On the Face of It Class 12 English Vistas ka Chapter 5 hai। Iske lekhak Susan Hill hain। Yeh ek one-act play hai jisme Derry, ek chaudah varshiya ladka jiska chehra acid burn ke kaaran jhulas gaya hai, aur Mr Lamb, ek buzurg vyakti jiske paas tin leg hai, ke beech mulaqat dikhayi gayi hai। Kahani ka mukhya vishay physical disability, loneliness, isolation, acceptance aur positive attitude towards life hai।
About the Author – Susan Hill
Susan Hill ek prasiddh British novelist aur playwright hain। On the Face of It mein unhone do aise paatron ki kahani prastut ki hai jo physical disabilities ke kaaran samaj se alagaav mehsoos karte hain।
Lekin dono ki soch alag hai। Derry logon ki daya aur ghoorne se pareshan hokar khud ko samaj se alag kar leta hai, jabki Mr Lamb apni disability ke bawajood jeevan ko khule man se sweekar karta hai।
On the Face of It – Summary
Kahani ki shuruaat Mr Lamb ke garden se hoti hai। Derry, jo lagbhag chaudah varsh ka hai, garden ki deewar phaandkar andar aata hai kyonki use lagta hai ki garden khaali hai।
Vastav mein wahan Mr Lamb maujood hota hai। Woh Derry ko dekhkar darta ya ghabrata nahi hai। Woh saamanya tarike se usse baat karta hai। Yahi baat Derry ke liye asamanya hoti hai kyonki uske chehre par acid burn ka nishan hai aur log uske chehre ko dekhkar usse door rehte hain।
Derry ko lagta hai ki log uske chehre se darte hain aur uske prati daya dikhate hain। Isliye usne apne aap ko logon se alag kar liya hai।
Mr Lamb use jeevan ko alag nazariye se dekhne ki salah deta hai। Woh Derry ko samjhata hai ki keval apne physical appearance ke baare mein sochte rehna jeevan nahi hai। Duniya mein bahut-si khoobsurat cheezein hain jinhe dekhna, sunna aur mehsoos karna chahiye।
Mr Lamb ka apna ek tin leg hai। Uska asli pair yuddh ke dauraan chala gaya tha। Lekin woh apni disability ko apni zindagi ki sabse badi samasya nahi maanta।
Woh apne garden ka gate hamesha khula rakhta hai। Bachche use "Lamey-Lamb" kehte hain, lekin phir bhi woh unse nafrat nahi karta। Woh logon se milna-julna pasand karta hai aur akelepan ko sweekar karne ke bajaye jeevan mein ruchi banaye rakhta hai।
Derry aur Mr Lamb ki Baatcheet
Derry batata hai ki log uske chehre ko dekhkar alag-alag baatein karte hain। Kuchh log use dekhkar darte hain aur kuchh uski haalat par daya karte hain।
Mr Lamb use samjhata hai ki dusron ki raay ko apne jeevan par haavi nahi hone dena chahiye।
Woh Derry ko yeh mehsoos karata hai ki physical appearance kisi vyakti ki poori pehchaan nahi hoti।
Derry pehli baar kisi aise vyakti se milta hai jo use pity nahi karta balki ek saamanya insaan ki tarah vyavahaar karta hai।
Isi kaaran Derry Mr Lamb se prabhavit hone lagta hai।
Mr Lamb ki Sakaratmak Soch
Mr Lamb ka jeevan bhi aasaan nahi hai। Uska ek pair tin ka hai aur log uska mazak udate hain।
Phir bhi woh:
- Apne garden ka gate khula rakhta hai।
- Bachchon ka swagat karta hai।
- Logon se baat karta hai।
- Prakriti ko enjoy karta hai।
- Bees aur flowers mein ruchi rakhta hai।
- Akelepan se bachne ke liye apne aaspaas ki duniya mein ruchi banaye rakhta hai।
Mr Lamb Derry ko batata hai ki jeevan mein keval un cheezon par dhyan nahi dena chahiye jo hamare paas nahi hain। Hamein un cheezon ko dekhna chahiye jo hamare paas hain।
Derry Goes Home
Derry apne ghar wapas jaata hai aur apni mother ko Mr Lamb ke baare mein batata hai।
Uski mother Mr Lamb ke ghar wapas jaane se darti hai। Woh use chetavni deti hai ki Mr Lamb ke baare mein logon ne achhi baatein nahi kahi hain।
Lekin Derry ab pehle jaisa darpok nahi hai।
Woh apni mother ki baat maanne ke bajaye wapas Mr Lamb ke garden mein jaane ka faisla karta hai।
Derry kehta hai ki agar woh wapas nahi gaya to woh jeevan mein kahin nahi ja payega। Yeh uske personality mein aaye badlaav ko dikhata hai।
The Tragic Ending
Jab Derry wapas Mr Lamb ke garden mein pahunchta hai, tab Mr Lamb ped se apples todne ke liye ladder par chadha hota hai।
Achanak ladder gir jaati hai aur Mr Lamb neeche gir jaata hai।
Derry daudkar uske paas jaata hai aur use batata hai ki woh wapas aa gaya hai।
Lekin Mr Lamb ki mrityu ho chuki hoti hai।
Derry uske paas baithkar rota hai aur kehta hai ki woh wapas aaya hai।
Yeh ending bahut bhavuk hai kyonki Mr Lamb ki chhoti-si mulaqat ne Derry ke jeevan aur soch mein bada badlaav paida kar diya tha।
