An Overview - On the face of it by-Susan Hill
Introduction
The play depicts a unique bond between a 14 year old boy Derry and an old man Mr Lamb. poth of
them are physically impaired. Derry is withdrawn and he does not like being near people. He feelS
odd when they stare and when he sees them being afraid of him. Mr Lamb tells him that being
secluded is not a solution to his problem he makes Derry aware of therealitvpfljfe-and-encourages
him to cope with his impairment in the best possible manner. Thus Mr Lamb strikes a friendship with
Derry.
It is ironical that when he finds a new he finds Mr. Lamb in a comatose state
and presumes him to be dead. In this way, the play depicts the heart rendering life of physically
disabled people with their loneliness, aloofness and alienation.
Significance of the Title
'On the Face of it' is an informal expression used to say, when you are describing how something
seems when it is first considered, but this opinion may need to be chanæedwhen you know more
about it. It could also possibly allude to the disfigurement that Derry has on his face, which is the
source of his agony.
This definition of the expression should leave us in no doubt about the appropriatenessof the title.
On the face of it, Mr Lamb appears to be a mysterious, lonely, lame old fellow who lives in a
neighbourhood house with a huge garden, but in reality he is very kind, generous, loving and has a
positive perspectivetowards life.
Similarly, although Derek has an ugly disfigured face, but he is fine lad of fourteen with a deep
longing for love. There is What is wrong is the way people
in their lives and around them view and treat them.
Themes
The actual pain or inconvenience caused
the sense of alienation felt bv-the_pgrson,The disabled need support and acce.Dtancgand
not our pity.
Appearances are deceptive and most often, we go on
People know Mr. Lamb as a lonely eccentric lame old man but in reality he is a very kind and
generous man who longs
Similarly Derek appears to be an abominaQle ugly bov with a huge scar on his face whom no
one loves or likes or befriends. He is the object of other people's hateful stares riéicules and
neglect. Yet this boy who is suffering from an acute inferiority complex has a tender and
sensitive heart, He wants to love and be loved.
The imperative need to view others by removing our glasses of prejudice, hatred, hearsay
and dislike.
Introduction
The play depicts a unique bond between a 14 year old boy Derry and an old man Mr Lamb. poth of
them are physically impaired. Derry is withdrawn and he does not like being near people. He feelS
odd when they stare and when he sees them being afraid of him. Mr Lamb tells him that being
secluded is not a solution to his problem he makes Derry aware of therealitvpfljfe-and-encourages
him to cope with his impairment in the best possible manner. Thus Mr Lamb strikes a friendship with
Derry.
It is ironical that when he finds a new he finds Mr. Lamb in a comatose state
and presumes him to be dead. In this way, the play depicts the heart rendering life of physically
disabled people with their loneliness, aloofness and alienation.
Significance of the Title
'On the Face of it' is an informal expression used to say, when you are describing how something
seems when it is first considered, but this opinion may need to be chanæedwhen you know more
about it. It could also possibly allude to the disfigurement that Derry has on his face, which is the
source of his agony.
This definition of the expression should leave us in no doubt about the appropriatenessof the title.
On the face of it, Mr Lamb appears to be a mysterious, lonely, lame old fellow who lives in a
neighbourhood house with a huge garden, but in reality he is very kind, generous, loving and has a
positive perspectivetowards life.
Similarly, although Derek has an ugly disfigured face, but he is fine lad of fourteen with a deep
longing for love. There is What is wrong is the way people
in their lives and around them view and treat them.
Themes
The actual pain or inconvenience caused
the sense of alienation felt bv-the_pgrson,The disabled need support and acce.Dtancgand
not our pity.
Appearances are deceptive and most often, we go on
People know Mr. Lamb as a lonely eccentric lame old man but in reality he is a very kind and
generous man who longs
Similarly Derek appears to be an abominaQle ugly bov with a huge scar on his face whom no
one loves or likes or befriends. He is the object of other people's hateful stares riéicules and
neglect. Yet this boy who is suffering from an acute inferiority complex has a tender and
sensitive heart, He wants to love and be loved.
The imperative need to view others by removing our glasses of prejudice, hatred, hearsay
and dislike.
