CBSE Class 12 English Vistas On The Face of It Worksheet Set A

 

 

Derry was a teenager, highly pessimistic and withdrawn from the mainstream society. - He developed this attitude after one side of his face was disfigured by acid. He avoided company of others and remained lonely lest he be noticed by other people. - He believed that no one loved him and his mother loved him because she was supposed to. - Well, Derry cannot be completely blamed for his pessimistic and aggressive attitude towards the world around him. - Once he heard two women commenting about his monstrous appearance. They said only a mother could love a face like his. - On another day Derry heard his parents conversing that he would not survive after their death because he was deformed. - The shock he received from these words was big. - On another occasion Derry heard his relatives saying that his being put in the hospital where he had been treated after the accident was good for him. In their opinion a deformed boy like Derry could accommodate himself with other deformed boys and girls. - Derry had his ears always open for such comments and used to respond to them in his silent way. - He concluded that the world altogether didn’t need a boy like him. - One day Derry accidently met a man called Mr. Lamb. - Mr. Lamb was an old man with a lame leg. After he became lame, Mr. Lamb began to develop a positive attitude with his deformity. -He worked hard to defeat this impairment and learnt to walk and climb ladders. - He was happy to be alive and ignored his lameness. - He made everyone his friend and had a house with no curtains and open doors. He welcomed anyone who came to him. - While Mr. Lamb took his impairment as a challenge and tried to overcome it, Derry believed that he was unwanted and lost. - His pain was physical and mental. Being a child he was not as strong as Mr. Lamb about suffering. - He couldn’t take the sneering and sympathizing world as taken by Mr. Lamb. - Mr. Lamb was able to sit smart and unaffected as long as he wore trousers and sat but Derry had no way to hide his face. - After meeting Mr. Lamb Derry realized how foolish he had been to believe his parents. - For him Lamb was a man who opened the doors of his closed world in an hour’s time the same of which were shut on him by his parents and therefore believed that his company with Lamb would make him a perfect person. - At the end Derry goes back to his house where his mother cross questioned him.She had instructed him not to step out of the house. - Derry tried to convince his mother that Mr. Lamb was an extremely good man but she was not ready to listen. - Ignoring his mother’s thoughtless restrictions, Derry left his home and ran to Mr. Lamb’s garden. - On reaching, Derry found a motionless Mr. Lamb fallen from the ladder. - He had fallen while pulling the crab apples down from the tree.

 

 

“On the Face of it” is an informal expression used to say that something seems to be good, true etc. An individual may be quite different from what we think of him or what he or she may apparently appear to be at first glance. There is the imperative need for us to view others by removing our glasses of prejudice, hatred, hearsay and dislike. On the face of it, Mr. Lamb appears to be mysterious, lonely, lame old fellow who lives in a neighborhood house with a huge garden, but in reality he is very kind, generous, loving and altruistic. Similarly, although Derek has an ugly looking scary face, he is a fine lad of fourteen with a deep longing for love. There is nothing wrong with Mr. Lamb and Derek. What is wrong is the way people in their lives and around them view and treat them. On the face of it, there is so much of diversity, so many differences and divisions between the people and other species of the world but underneath is a oneness, a sameness – all of them are created by God and all of them need to live and grow together with love and mutual acceptance. As the play progresses the characters’ views about each other and our impression of them changes for the better. Thus, Susan Hill has quite appropriately entitled her play “On the Face of It”.

 

Theme: People who suffer from disabilities must always look at the bright side of things and adapt reality of life bravely. At the same time the actual pain or inconvenience caused by a physical impairment is often much less than the sense of alienation felt by the person. The disabled needs support and acceptance and not our pity. The title ‘On the Face of it’ is used to mean that something seems to be good, true etc. but that needs to be changed when you know more about it. Appearances are deceptive and most often, we go on dealing with impressions and prejudices about others without caring to know about them actually. People know Mr. Lamb as a lonely eccentric lame old man but in reality he is a very kind and generous man who longs for company and he loves his fellow human beings along with all the other creations of God. Similarly Derek appears to be an abominable ugly boy 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 ridicules and neglect. Even his mother does not dare to kiss him on the cheek with the scar. Yet this boy who is suffering from an acute inferiority complex has a tender and sensitive heart. He wants to love and be loved. Fortunately he meets Mr. Lamb who transforms him with his healing touch.

