Summary of English Vistas On the Face of it Class 12
Summary of “On the Face of It” by Susan Hill
- “On the Face of It” is a poignant one-act play by Susan Hill that explores the themes of disability, prejudice, isolation, and the need for acceptance. The play centers around an unexpected interaction between Derry, a teenage boy with a severe facial burn, and Mr. Lamb, an elderly man with a tin leg due to a war injury.
- Derry, withdrawn and bitter due to the way people react to his disfigured face, accidentally enters Mr. Lamb’s garden. Mr. Lamb warmly welcomes him and begins a conversation. Initially, Derry is defensive, assuming Mr. Lamb is like everyone else who pities or fears him. But Mr. Lamb, through his calm and thoughtful words, encourages Derry to see life from a different perspective.
- Mr. Lamb shares his own experiences of loneliness and being judged for his artificial leg. He believes in embracing life, staying connected with people, and finding beauty in small things. He tells Derry that physical appearance is not what defines a person.
- Gradually, Derry begins to open up and is influenced by Mr. Lamb’s optimistic attitude. He promises to return to the garden. However, in a tragic ending, when Derry returns, he finds that Mr. Lamb has fallen from a ladder and died. The play ends with Derry standing over Mr. Lamb’s body, possibly realizing the value of the lesson he had just begun to accept.
Summary of English Vistas On the Face of it Class 12
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