Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 5 – On the Face of It (Susan Hill) Long question answers

 

NCERT Solutions For Class 12 English

Vistas

Chapter 5 – On the Face of It (Susan Hill)

Long question answers

Q1. What is it that draws Derry towards Mr Lamb in spite of himself?

Ans. Both Derry and Mr. Lamb contend with physical challenges. Derry bears the scars of acid burns, disfiguring and burning one side of his face, while Mr. Lamb relies on a tin leg due to the loss of his real leg in the war. Beyond these physical impediments, Derry discerns signs of loneliness and disillusionment in Mr. Lamb's life. Despite the old man's efforts to overcome these emotions, the sense of isolation weighs more heavily on him than the physical disabilities themselves.

For Derry, interactions with people become a source of distress, as they recoil from his frightening and seemingly ugly facial appearance, fostering a pervasive fear of him. Even Derry's parents express concern about his well-being and discuss his future with an air of unease.

In contrast, Mr. Lamb introduces Derry to a fresh perspective. He encourages him to observe, listen, feel, and contemplate the world around him without harboring animosity. Mr. Lamb contends that hatred is more corrosive than acid, as it burns from within. Despite Derry possessing all his God-given limbs, Mr. Lamb urges him to make resolute decisions and work steadfastly towards his goals, assuring him that success is achievable. Emphasizing that fearlessness on Derry's part will dispel fear in others, these insights foster a deep connection between Derry and Mr. Lamb.

Q2. 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. In the midst of the initial scene of the play, it becomes evident that Mr. Lamb is grappling with feelings of loneliness and disappointment. Expressing a desire to engage in activities, he mentions fetching a ladder and stick to harvest crab apples, intending to make jelly, and suggests that Derry could assist him. He declares a keen interest in anything and anyone crafted by God—be it a person, flower, fruit, grass, weed, or even discarded items. Mr. Lamb finds pleasure in observing various elements, including his crab apples, weeds, a spider ascending a silken ladder, and his towering sunflowers.

Moreover, Mr. Lamb relishes conversation and companionship, highlighting his fascination with the myriad things created by God. His hive of bees provides a source of auditory delight as he listens to their harmonious buzzing. Basking in the sunlight, he indulges in reading books, appreciating both the play of light and the embrace of darkness. Mr. Lamb also enjoys the sounds of the wind wafting through open windows, eschewing curtains as they either exclude or confine elements. These activities represent Mr. Lamb's attempts to mitigate his sense of loneliness.

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Q3. 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 behaviour that the person expects from others?

Ans. The play 'On The Face Of It' directs our focus towards the physical suffering and emotional turmoil experienced by individuals dealing with physical impairments. Susan Hill, the playwright, introduces two central characters—an elderly man and a young boy—each grappling with distinct forms of physical disabilities.

The old man copes with the challenges of a tin leg, initially experiencing pain upon its removal, but eventually adapting to its presence. He encounters occasional discomfort during wet weather and finds limitations in activities like running, climbing trees, or ascending ladders. Living alone in a sizable house with a garden, he navigates life with his physical impediment.

On the other hand, the boy bears the aftermath of severe acid burns, enduring both physical agony during the incident and emotional distress post-hospital discharge. Society's negative reactions to his disfigured face create a painful reality for him. People perceive his appearance as horrifying and repulsive, displaying signs of fear and actively avoiding him. Consequently, he faces rejection and, to some extent, hatred, making him feel like an outsider in society. His reluctance to be scrutinized stems from this deep-seated discomfort.

Evidently, the prevalent theme is the profound alienation experienced by these individuals with disabilities, causing persistent emotional pain. Rather than seeking tears, sympathy, or pity, they desire considerate and kind behavior from others. Being pointed at, given derogatory nicknames, ridiculed, or made the subject of amusement is highly unwelcome. All they ask for is reasonable treatment that acknowledges and appreciates the challenges they face.

Q4. How does Derry behave on entering Mr Lamb’s garden?

Ans. Derry opts not to use the gate to enter the garden, choosing instead to climb over the garden wall. The sound of his footsteps is audible as he moves cautiously and tentatively through the tall grass. Startled, he exhibits signs of fear and nervousness when Mr. Lamb unexpectedly instructs him to be mindful of the apples, cautioning about the potential for tripping.

