ST.

BEDE’S ACADEMY SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL,

SANTHOME, CHENNAI - 600 004
NOTES
CLASS: XII
SUBJECT: ENGLISH
TOPIC: ON THE FACE OF IT

About the Author

Susan Hill is an English author of fiction and nonfiction works. Her novels
include the ‘woman in black’, ‘The mist in the mirror’ and ‘I’m the king of the
castle’ for which she received the Somerset Maugham award in 1971.
Introduction
The play is about the friendship between an old man and a young boy who is
withdrawn and defiant. Both of them had some physical impairment, but the
outlook of each of them towards life in general and people in particular was very
different. The old man had a positive outlook towards life, whereas the young boy
with the scarred face had become withdrawn and pessimistic.
Characters
1.Derry: a boy of 14 with a burnt face, looks ugly, loner, pessimistic, suffered
from severe negative complexes, anger and frustration, withdrawn and
introverted, low confidence, indulged in self pity, suspicious of the intent of
others
2.Mr. Lamb: an Old man with a tin leg, lonely, craved for company and
acceptance, jovial, optimistic, lover of nature, social, outgoing, tolerant, helpful,
sensitive, independent, didn’t mind children calling him Lamely Lamb or picking
the Crab apples.
3.Derry’s mother:
Summary
The story starts with a teenage boy (Derry) who enters a garden. Due to an
accident when acid befell on his face and got burned on one side. He was afraid
of facing people that’s why he has gone there to hide. Because other people
tease him for having such a face. Upon entering the garden he finds someone
already presents there. Hence, he tries to leave but the old man, Mr. Lamb
(owner of the garden) stops him.
Not arriving without permission Derry feels guilty. However, Mr. Lamb
welcomes him in his garden and tells him not to leave just because of his
presence. People don’t like his face that’s what Derry think and that’s why he
wants to leave. Then again Mr. Lamb asks him to stay there. After that, they
start having a conversation that how no one like Derry and how he hates people
behaving like this with him. Also, Mr. Lamb attempts to console him.
Mr. Lamb state to him that he has a tin leg and how kids make fun of him. Yet
he enjoys his life to the fullest. Their conversation went on and on and reveal
various things about Derry’s fear, hatred, and depression about being in such a
condition. Also, Mr. Lamb keeps on telling him to think about the positive
things. Before long they became friends and Mr. Lamb asks Derry to assist him
in plucking the crab apples of his garden.
Derry state to him that he had come too far from his home and hadn’t told
anything about this to his mother. So, Mr. Lamb asks him to take permission
from his mother. Bur Derry finds it difficult and this leads to a small argument
between both of them. Eventually, Derry agrees and tells Mr. Lamb that he
would come back after asking permission from his mother. However, his mother
does not want him to go but he came back to fulfill his promise.
In the meantime, Mr. Lamb climbs a ladder on his own to pluck the crab apples
as he was sure that Derry would not return. Moreover, because of his disability,
it was difficult for him to climb. So, he slips from the ladder and dies. On the
other hand, Derry returns to the garden to help him but on entering the garden
he sees him lying on the floor. Further, he attempts to move him but didn’t get
any response from him. In the end, he came to know that he is dead and starts
crying.
Conclusion of On the Face of It Summary
On the Face of its summary, the writer wants to say that we should never feel
shame on our appearance. Also, we should be positive and optimistic about
ourselves.