PRESIDENCY GROUP OF SCHOOLS
Bangalore/ Mangalore
KEY NOTES
SUBJECT- ENGLISH
GRADE – XII
On the Face of It
Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
MR LAMB: Look, boy, look.... what do you see?
DERRY: Just....grass and stuff. Weeds.
MR LAMB: Some call them weeds. If you like, then.... a weed garden,
that. There’s fruit and there are flowers, and trees and herbs. All sorts.
But over there.... weeds. I grow weeds there. Why is one green, growing
plant called a weed and another ‘flower’? Where’s the difference? It’s all
life.... growing. Same as you and me.
DERRY: We’re not the same.
MR LAMB: I’m old. You’re young. You’ve got a burned face, I’ve got a tin
leg. Not important. You’re standing there.... I’m sitting here. Where’s the
difference?
i. Like the play, the given extract is a study in contrasts. What
does Mr. Lamb seek to do by bringing up distinctions?
a. To explain that weeds are important and should be valued and cared for
as much as flowers.
b. To emphasize that distinctions are made by man to serve specific
purposes and uses.
c. To highlight that labels are arbitrary and essentially reflect a common
life experience.
d. To remind Derry that the only difference that matters is that of attitude
and experience.
Ans. Option (c)
ii. How would you describe Derry’s tone when he says – “We’re
not the same”?
a. angry
b. perplexed
c. gloomy
d. practical
Ans. Option (c)
iii. Look at the given images of books. In which of the following
are you NOT likely to find Mr. Lamb’s words as given in the
extract?
a. Options (i) and (iii)
b. Options (i) and (iv)
c. Options (ii) and (iv)
d. Options (ii) and (iii)
Ans. Option (b)
iv. Which of the following represents Mr. Lamb’s analysis of
flowers and weeds?
a. Comparison is an act of violence against the self.
b. If you have a garden in your library, everything will be complete.
c. One man’s freedom fighter is another man’s terrorist.
d. The cosmos is within us. We are made of star stuff.
Ans. Option (a)
1. ‘It is not merely age but experience that counts.’
With reference to any one example from the text, comment
on how Derry found Mr. Lamb different from other adults he
had encountered.
Ans. Derry found Mr. Lamb different from other adults due to his
kind and understanding nature. Despite his disfigurement, Mr. Lamb
showed empathy and didn't judge Derry based on appearances. This
experience taught Derry the value of looking beyond the surface.
2. Do you think Derry’s mother is protective of him? Justify
your opinion with textual evidence.
Ans. Yes, Derry's mother is protective of him. She worries about his
interaction with Mr. Lamb due to his appearance, cautioning him not
to be curious. She tells Derry that she's concerned for his safety,
highlighting her protective nature and concern for his well-being.
3. Why did Derry go back to Mr. Lamb’s garden even after
opposition?
Ans. Derry returned to Mr. Lamb's garden because he realized that
Mr. Lamb's physical appearance didn't define his character. He
wanted to learn more about Mr. Lamb and understand the person
beyond the surface, defying the opposition from his mother.
4. Why does Mr. lamb say, “So you are not lost, are you? Not
altogether?“
Ans.
Derry is bitter about life and people.
Has no faith in the goodness of people.
So when he says that he likes the sound of raindrops on the
roof Mr. Lamb comments that some humanness is still left.
Life has not distorted his vision totally.
5. How does Susan Hill subtly portray a blend of pessimism and
optimism in ‘On the Face of It’?
Ans. Derry is of the pessimistic view whereas Mr. Lamb is of the
optimistic view point.
Both are disabled but still view life from different perspectives.
Both protagonists challenges with disfigurement are depicted with a
stark realism that leans towards pessimism, yet interactions that
offer genuine connection hint at underlying optimism -- suggest the
possibility of emotional survival despite physical and social barriers.
6. What is the bond that unites old Mr. Lamb and Derry, the
boy? How does the old man inspire the boy?
Ans.
It is not only Mr.Lamb’s strange ideas that attract Derek but also his
loneliness and longing for company
he returns to him at the end the two have a great affinity
both have suffered loneliness
both long for a company- both are physically impaired both have
suffered rejection from others
Mr. Lamb revives the almost dead feelings of Derry toward life
He motivates him to think positively about life, changes his mindset
about people and things
Everything appears to be the same but is different‐ eg. bees and
weeds
The gate of the garden is always open
Derry is inspired and promises to come back.
