On the face of It
NCERT Class 12 English Chapter 5: On the face of It (Pages 47–61)
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Summary of On the face of It
On the face of It at a Glance
CBSE
Class 12
English
Vistas
5
47–61
6 study resources
On the face of It Summary
In 'On the Face of It,' we witness a unique friendship between Mr. Lamb, an elderly man with a prosthetic leg, and Derry, a fourteen-year-old boy with a burned face. The play begins in Mr. Lamb's garden, where Derry accidentally stumbles in. Initially, Derry is withdrawn and defensive, feeling that people only see his physical appearance and judge him harshly. However, Mr. Lamb is different; he is welcoming and treats Derry as a person rather than as someone defined by his scars. Throughout their conversation, Mr. Lamb shares his philosophy about life. He encourages Derry not to be afraid of how others perceive him and to embrace the world around him. As they talk, Derry reveals his feelings of loneliness and the pain caused by people's reactions to his appearance. Mr. Lamb, in turn, shares his own experiences of being teased and how he chooses to find joy in life despite his disability. Mr. Lamb's attitude towards life serves as a contrast to Derry’s negativity, gradually encouraging him to open up and consider a different perspective on his circumstances. The garden symbolizes life’s possibilities and the importance of connection; Mr. Lamb reminds Derry that everyone has their own challenges and that overcoming fear is part of living fully. Just as Mr. Lamb is not defined by his tin leg, Derry learns that he is not defined by his face. The play concludes on an emotional note when Derry runs back to the garden after leaving to check on Mr. Lamb following an accident. This moment encapsulates Derry's transformation as he longs to return to a space filled with acceptance and friendship. The themes of resilience, compassion, and the value of human connection resonate, making the play a touching examination of how we see ourselves and each other.
