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.
Top of
Form
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.