Read and Find Out – Question Answers
1. Who is Mr Lamb? How does Derry get into his garden?
Answer: Mr Lamb is an old man who has a tin leg because he lost his real leg during the war. He lives in a garden and keeps the gate of his garden open for everyone. Derry enters Mr Lamb's garden by climbing over the wall because he thinks that the place is empty. He does not know that Mr Lamb is inside the garden.
2. Do you think all this will change Derry's attitude towards Mr Lamb?
Answer: Yes, Mr Lamb's words and positive attitude change Derry's feelings considerably. Derry initially thinks that Mr Lamb will also pity or avoid him because of his burnt face. However, Mr Lamb treats him normally and talks to him with confidence. Mr Lamb teaches him to look beyond physical appearance and enjoy life. As a result, Derry begins to develop confidence and decides to return to Mr Lamb's garden despite his mother's objections.
Reading with Insight – Question Answers
1. What is it that draws Derry towards Mr Lamb in spite of himself?
Answer: Derry is drawn towards Mr Lamb because Mr Lamb treats him differently from other people. People usually look at Derry's burnt face with fear, curiosity or pity. Mr Lamb, however, does not focus on Derry's appearance. He talks to him naturally and treats him like an ordinary person. Mr Lamb also has a physical disability because he has a tin leg. Therefore, Derry feels that Mr Lamb understands his situation. Most importantly, Mr Lamb has a positive attitude towards life. He encourages Derry to think about the world around him rather than remaining obsessed with his scarred face. Derry finds this attitude refreshing and inspiring. Therefore, despite his initial hesitation, he becomes attracted towards Mr Lamb and decides to return to him.
2. In which section of the play does Mr Lamb display signs of loneliness and disappointment? What are the ways in which Mr Lamb tries to overcome these feelings?
Answer: Mr Lamb displays signs of loneliness when he talks about people, especially children, who stay away from him or make fun of his tin leg. Children call him "Lamey-Lamb", and although he does not allow their behaviour to destroy his positive attitude, it shows that he experiences loneliness. Mr Lamb tries to overcome loneliness by keeping his garden open to everyone. He welcomes people instead of shutting himself away. He also enjoys nature, listens to birds, observes bees and talks to anyone who visits him. He believes that life should be lived openly rather than being controlled by fear of what other people think. Thus, Mr Lamb responds to loneliness with acceptance, activity and positive thinking.
3. The actual pain or inconvenience caused by a physical impairment is often much less than the sense of alienation felt by the person with disabilities. What is the kind of behaviour that the person expects from others?
Answer: A person with a physical disability often expects others to treat them as normal human beings rather than objects of pity or curiosity. Derry's greatest problem is not only his burnt face. His real problem is the way people react to it. People stare at him, feel sorry for him or avoid him. Such behaviour makes him feel isolated and unwanted. Similarly, Mr Lamb's tin leg attracts comments from children who call him "Lamey-Lamb". The story suggests that people with disabilities need acceptance, respect, friendship and equal treatment rather than excessive sympathy. They want others to see their abilities, thoughts and emotions instead of focusing only on their physical limitations.
4. Will Derry get back to his old seclusion or will Mr Lamb's brief association effect a change in the kind of life he will lead in the future?
Answer: Derry is unlikely to return completely to his old life of isolation. Before meeting Mr Lamb, Derry believed that his burnt face made him different from everyone else. He avoided people and preferred to remain alone. Mr Lamb changes his way of thinking. He teaches Derry that life is much bigger than physical appearance and that he should experience the world instead of hiding from it. The strongest evidence of this change is that Derry returns to Mr Lamb's garden despite his mother's warning. Although Mr Lamb dies before Derry can spend more time with him, his words have already influenced Derry deeply. Therefore, Mr Lamb's brief association is likely to have a lasting positive effect on Derry's life.
Character Sketch – Derry
Derry is a fourteen-year-old boy whose face has been badly burned by acid.
Derry is insecure
He is extremely conscious of his appearance and believes that everyone dislikes him because of his face.
Derry is isolated
He avoids people and prefers to remain alone because he fears their reactions.
Derry is sensitive
He is deeply affected by the comments and reactions of others.
Derry is initially pessimistic
He believes that his physical condition has ruined his life.
Derry is capable of change
After meeting Mr Lamb, he begins to look at life differently.
Derry becomes courageous
He goes back to Mr Lamb despite his mother's warning.
Overall: Derry changes from a withdrawn and insecure boy into a more confident and hopeful person.
Character Sketch – Mr Lamb
Mr Lamb is one of the most inspiring characters in the story.
Positive
He has a cheerful and optimistic personality.
Open-minded
His garden gate is always open, symbolising his openness towards people and life.
