes Derry, starting a conversation that helps Derry see life differently. Derry talks about how others judge him for his appearance, and Mr Lamb shares his own experience with his leg. Instead of focusing on his own challenges, Mr Lamb encourages Derry to appreciate life’s beauty. He teaches Derry to look beyond people’s opinions and to find strength within himself.
As they talk, Derry is drawn to Mr Lamb’s positive view of life. Mr Lamb’s kindness and wisdom change Derry’s outlook, showing him that there is more to life than what others see on the surface. By the end, Derry decides to return to Mr Lamb’s garden, excited to continue their friendship. However, he finds that Mr Lamb has fallen from a ladder, leaving their friendship tragically brief.
Through this meeting, the play shows the power of kindness and acceptance. It reminds us not to judge others by appearances and to look for strength inside ourselves.
Explanation: Detailed Explanation of On the Face of It
Introduction: An Unlikely Friendship
On the Face of It by Susan Hill tells a touching story about an unexpected bond between Derry, a young boy with facial scars, and Mr Lamb, an elderly man with a prosthetic leg. At first, Derry sneaks into Mr Lamb’s garden, thinking it’s empty. However, he soon discovers Mr Lamb sitting among the flowers. This meeting becomes a life-changing moment for Derry.
Derry’s First Reactions
Derry feels angry and hurt because of how others treat him due to his scarred face. People often stare or avoid him, which makes him feel isolated. Because of this, Derry has started believing he is “ugly” and that he will never be accepted by others. When he meets Mr Lamb, he is defensive and wary, expecting Mr Lamb to be just like everyone else.
Mr Lamb’s Warm Welcome
Yet, Mr Lamb is different. He doesn’t pity Derry or make him feel uncomfortable. Instead, he warmly invites Derry to sit with him. Mr Lamb’s friendly attitude is surprising to Derry, who isn’t used to such acceptance. Mr Lamb tells him that he welcomes everyone into his garden and that he doesn’t judge people based on their appearance. This open-mindedness intrigues Derry, and he stays to talk with Mr Lamb.
A Lesson in Acceptance
During their conversation, Mr Lamb shares his thoughts about life, beauty, and acceptance. He tells Derry that one’s appearance doesn’t define who they are. For instance, Mr Lamb talks about how he has a tin leg because he lost his real one in an accident. Some children even tease him, calling him “Lamey-Lamb,” but he chooses not to let these comments affect him. Instead of feeling sad or angry, he focuses on the things he loves, like gardening and watching the bees.
Derry’s Transformation
Mr Lamb’s words begin to change Derry’s perspective. Slowly, Derry starts seeing himself and his life in a new light. Mr Lamb uses simple examples, like the flowers and weeds in the garden, to show Derry that everything in life has value, even if it doesn’t look perfect. This idea helps Derry realise that he, too, has worth and that his scars do not define him.
The Turning Point
Mr Lamb encourages Derry to focus on his inner strengths rather than worrying about what others think. Inspired, Derry becomes more hopeful. He decides he wants to return to Mr Lamb’s garden later to help him pick crab apples and enjoy his company. This decision marks a turning point for Derry, as he begins to embrace life with new courage and hope.
The Bittersweet Ending
Unfortunately, when Derry returns to the garden, he finds that Mr Lamb has fallen from a ladder and passed away. This sudden loss is a painful moment for Derry, but Mr Lamb’s positive influence remains with him. Derry’s short friendship with Mr Lamb has helped him see the world differently, encouraging him to live more fully and not let his scars define his happiness.
Conclusion: A Story of Hope and Resilience
In On the Face of It, Susan Hill explores themes of acceptance, resilience, and the importance of seeing beyond appearances. Through Mr Lamb, Derry learns that he can choose to be happy and that life holds beauty, even if it’s not always visible on the surface. This story is a powerful reminder of the value of kindness, self-acceptance, and human connection.
Q&A: Question and Answer of On the Face of It
Read and Find Out
- Who is Mr Lamb? How does Derry get into his garden?