 

Question. Why didn't Mr. Lamb feel hurt by children's comments?
(a) because he thought that their remarks suit him
(b) he loves children
(c) he likes them
(d) he wants them to play in his garden

Answer : A 

Question. Why did Derry go to Mr. Lamb at the end?
(a) because of his wish to live a free life
(b) he wanted apples
(c) he wanted to play in the garden
(d) none

Answer : A

Question. Why did Derry's mother stop him to stay with Mr. Lamb?
(a) because he was not well
(b) because he would scold him
(c) because he talked too much
(d) because she didn't want him to stay with a stranger

Answer : D

Question. Why did Derry share his fear with Mr. Lamb?
(a) because he had a garden
(b) because he was old
(c) because he understood him and was friendly
(d) none

Answer : C

Question. How did Mr. Lamb help Derry?
(a) by giving him apples
(b) by talking to him
(c) by helping his mother
(d) by giving him a positive outlook towards life

Answer : D

Question. Why did Mr. Lamb call Derry blessed?
(a) because he was young
(b) because he had a mother
(c) because he had friends
(d) because except a burnt face he had a perfectly healthy body

Answer : D

Question. Which story did Mr. Lamb narrate to Derry?
(a) Cinderella
(b) The Snowman
(c) The Dwarf man
(d) The Beauty and the Beast

Answer : D

Question. What kind of a garden did Mr. Lamb have?
(a) cherry
(b) plum
(c) peach
(d) apple garden

Answer : D

Question. Where was Mr. Lamb's house?
(a) on a tree
(b) on the road
(c) in a street
(d) inside the garden

Answer : D

Question. Why was Derry startled entering the garden?
(a) because of trees
(b) because of apples
(c) because he expected no one else but seeing Mr. Lamb
(d) none

Answer : C

Question. What complex does Derry suffer from?
(a) Superiority
(b) Oedipus
(c) Inferiority
(d) all of the above

Answer : C

Question. How did Derry burn his face?
(a) in a fire
(b) with a gas stove
(c) hot water
(d) acid burnt his face

Answer : D

Question. What does Mr. Lamb grow in his garden?
(a) cherry
(b) peach
(c) pomegranate
(d) apples

Answer : D

Question. How did Mr. Lamb pick apples?
(a) bending down
(b) with the help of his servant
(c) with the help of children
(d) using a ladder and a stick

Answer : D
 

Extract Based Questions:

1. "I don’t like being near people. When they stare....when I see them being afraid of me.”

Question. Why are they being afraid of me?
Answer: Because of his half burnt face

Question. Why do I not like to be near people?
Answer: Because of his sense of insecurity as a result of the acid burn/scared of people‘s reaction.

Question. How does the person on the other side (listener) try to snap out of this mood?
Answer: By telling him about the man who locked himself up in a room to stay safe.

2. "They talk about me. Downstairs, When I’m not there. ‘What’ll he ever do? What’s going to happen to him when we’ve gone?”

Question. Why are they talking about him?
Answer: Because of his half burnt face/ because of their fear as to how he will survive in this world with a half burnt face/anxious about his future.

Question. What is the impact of this talk on him?
Answer: Affects him negatively/brings down his morale/dampen his spirits/make him lose confidence/make him an escapist/forcing him to avoid world.

Question. Who are they?
Answer: Derry‘s parents/ Derry‘s family members

Question. Who are they talking about?
Answer: Derry/Derrek/their son who has got a half burnt face.

3. "Been told. Warned. We’ve not lived here three months, but I know what there is to know and you’re not to go back there.”

Question. Where is the speaker not allowing the person to go to?
Answer: To Mr Lamb‘s house/to the man with a lame leg/Lamb‘s garden.

Question. Why does the speaker say "you‟re not to go back there‟?
Answer: Prejudiced as Mr Lamb is lame. Apprehensive, wants to protect her son.

Question. Who is the speaker?
Answer: Derry‘s mother

Question. Who does the speaker not allow to go to?
Answer: Derry/Derek
 

Short Answer Type Questions:

Question. Derry says that the beast should have stayed a monstrous beast. What has made him say so?‘
Answer: hates the society, prejudiced world, his frustration makes him say that the beast should have stayed a monstrous beast.

Question. How does Mr Lamb try to overcome his loneliness?
Answer: welcoming people to garden (open garden gate), by not shutting things in and out with curtains, watching, listening & thinking, reading books.

Question. Why did Derry insist that he has to go?
Answer: Mr Lamb‘s presence. To not to be with people, escapist, concerned about his half burned face/appearance.

Question. Why did the boy climb the garden wall?
Answer: To enter the garden without getting noticed. Lacks confidence to face people.

Question. Why is Derry‘s mother not allowing him to go to Mr Lamb‘s garden?
Answer: Lame, so people are prejudiced, apprehensive and wants to protect her son.

