On the Face of It

 

On the Face of It – Susan Hill

Characters

1. Derry – A 14-year-old boy with one side of his face burnt by acid.

2. Mr. Lamb – An old man with a tin leg, who owns a beautiful garden.

Setting

• The play is set in Mr Lamb’s garden, a calm and green place symbolising peace and acceptance.
• Derry enters the isolated garden by chance, which becomes a turning point in his life.

Summary / Plot Overview

1. Derry enters the garden

• Derry enters cautiously into Mr Lamb’s garden.
• Mr Lamb surprises Derry by greeting him warmly and saying everyone is welcome in his garden.
• Derry plans to leave but is stopped by Mr Lamb’s friendly nature.

2. Derry’s fears and insecurities

• Derry explains that others are scared of him because of his burnt face.
• He feels isolated and unloved.
• Derry believes people find him ugly and often make him feel inferior.
• He even admits that he himself hates looking at his face in the mirror.

3. Mr Lamb’s acceptance and wisdom

• Mr Lamb listens patiently and changes the subject by talking about plucking crab apples.
• Derry thinks he is avoiding the topic like everyone else.
• Mr Lamb gently asks about the cause of his burnt face.
• Derry reveals that acid burnt one side of his face, which will remain scarred forever.
• Mr Lamb responds calmly — says that everything made by God is interesting.
• He shares his own experience of disability — his tin leg and how children mock him as “Lamey-Lamb.”
• Yet, Mr Lamb remains cheerful, positive, and friendly.

4. Conversation on inner beauty

• Mr Lamb compares life to the story of “Beauty and the Beast.”
• Derry says that unlike the tale, no kiss can change his face; he will always remain a “monster.”
• His mother only kisses him on the unburnt side, deepening his emotional pain.
• Mr Lamb encourages him to see beauty in life and not in appearances.
• He says, “You’ve got a whole world to look at.”

5. Derry’s change in attitude

• Derry opens up about people’s rude comments and pity.
• Mr Lamb advises him not to listen to negative voices or hide from society.
• He narrates a story of a man who was so scared of bad things that he locked himself inside, but a picture frame fell on him and killed him anyway.
• Moral: Fear and hatred can harm us more than any physical injury.

6. Derry’s transformation

• Derry starts liking Mr Lamb’s company and garden.
• He expresses his wish to return and help pluck crab apples.
• Mr Lamb welcomes him, telling him he’ll meet many friends there.
• Derry goes home to tell his mother but promises to return.

7. The tragic end

• Mr Lamb, talking to himself, feels doubtful whether Derry will return.
• Derry’s mother forbids him to go back, but he insists — saying that if he doesn’t go, he’ll never be able to face the world.
• Derry runs away from home and returns to the garden.
• He finds Mr Lamb dead under an apple tree, possibly from a fall.

Theme	Description
Acceptance & Positivity	Mr Lamb teaches Derry to accept himself and others without prejudice.
Loneliness & Isolation	Both characters are lonely — Derry due to his face, Mr Lamb due to his age and disability.
Appearance vs Reality	The play highlights that real beauty lies within, not in physical looks.
Courage & Transformation	Derry transforms from a withdrawn boy to one who wishes to live meaningfully.

Message / Moral

• The play teaches the importance of self-acceptance and positive thinking.

• Physical deformities should not define a person’s identity or worth.

• Life becomes beautiful when we stop fearing others’ opinions.

• Mr Lamb’s optimism and kindness bring a remarkable change in Derry’s outlook.

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Important Quotes

1. “You’ve got a whole world to look at.” – Mr Lamb

2. “It’s all the same – flowers, bees, apples, and people.” – Mr Lamb

3. “If I choose, I can go anywhere.” – Derry

4. “Hatred can do more harm than any acid.” – Mr Lamb

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Character Sketches

Derry

• Sensitive, withdrawn, insecure, but intelligent.

• Suffers from low self-esteem due to his disfigurement.

• Initially bitter, but transforms after meeting Mr Lamb.

• Learns to value life and self-worth.

Mr Lamb

• Old, wise, and lonely man with a tin leg.

• Represents optimism, acceptance, and wisdom.

• Sees beauty and goodness in everything created by God.

• Becomes a mentor and friend to Derry.

• His death is tragic but leaves behind a life-changing lesson for Derry.

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Moral / Conclusion

• “On the Face of It” shows that true beauty lies within.

• Self-acceptance is the key to happiness.

• Mr Lamb’s brief meeting transforms Derry’s attitude forever.

• The play ends tragically but delivers a powerful message of hope and courage.