In response to Mr. Lamb's presence, Derry explains that he perceived the area as uninhabited. Mr. Lamb reassures him, stating that the house is vacant until he enters, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the beautiful day outdoors. However, Derry becomes anxious and expresses the urgency to leave. His frustration surfaces when he discovers that the old man had been observing him, and he clarifies that his intention was not to pilfer anything.

When Mr. Lamb encourages him once more not to be afraid, Derry responds by revealing the harsh reality that people fear him due to his perceived ugly and frightening facial appearance.

Q5. What efforts does Mr Lamb make to strike up a friendship with Derry, the small boy, who enters his garden ?

Ans. Mr. Lamb embodies qualities of gentleness, accommodation, and protectiveness. When instructing Derry to be cautious around the apples to avoid tripping, he adopts a considerate approach. Rather than reacting angrily to Derry's unconventional entry, Mr. Lamb points out that the gate is always open, extending a warm welcome. His affable demeanor and conciliatory tone resonate with the rebellious nature of a boy like Derry, who typically avoids social interaction.

Upon discovering the extent of Derry's facial burns, Mr. Lamb diverges from the common reactions of fear and revulsion. Instead, he displays understanding and affection, acknowledging a shared connection by revealing his own physical challenge—a tin leg. Gradually, he endeavors to build trust with Derry, drawing parallels to the tale of 'Beauty and the Beast.' Subsequently, he narrates a story about a man who, consumed by fear, isolated himself. Mr. Lamb's positive outlook on life serves as an inspiration, eventually prompting Derry to open up to him as one would to a friend.

Q6. What is the bond that unites the two—old Mr Lamb and Derry, the small boy ? How does the old man inspire the small boy?

Ans. It is the bond of physical impairment that unites old Mr Lamb and the small boy, Derry. He got his leg blown off during the war and since then he has a tin leg. Derry got one side of his face burnt by acid. Their respective disabilities have not only caused pain and suffer¬ing to the body but to their mind and soul as well. They have to live with their physical impairment. Mr Lamb has adjusted himself to the ways of the world and stopped bother¬ing about what people call him. He keeps himself busy in meaningful activities like pick¬ing apples, making jelly, bee-keeping and preparing toffee from honey. He loves reading books, hearing music, observing beautiful things and thinking about them. He inspires the small boy by saying that he has all the God-given organs intact. He has to decide what to do. He must work for it and then he can outshine even the others. Derry admits that ‘Handsome is he who handsome does.’ For him his face or how he looks does not matter now. He has become positive and has started thinking differently.

Q7. Compare and contrast the characters of Mr. Lamb and Derry.

Ans. Mr. Lamb and the young boy Derry share a commonality in their experience of physical impairment, both having become victims of these disabilities from birth. Mr. Lamb lost his leg in the war, and Derry's face bears the scars of acid burns, rendering one side of it notably ugly and frightening.

Beyond this shared aspect, their dissimilarities are pronounced. While Mr. Lamb is elderly, Derry is a fourteen-year-old boy. Mr. Lamb enjoys socializing and conversing, whereas Derry tends to be withdrawn and defiant, avoiding contact with people.

Mr. Lamb, undeterred by his lameness, has cultivated a love for reading, music, appreciating beauty, and contemplation. He exudes calmness and patience, posing thought-provoking questions that compel Derry to recognize the significance of actions over mere appearances. Despite his physical limitation, Mr. Lamb engages in activities such as picking apples, making jelly, tending to a beehive, and crafting toffees from honey. The gate to his garden is always open, symbolizing his openness to others.

Under Mr. Lamb's guidance, Derry undergoes a transformation in his perspective on life. He adopts a positive outlook and appears content.

Q8. Draw a character sketch of Derry.

Ans. At the age of fourteen, Derry presents as a withdrawn and defiant young boy, marked by the disfigurement of one side of his face due to acid burns, resulting in an appearance that is both ugly and frightening. This traumatic incident has left him grappling with an inferiority complex.

Derry exhibits heightened sensitivity to the opinions of others, be it his parents, family friends, well-wishers, or even strangers. The anxiety, concern, fear, and revulsion expressed by these individuals affect him more profoundly than the physical pain inflicted by the burns.