Independent
He does not allow his tin leg to control his life.
Friendly
He welcomes Derry despite the boy's initial fear and hesitation.
Philosophical
He teaches Derry important lessons about life, beauty and acceptance.
Lonely
Although he appears cheerful, he also experiences loneliness because people sometimes avoid him.
Courageous
He refuses to allow physical disability to become a barrier to living.
Overall: Mr Lamb represents acceptance, optimism and the courage to live life fully.
Character Sketch – Derry's Mother
Derry's mother is protective of her son. She worries about his safety and does not want him to return to Mr Lamb's garden. However, her excessive concern also reflects the way society's fear and prejudice can reinforce a disabled person's sense of isolation. She wants to protect Derry, but Derry ultimately learns that he must face the world himself.
Themes of the Chapter
1. Physical Disability
Both Derry and Mr Lamb have physical disabilities, but they respond to them differently.
2. Social Isolation
Derry isolates himself because of people's reactions to his face.
3. Acceptance
The story teaches us to accept people for who they are rather than judging them by appearance.
4. Positive Attitude
Mr Lamb shows Derry how positive thinking can transform one's life.
5. Appearance vs Reality
A person's physical appearance does not determine their personality or worth.
6. Human Connection
A short but meaningful relationship can completely change someone's outlook.
Important Symbols
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Garden | Life, openness and opportunities |
| Open Gate | Acceptance and welcoming attitude |
| Wall | Isolation and barriers |
| Tin Leg | Physical disability without surrender |
| Burnt Face | Social prejudice and insecurity |
| Bees | Activity, life and purposeful existence |
| Apples | Life's simple pleasures |
| Ladder | Risk, hope and connection |
Important Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| orchard | फलों का बगीचा |
| crab apples | एक प्रकार के छोटे सेब |
| windfalls | पेड़ से गिरे हुए फल |
| tentatively | संकोचपूर्वक |
| defiant | विरोधी / चुनौती देने वाला |
| secluded | एकांत में |
| withdrawn | समाज से अलग रहने वाला |
| impairment | शारीरिक कमी / अक्षमता |
| alienation | अलगाव |
| prejudice | पूर्वाग्रह |
| sympathy | सहानुभूति |
| pity | दया |
| companionship | साथ / संगति |
| loneliness | अकेलापन |
| optimistic | आशावादी |
| pessimistic | निराशावादी |
| disability | अक्षमता |
| acceptance | स्वीकृति |
| appearance | बाहरी रूप |
| perception | धारणा |
| isolation | अलगाव |
| courage | साहस |
| infirmity | शारीरिक कमजोरी |
| seclusion | एकांतवास |
Central Idea
On the Face of It ka mukhya vichaar yeh hai ki physical appearance kisi vyakti ki vastavik pehchaan nahi hoti।
Derry apne chehre ki wajah se khud ko samaj se alag kar leta hai, jabki Mr Lamb apni physical disability ke bawajood jeevan ko khule man se sweekar karta hai।
Mr Lamb Derry ko sikhata hai ki jeevan ko dar aur dusron ki raay ke aadhaar par nahi jeena chahiye।
Message of the Story
Kahani ka mukhya sandesh hai:
"Do not judge people by their physical appearance."
Hamein physically challenged logon ke prati daya ya ghoorne ke bajaye unhe sammaan, acceptance aur equal treatment dena chahiye।
Saath hi, vyakti ko apni physical limitations ko apni poori pehchaan nahi banne dena chahiye।
Quick Revision
- Author: Susan Hill
- Book: Vistas
- Chapter: 5
- Chapter Name: On the Face of It
- Main Characters: Derry and Mr Lamb
- Derry's Age: 14 years
- Derry's Problem: Acid-burnt face
- Mr Lamb's Problem: Tin leg
- Place: Mr Lamb's garden
- Main Theme: Disability and social isolation
- Important Symbol: Open garden gate
- Major Conflict: Self-isolation vs acceptance
- Ending: Mr Lamb dies after falling from a ladder
- Main Message: A person's worth should not be judged by physical appearance.
Important Questions for Exam
1. Why does Derry enter Mr Lamb's garden?
Answer: Derry enters the garden by climbing over the wall because he thinks that the garden is empty.
2. Why does Derry dislike meeting people?
Answer: Derry dislikes meeting people because they stare at his burnt face, pity him or avoid him. Their reactions make him feel isolated.
3. Why is Mr Lamb different from other people?
Answer: Mr Lamb does not judge Derry by his appearance. He treats him naturally and encourages him to enjoy life.
4. Why does Derry return to Mr Lamb?
Answer: Derry returns because Mr Lamb has changed his outlook towards life. He wants to continue the friendship and prove that he can overcome his fear and isolation.
5. What does the open gate of Mr Lamb's garden symbolise?
Answer: The open gate symbolises openness, acceptance and willingness to connect with people.
6. What is the significance of the title "On the Face of It"?
Answer: The title suggests that things are not always what they appear to be on the surface. Derry and Mr Lamb may appear physically different, but both experience loneliness and emotional pain. The story teaches us to look beyond outward appearance.
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