7-7-2025 On the Face of It
Essential Vocabulary:
Misanthrope, Defiant, Alienation, Bitterness, Sympathy, Empathy, Scars, Inhibition,
Vulnerability, Prejudice, Isolation, Disfigurement, Acceptance, Cynicism,
Encouragement, Despair, Compassion, Perception, Judgement, Resilience.
Essential questions:
1. How do physical appearances shape our identity and the way others perceive
us?
2. Can friendship and human connection heal emotional scars?
3. In what ways does society exclude individuals who are different?
4. How do Derry and Mr. Lamb challenge each other’s beliefs and fears?
5. What does the play suggest about overcoming personal trauma or insecurity?
Enduring Understanding:
True empathy requires seeing beyond appearances.
Emotional and social acceptance plays a vital role in personal healing.
Human connection has the power to challenge isolation and build resilience.
Disability is not inability—people with differences can lead meaningful, inspiring
lives.
Fear of rejection often causes more damage than rejection itself.
Performance of Understanding: Chapter Test, Notice Writing
Tools Used: Think-Pair-Share, Role play
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Title Significance
“On the face of it” is an idiom suggesting superficial judgment.
The title reflects how society judges people based on appearances, ignoring
inner qualities.
Plot Overview
Derry, who fears people and isolates himself due to his facial disfigurement,
meets Mr. Lamb by chance.
Mr. Lamb offers friendship, challenges Derry’s self-pity, and shares his own story
of disability.
Derry is inspired and begins to change his mindset.
When Derry returns to the garden to tell Mr. Lamb, he finds him dead —
reinforcing the fragile nature of human connection.
Character Transformation
Derry begins as shy, angry, and full of self-hatred.
By the end, he is motivated, open to life, and eager to break his shell — a clear
emotional evolution.
Characters
Derry: Teenage boy with an acid-burnt face; shy, withdrawn, bitter, insecure.
Mr. Lamb: Elderly man with a tin leg; friendly, optimistic, philosophical, open-
hearted. Acts as a mentor and catalyst for change.
Believes in not shutting the door, both literally and emotionally.
Dies alone, possibly unacknowledged, but not unloved — a subtle tragic end.
2. Setting
Mr. Lamb’s garden – a symbol of openness, healing, and acceptance.
3. Plot Highlights
Derry accidentally enters Mr. Lamb’s garden.
Conversation between the two explores isolation, fear, prejudice, and resilience.
Mr. Lamb challenges Derry’s views on life.
Derry begins to change, gains confidence, decides to return.
Tragic twist: Mr. Lamb dies before Derry returns.
4. Conflicts
Internal: Derry struggles with self-worth and identity.
External: Society’s harsh judgment and rejection based on appearance.
5. Symbols
Garden: A safe, open space for growth and sanctuary of acceptance.
Bees/Books/Open Door: Represent openness to life and others. Symbol of
welcome, no prejudice. Mr. Lamb’s love for nature and learning; contrast to
Derry’s negativity.
Tin leg & Burnt face: Physical disabilities that reflect emotional pain.
6. Emotional Journey
From bitterness ➝ curiosity ➝ trust ➝ realization ➝ transformation ➝ shock
Themes in “On the Face of It”
Theme Explanation
Appearance vs The title plays on how people judge others "on the face of it" —
Reality but there's more beneath the surface.
Disability & Social Explores how physical differences can lead to emotional
Isolation exclusion and loneliness.
Empathy and
True connection begins when people listen without judging.
Understanding
Healing through
Mr. Lamb’s words act as emotional therapy for Derry.
Dialogue
Optimism vs Mr. Lamb represents hope; Derry represents fear—until their
Pessimism meeting.
Derry is more wounded by people’s reactions than by the
Fear of Rejection
accident itself.
Power of Human
One meaningful conversation can change a life.
Connection
Important Quotes
“Things are not always what they seem.”
“You’re not afraid. People are afraid of you.”
“I’ve got one of those tin legs. Real one got blown off, years back… but this
one’s as good as anything.”
Moral/Message
Judging others based on appearance is shallow and harmful.
Disability is not incapacity.
One compassionate relationship can transform a life.
Positivity and openness help overcome personal trauma.
Literary Devices:
Symbolism: Garden, bees, open door, tin leg.
Irony: Mr. Lamb gives Derry hope but dies just as he begins to change.
Metaphor: Physical scars as a metaphor for emotional pain.
Contrast: Mr. Lamb’s open world vs. Derry’s closed-off attitude.
Author Introduction (brief line for context):
Susan Hill is a contemporary British author known for her sensitive portrayal of
human emotions and psychological depth. “On the Face of It” is a short play that
explores disability, prejudice, and the healing power of human connection.
Genre (useful for questions like "What kind of text is this?" in exams):
Modern Play / One-Act Play – Naturalistic dialogue, minimal characters, intimate
setting, focused on emotional and philosophical themes.
Self Work
1. What draws Derry to Mr. Lamb despite initial reluctance? (40-50 words)
2. How does Mr. Lamb become a turning point in Derry’s life?
3. Explain: “It’s not the look of a face, it’s what’s inside that matters.”
Derry writes a Notice to his school community inviting them for a campaign or talk on
“Accepting Differences”, inspired by Mr. Lamb — this builds writing-skill integration.