Question. Why did the boy enter Mr Lamb‘s garden?
Answer: Liked the place, mistook it to be an empty place/no one else was there.

Question. Why do children call him 'Lamey-Lamb‘?
Answer: Lame, physical disability becomes his identity, children, like adults, treat him just as a lame man, forget uniqueness.

Question. How does Mr Lamb spend his time?
Answer: watching, listening & thinking, reading books, spending time in garden.

Long answer questions:

Question. Why is Derry‘s mother hesitant to send her son to Mr Lamb‘s garden?
Answer: Mother – apprehensive – over protective, prejudiced – Mr Lamb is someone to be kept at bay. Despite having a son with disability, mother fails to be empathetic.

Question. Mr Lamb‘s brief association leaves a lasting impression in the mind of Derry, the 14 year old boy. Comment.
Answer: Confident to face the world, comes back to garden to spend time with him, empathetic Mr Lamb

Question. Mr Lamb is able to change the boy because of his empathetic approach. How is it different from the attitude/response of other characters in the play?
Answer: Woman at the bus stop – insensitive
Visitor – does not treat people with disability as individuals, unique
Mother – apprehensive – over protective, prejudiced – Mr Lamb is someone to be kept at bay
Mr Lamb – empathetic for he is also a victim

Question. Derry is an escapist. Elucidate
Answer: Half burned face, lacks confidence, frustrated because of the attitude of the society, people‘s reactions affect him negatively, family does not help him gain confidence, Scared to be with people, gives lame excuses, climbs the wall to avoid catching someone‘s eye. Wants to leave the garden after noticing Mr Lamb, not happy to disclose details, repeatedly tells him that he will not remain Lamb‘s friend. Empathetic Mr Lamb succeeds in making him confident enough to face the world.

Question. Mr Lamb and Derry know that 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. Explain.
Answer: Society‘s harsh treatment, lasting impact
Acid burn – pain for some time but people‘s attitude – negative impact
Losing confidence, trying to escape, frustrated. Hates the world (beast should have stayed a beast).

Question. The callous attitude of the society towards people with disability is the theme of the play. Justify.
Answer: Frustrated boy, half burned face, lacks confidence,
Woman at the bus stop – insensitive
Visitor – does not treat people with disability as individuals, unique
Mother – apprehensive – over protective, prejudiced – Mr Lamb is someone to be kept at bay
Mr Lamb – empathetic for he is also a victim.

Question. How did Mr. Lamb’s meeting with Derry become a turning point in Derry’s life? 

Answer : Both Lamb and Derry handicapped, – Derry in the beginning withdrawn and defiant, – couldn’t stand people staring at him – Lamb open-minded and generous. - – kept garden gate open and welcomed all, – had a positive attitude, taught Derry not to indulge in self-pity/love life, – taught him the ways of dealing with people – Derry confessed to his mother that Lamb talked of things that nobody had ever talked of – things that gave himan optimistic outlook. – Even defied his mother. – Derry’s return to Lamb’s garden shows his appreciation for Lamb/ restored confidence.

 

Question. How did Mr. Lamb try to give courage and confidence to Derry? 

Answer : Welcomed him and accepted him as he was. Told him its important to see how you are on the inside than how you look on the outside--One cannot go through life being scared and alienated- Shouldn’t brood over limitations but count on his blessings- he had brain, legs, tongue, arms and thus was totally functional-this was a blessing-- Enjoy simple joys of everyday living with people around and nature, ignoring the unpleasant-see beauty in bees buzzing or humming-weeds growing-flowers blooming- attitude matters. Individuals make a difference to the problem. Extended unconditional love inspired him with love for life and instilled confidence in him to look at life in an optimistic way. Embrace his burnt face and rise above it.
 

Short Answer Questions:

Q1. Who is Derry? What self-opinion does he hold?

Q2. Mr. Lamb says to Derry; ‘it’s all relative, beauty and the beast’, what essentially does he mean by that?

Q3. What does Derry know about the fairy tale ‘Beauty and the Beast’? Why is he not convinced by its moral?

Q4. Mr. Lamb has successfully learned to cope with his loneliness. How?

Q5. What did Derry’s mothers think of Mr. Lamb?

OR

Why did Derry’s mother stop him, going to Mr. Lamb?

Q6. How does Lamb try to remove the baseless fears of Derry?

Q7. Why does Derek return to Mr Lamb’s garden?

Q8. Explain Mr Lamb’s observation ‘Everything’s the same, but everything is different’

Q9.Why do kids call Mr Lamb ‘Lamey-Lamb’? How does he feel about it?

Q10. Comment on the moral value of the play.