On the Face of It – Class 12 English

The play On the Face of It by Susan Hill is a touching and thought-provoking drama that highlights the themes of loneliness, human values, inner beauty, courage, and positive attitude towards life. It teaches us that physical appearance should never be the basis of judging a person and that true happiness lies in self-acceptance and meaningful human relationships. The story revolves around Derry, a fourteen-year-old boy whose face has been badly burnt by acid. Because of his disfigured face, Derry feels isolated, insecure, and inferior. People stare at him, pity him, or avoid him, which deeply hurts him. As a result, Derry develops a negative attitude towards life and believes that no one can like him because of his appearance. He lives in constant fear of rejection and feels lonely even among people. One day, Derry enters a beautiful garden belonging to Mr. Lamb, an old man who lives alone. Initially, Derry is frightened when he hears Mr. Lamb’s voice because he thinks he has been caught trespassing. However, Mr. Lamb speaks to him kindly and warmly. Mr. Lamb himself is physically disabled; he has lost one leg in a bomb explosion during the war and now walks with a tin leg. Despite his disability, Mr. Lamb remains cheerful, optimistic, and welcoming. Mr. Lamb believes that real disability lies in the mind, not in the body. He enjoys nature, keeps bees, apples, and toffees, and welcomes everyone into his garden. He does not believe in locking doors, as he trusts people and values openness. Through his conversation with Derry, Mr. Lamb tries to change Derry’s outlook on life. He encourages him to face the world boldly instead of hiding from it. Derry shares his pain with Mr. Lamb and tells him how people react to his scarred face. He says that people are afraid of him, and even children make fun of him. Mr. Lamb listens patiently and tells Derry that fear and hatred are created by people themselves, not by physical appearances. He advises Derry not to let others’ opinions control his life. According to Mr. Lamb, everyone has something unusual about them, but it should not stop them from living fully. Gradually, Derry feels comfortable with Mr. Lamb. He is inspired by his positive thinking and courage. For the first time, Derry feels understood and accepted. Mr. Lamb motivates him to step out of his shell, interact with people, and enjoy life. He tells Derry that he has a sensitive mind and a strong heart, which are far more important than a handsome face. When Derry returns home and tells his mother about Mr. Lamb, she becomes worried and suspicious. She believes that the world is dangerous and forbids Derry from meeting Mr. Lamb again. However, Derry has already undergone a transformation. He realizes that avoiding life will only increase his loneliness. Determined to change his life, he decides to go back to Mr. Lamb’s garden despite his mother’s objections. At the end of the play, Derry returns to the garden only to find that Mr. Lamb has fallen from a ladder and died. The ending is tragic, but it is deeply meaningful. Though Mr. Lamb is no longer alive, his words and teachings leave a permanent impact on Derry. Derry has learned to accept himself and face the world with confidence. Thus, On the Face of It conveys a powerful message that physical appearance does not define a person’s worth. True beauty lies in kindness, courage, and the ability to live life with hope and positivity.