Answer (Very Short): Mr Lamb is an elderly man with a prosthetic leg. Derry enters his garden by climbing over the wall. - Do you think all this will change Derry’s attitude towards Mr Lamb?
Answer (Short): Yes, Derry begins to see Mr Lamb as someone who accepts him without judgment, influencing him to reconsider his view of himself and others.
Reading with Insight
- What is it that draws Derry towards Mr Lamb in spite of himself?
Answer (Short): Derry is drawn to Mr Lamb’s acceptance and wisdom, which contrasts sharply with the pity he usually receives. Mr Lamb’s view that life’s value lies beyond appearances appeals deeply to Derry. - In which section of the play does Mr Lamb display signs of loneliness and disappointment?
Answer (Long): Mr Lamb’s loneliness is evident when he speaks about his open house and the children who call him names. Despite this, he overcomes these feelings by maintaining an open door policy and engaging with anyone who enters his garden, allowing him to share his perspective with others. - The pain caused by impairment is less than the sense of alienation. What behaviour does a person with disabilities expect from others?
Answer (Long): A person with disabilities often longs for acceptance without pity or judgment. They wish to be treated as equals, focusing on their abilities and individuality rather than on their impairments. - Will Derry get back to his old seclusion, or will Mr Lamb’s influence lead to a change in his life?
Answer (Short): Mr Lamb’s influence is likely to inspire Derry to overcome his isolation and face the world with newfound courage, embracing life despite his insecurities.
Extract-based Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) from On the Face of It by Susan Hill
Extract 1
“MR LAMB: Mind the apples! DERRY: What? Who’s that? Who’s there? MR LAMB: Lamb’s my name. Mind the apples. Crab apples those are. Windfalls in the long grass. You could trip.”
Questions:
- What does Mr Lamb warn Derry to be cautious of?
- a) Falling branches
- b) Flowers
- c) Crab apples
- d) The garden gate
- How does Derry react upon hearing Mr Lamb for the first time?
- a) With surprise
- b) With joy
- c) With irritation
- d) With anger
- What is the tone of Mr Lamb’s words in this exchange?
- a) Stern
- b) Friendly
- c) Anxious
- d) Dismissive
Answer Key: 1. c) Crab apples, 2. a) With surprise, 3. b) Friendly
Extract 2
“DERRY: But I’m not….I’m not afraid. [Pause] People are afraid of me. MR LAMB: Why should that be? DERRY: Everyone is. It doesn’t matter who they are, or what they say, or how they look.”
Questions:
- What does Derry reveal about people’s reactions to him?
- a) They are kind
- b) They are afraid
- c) They are indifferent
- d) They are amused
- How does Mr Lamb respond to Derry’s statement?
- a) With curiosity
- b) With anger
- c) With pity
- d) With sympathy
- What does this interaction suggest about Derry’s personality?
- a) He is confident
- b) He is indifferent to others
- c) He feels judged by others
- d) He is hopeful about the future
Answer Key: 1. b) They are afraid, 2. a) With curiosity, 3. c) He feels judged by others
Extract 3
“MR LAMB: Some call them weeds. If you like, then….a weed garden, that. There’s fruit and there are flowers, and trees and herbs. All sorts. But over there….weeds.”
Questions:
- What is Mr Lamb’s view on the weeds in his garden?
- a) He dislikes them
- b) He sees them as valuable
- c) He ignores them
- d) He thinks they are useless
- How does Mr Lamb’s attitude towards the weeds reflect his personality?
- a) He is judgmental
- b) He is pessimistic
- c) He values all life forms equally
- d) He prefers flowers over weeds
- What does Mr Lamb mean by “a weed garden”?
- a) A garden full of harmful plants
- b) A mix of different plants
- c) A garden where he grows only weeds
- d) A garden with no flowers
Answer Key: 1. b) He sees them as valuable, 2. c) He values all life forms equally, 3. b) A mix of different plants
Extract 4
“DERRY: And no one’ll kiss me, ever. Only my mother, and she kisses me on the other side of my face, and I don’t like my mother to kiss me, she does it because she has to.”
Questions:
- Why does Derry feel that no one will ever kiss him?
