ON THE FACE OF IT- SUSAN HILL (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 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 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. But 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.
ASSIGNMENT
SHORT ANSWERS (30-40)words
Q 1 How did Mr. Lamb get one of his leg blown off ?What do children call him?
Q2 .What did Derry feel about his face?why?
Q 3. How did Mr.Lamb react to Derry viewing himself differently?
Q4.what qualities of Mr. Lamb attracted Derry to him?
Q5.According to Derry,what did people think and say about him?
Q6.Why did Mr.Lamb help Derry?
Q7.How did Derry’s handicap damage his life?
Q8.What does Mr.lamb try to tell Derry through the example of a weed and a flower?
Q9.What is the bond that unites the two –the old Mr.Lamb and Derry .the small boy?
Q10.What benefits did Derry reap from his association with Mr.Lamb?
LONG QUESTIONS (120-150 WORDS)
Q1.Both Derry and Mr.Lamb are victims of physical impairment but how much painful for
them is the feeling of loneliness . Comment.
Q2. Derry sneaked into Mr. Lamb’s garden and it became a turning point in his
life.Comment.
Q3.Justify the title.’On The Face Of it’.
Q4.How did Mr.Lamb inspire Derry?
Q 5.What did Derry’s mother think of Mr.Lamb?