Despite facing these challenges, Derry demonstrates intelligence, swiftly grasping the moral lesson behind Mr. Lamb's mention of the story 'Beauty and the Beast': "Handsome is as handsome does." Despite this insight, he occasionally succumbs to self-pity, declaring, "I won't change... and no one'll kiss me ever."

Derry's sensitivity extends to an awareness of others' suffering, eliciting sympathy for himself as he inquires about the old man's leg, pain, and solitary existence. However, he also exhibits a capacity for learning, being impressed by the old man's resilient approach to life despite physical handicaps. Ultimately, Derry undergoes a transformation wherein he disregards concerns about his appearance, aspiring to see, hear, learn, think, and accomplish unique feats. In essence, Derry emerges as a character in the process of development.

Q9. Draw a character sketch of old Mr Lamb.

Ans. The central figure in the play, Mr. Lamb assumes the role of the protagonist, maintaining a commanding presence from the play's outset to its conclusion. His character leaves a lasting impression as a perceptive, watchful, kind, considerate, and sympathetic individual. Demonstrating gentleness, accommodation, and protectiveness, Mr. Lamb places a higher priority on the boy's well-being than on the apples in his care.

Despite keeping his gates open and asserting numerous friendships, Mr. Lamb grapples with a sense of alienation stemming from his physical impairment. Living alone, he experiences a degree of misery, craving companionship and conversation, which he willingly shares even with the young boy.

Mr. Lamb assumes the roles of a contemporary communicator and a psychologist, emphasizing the importance of bringing out the best in each person. His adept handling of situations and unique questioning prompts Derry to reconsider some of his deeply entrenched beliefs, encouraging him to engage with the world around him. In this way, Mr. Lamb becomes a source of inspiration for those burdened by depression and gloom.

Practical and pragmatic, Mr. Lamb's way of life serves as a valuable lesson for individuals contending with physical handicaps. His example highlights the potential for undertaking meaningful activities that infuse life with purpose and direction, warding off the specter of boredom. Even in moments of vulnerability, such as his fall with the ladder, Mr. Lamb exhibits a grace reminiscent of Christ.

Q10. Comment on the ending of the play ‘On The Face Of It’. How far do you find it effective ?

Ans. The play concludes with a suggestive and poignant scene. While engaged in apple-picking, Mr. Lamb experiences a fall alongside the ladder. Upon entering the garden, Derry is met with an eerie silence and is both surprised and shocked to discover Mr. Lamb on the ground. Expressing hope that everything is alright, Derry kneels beside him, assuring the old man of his return and presence. He implores Mr. Lamb to rise and engage in conversation. The lack of response prompts Derry to shed tears.

This dramatic and stage-worthy ending paints Mr. Lamb as a Christ-like figure, with the ladder beneath him. Despite its pathos, the conclusion doesn't cast a shadow of gloom but rather functions as a guiding light. Symbolically, it signifies the passing of the torch from the older generation to the younger one. It resembles a soldier exiting with the satisfaction of a completed mission. While Mr. Lamb physically departs, his philosophical legacy is handed over to Derry, inspiring him to discover his aspirations and pursue higher goals. Thus, though Mr. Lamb's physical existence ceases, his ideas endure, motivating Derry to achieve meaningful objectives. In this context, the conclusion is both impactful and meaningful.

Q11. Both Derry and Lamb are physically impaired and lonely. It is the responsibility of society to understand and support people with infirmities so that they do not suffer from a sense of alienation. As a responsible citizen, write, in about 100 words what you would do to bring about a change in the lives of such people. [All India 2014]

Ans. Both Mr. Lamb and the young boy Derry share a commonality in that they both experience physical impairments, conditions they acquired after birth. It is crucial to refrain from reprimanding individuals facing such challenges; instead, they should be treated with honor and respect within society. Encountering pessimism can potentially deepen their sorrows and lead to a sense of alienation. As responsible citizens, it becomes our duty to ensure these individuals are accorded a dignified place in society, allowing them to integrate into the mainstream and lead lives akin to those without disabilities. Fostering an environment that doesn't constantly remind them of their impairments is essential for fulfilling our role as responsible citizens.