- a) He believes he is unlovable
- b) He dislikes affection
- c) He is shy
- d) He prefers solitude
- How does Derry feel about his mother’s affection?
- a) He values it deeply
- b) He dislikes it
- c) He is indifferent
- d) He feels comforted by it
- What does this statement reveal about Derry’s self-esteem?
- a) He has high self-esteem
- b) He is confident about his appearance
- c) He has a low self-image
- d) He feels optimistic about his future
Answer Key: 1. a) He believes he is unlovable, 2. b) He dislikes it, 3. c) He has a low self-image
Extract 5
“MR LAMB: When I’m here. Not the only one. But the world, as much as anywhere. DERRY: Does your leg hurt you? MR LAMB: Tin doesn’t hurt, boy!”
Questions:
- What does Mr Lamb mean by saying “the world, as much as anywhere”?
- a) His garden is his world
- b) He dislikes the world
- c) He finds the world elsewhere
- d) He feels trapped in his garden
- What is Derry curious about regarding Mr Lamb’s leg?
- a) If it causes pain
- b) If it is comfortable
- c) If it is made of wood
- d) If it is hidden
- How does Mr Lamb respond to Derry’s question about pain?
- a) With annoyance
- b) With sadness
- c) With humour
- d) With relief
Answer Key: 1. a) His garden is his world, 2. a) If it causes pain, 3. c) With humour
10 Extra Important Questions of Varying types for On the Face of It
Very Short Answer Type (1-2 sentences)
- Why does Derry enter Mr Lamb’s garden?
Answer: Derry enters Mr Lamb’s garden because he thinks it’s empty and wants a quiet place to hide. - How does Mr Lamb feel about the children who call him “Lamey-Lamb”?
Answer: Mr Lamb isn’t bothered by the nickname; he finds it amusing and doesn’t let it affect him. - What does Mr Lamb do to stay busy?
Answer: Mr Lamb spends time in his garden, reads books, and makes jelly from crab apples to keep himself busy. - Why does Derry’s mother not want him to return to Mr Lamb’s garden?
Answer: Derry’s mother is suspicious of Mr Lamb, fearing he may not be a good influence.
Short Answer Type (30-40 words)
- How does Mr Lamb’s view of the garden reflect his philosophy on life?
Answer: Mr Lamb sees everything in his garden, even weeds, as valuable and beautiful in their own way. This view reflects his belief that everyone and everything has worth, regardless of appearance or labels. - Why is Derry angry when Mr Lamb talks about looking beyond appearances?
Answer: Derry feels that Mr Lamb is oversimplifying his struggles. Since Derry is used to people staring at his scars, he feels it’s impossible to ignore appearance, as Mr Lamb suggests. - How does Mr Lamb respond to Derry’s negative view of himself?
Answer: Mr Lamb responds calmly, showing patience and understanding. He encourages Derry to think positively, urging him to look at the world with an open heart and mind rather than focusing on his scars.
Long Answer Type (60-70 words)
- Describe how Mr Lamb’s character influences Derry by the end of the play.
Answer: Mr Lamb’s kindness, acceptance, and positive outlook have a profound impact on Derry. By accepting Derry without judgment, Mr Lamb shows him that life’s value isn’t tied to appearance. Mr Lamb’s openness to people and experiences encourages Derry to step out of his isolation, suggesting that his friendship may help Derry start seeing himself and life differently. - What lesson does Derry learn from Mr Lamb’s example of the “weeds” in his garden?
Answer: Derry learns that just as weeds are part of the garden’s beauty, every person has unique worth. Mr Lamb’s acceptance of the weeds as part of the garden’s life helps Derry realise that he, too, has a place in the world, regardless of his scars. This lesson inspires Derry to begin thinking about himself more positively. - Explain how On the Face of It addresses the theme of loneliness.
Answer: The play explores loneliness through both Mr Lamb and Derry. Mr Lamb lives alone, with only his garden and occasional visitors for company, while Derry isolates himself due to others’ reactions to his scars. Through their meeting, they find temporary relief from their loneliness, realising that genuine connection can help overcome feelings of isolation.
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