Class 12 English - CBSE
Supplementary: On the Face of It
Supplementary: On the Face of It by Susan Hill is a poignant play exploring the themes of physical impairment, loneliness, and alienation. It portrays a chance meeting between Mr. Lamb, an old man with a tin leg, and Derry, a young boy with a burned face. Through their contrasting perspectives, the chapter emphasizes how society's prejudiced attitudes and pity can be more debilitating than physical disabilities themselves. For CBSE board exams, this chapter is crucial for testing comprehension of psychological depth, character analysis, and empathy-driven narrative questions, often appearing as long-answer questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Alienation and Loneliness
Both characters suffer from societal isolation due to their physical disfigurement, yet they cope with it in vastly different ways.
The Impact of Prejudice
The text highlights how people judge others by external appearances ('on the face of it'), causing deep emotional scars on vulnerable individuals like Derry.
Contrast in Outlooks
Mr. Lamb is optimistic, welcoming, and embraces life despite his handicap, whereas Derry is bitter, defensive, and filled with self-pity and hatred.
Symbolism of the Garden
Mr. Lamb's open garden and his act of making jelly and apples symbolize openness, productivity, and a welcoming attitude toward life and people.
Transformation of Derry
The conversation with Mr. Lamb serves as an epiphany for Derry, shifting him from a victim mindset to reclaiming his agency and self-worth.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the CBSE Class 12 English exam, this chapter from the Vistas book frequently appears as a 6-mark long-answer question testing thematic understanding, or as 2-mark short-answer questions focusing on character motivations, symbolic elements, and the significance of the ending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Derry initially enter Mr. Lamb's garden?
Derry enters the garden thinking it is empty and deserted, as he prefers to hide from people who stare at his burned face and make him feel uncomfortable.
What is the significance of the title 'On the Face of It'?
The title signifies that things, situations, and people should not be judged merely by their outward appearance, as reality is often much deeper than what is visible on the surface.
Did Mr. Lamb die at the end of the play?
Yes, Mr. Lamb falls off the ladder while trying to pull down crab apples, symbolizing that he lived life fully on his own terms until his final moment.
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