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Shama Sherwani:, , On The Face of It, , Short Answer Type Questions, , Question 1., , What qualities of Mr. Lamb attracted Derry to him?, Answer:, , Derry suffers from a terrible complex. But his meeting with Mr. Lamb is a turning point in his life., He gives confidence to Derry and encourages him to develop a positive attitude towards life., Derry’s life now has a new meaning and purpose and for this all the credit goes to Mr. Lamb’s, motivation and words of encouragement., , Question 2., What did Derry’s mother think of Mr. Lamb?, Answer:, , Derry’s mother did not think very highly of Mr. Lamb and claimed to have heard not really good, things about him. She had been told and warned by people about Mr. Lamb and so she tells, Derry not to go back to him. She also tried to hold him back but he does go back to Mr. Lamb., , Question 3., What consolation did people give when they saw his acid burnt face?, Answer:, , Derry’s face was burnt by acid on one side. When people saw Derry’s acid burnt face they tried, to console him by telling him fairy tales. They said that it was not important what he looked like., , Derry knew that people lied and showed sympathy only to comfort him and that he would not, change and would continue to look like a ‘monstrous beast’., , Question 4., , Mr. Lamb told Derry the story of a man who hid himself in his room. Why did the man do so and, with what result?, , Answer:, , Mr. Lamb told Derry the incident of a timid man who hid himself in his room and refused to, come out lest he should meet some fatal accident. But, ironically, he died in his room itself
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because a picture hanging on the wall fell off it, landed on his head and killed him., Question 5., , Why does Mr. Lamb leave his gate always open?, , Answer:, , Mr. Lamb always keeps his gate open because he does not mind strangers entering his house,, He is an extremely social person and is ever ready to welcome anyone who enters his garden., , Question 6., How does Mr. Lamb keep himself busy when it is a bit cool?, Answer:, , When it gets a bit cool Mr. Lamb pulls down the ripe crab apples from the trees with the help of, a ladder and a stick. He then makes jelly from them as that is a good time of the year to pick, and make jelly out of orange and golden crab apples., , Question 7., What peculiar things does Derry notice about the old man, Lamb?, Answer:, , Derry thinks that the old man. Mr. Lamb, is peculiar and says peculiar things. Derry notices that, although Mr. Lamb talks about his friends he has not seen anyone visiting the old man, who, lives all by himself. Even when he asks Mr. Lamb to name his friends, Mr. Lamb fails to give him, any name. Mr. Lamb refuses to admit his loneliness. Also he asks Derry questions he does not, understand. There are no curtains at the windows in his house. He likes the light and darkness, and hears the wind with the window open., , Question 8., Who was Derry? What did he suffer from?, Answer:, , Derry is a complex-ridden fourteen year old boy. He is a victim of inferiority complex after acid, accidently spilled and burnt one side of his face. His handicap has filled him with bitterness and, so Derry suffers more on account of the pain that his own views of how everyone hates him,, causes him., , Question 9., , If you were to give a different ending to the story, ‘On The Face of It’ how would you end it?
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Answer:, , | would rather want the story ‘On the Face of It’ to end with a happy reunion between Mr. Lamb, and Derry wherein the two become good friends with one another. Mr. Lamb should continue to, influence Derry positively and put him in a position where he is able to befriend others despite, his handicap., , Question 10., As told by Mr. Lamb, why did a man lock himself up in his room and what happened to him?, Answer:, , The man locked himself up in his room as he was afraid of everything in this world. So he went, into his room and locked the do or, got into his bed and stayed there. Finally a picture fell off the, wall on to his head and killed him., , Question 11., In what sense is the friendship between Mr. Lamb and Derry fruitful?, Answer:, , After his meeting with Mr. Lamb, Derry is gradually able to shed his complexes and rediscover, the joys of life. Mr. Lamb gives confidence and motivates him to move forward in life. Derry’s, short interaction with Mr. Lamb leaves an indelible imprint on the young boy's mind and his, attitude towards life undergoes a drastic change., , Question 12., Why did Mr. Lamb help Derry?, Answer:, , Mr. Lamb and Derry are united by the bond of loneliness and alienation they share on account of, their physical disabilities. Mr. Lamb lost a leg in the war and has a tin leg while Derry has an acid, burn on one side of his face. Mr. Lamb inspires Derry by telling him not to focus on the, shortcomings of life and his handicap and instead he should try to enjoy the blessings of life. He, persuades him to develop a positive attitude and move forward in life., , Question 13., Why did Derry insist that he would go back to Mr. Lamb?, Answer:, , Derry insisted that he would go back to Mr. Lamb as he opened a new world of thought and, wisdom for Derry. Derry was comfortable and happy in Mr. Lamb’s company and completely
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forgot his handicap. He felt he too could live an independent life as he had all his faculties intact., Question 14., , How did Derry’s handicap damage his life?, , Answer:, , Due to his handicap, his burnt face, Derry suffered from an acute lack of self-regard and, rejection. He did not like being with people because they constantly reminded him of his, ugliness and so he stayed away from them. He felt he was too ugly to be liked and loved by, anyone so he became a recluse., , Question 15., Why does Derry stay away from people?, Answer:, , Derry suffers from an acute sense of complex after one side of his face got burnt by acid. He, stays away from people who constantly remind him of his ugliness. He does not like to see, people shirking from him because he is ugly. He feels rejected and unwanted., , Question 16., What does Mr. lamb try to tell Derry through the example of a weed and a flower?, Answer:, , Through the example of a weed and a flower Mr. Lamb speaks against discrimination and the, futility of appearance. He tells Derry that people should have a broader perception and positive, attitude towards life. He does not want Derry to feel an outcast so he says all living things are, the same and should be given respect., , Question 17., How does Mr. Lamb react when Derry enters his garden?, Answer:, , Mr. Lamb realizes that Derry is startled by his presence in the garden. So he tries to pacify the, young lad with his reassuring and kind words. He tells Derry that he does not mind strangers, entering his garden and so Derry should not be afraid of anything.
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Question 18., Who was Derry? What problems did he have?, Answer:, , Derry is a complex-ridden fourteen year old boy. He is a victim of inferiority complex after acid, accidentally spilled and burnt one side of his face. His handicap has filled him with bitterness, and so Derry suffers more on account of the pain that his own views of how everyone hates him,, causes him. Mr. Lamb has a garden that is full of fruits, flowers and trees and herbs of all sorts., He likes his garden because it attracts young children and he gets a sense of pleasure in pulling, down the ripe crab apples from the trees and making jelly for the children who visit his garden., , Long Answer Type Questions, , Question 19., , How did Mr. Lamb try to give courage and confidence to Derry?, Answer:, , Derry suffers from an acute sense of self-hatred and rejection because of his burnt face. He, feels he is very ugly because of which no one will ever love him. Mr. Lamb too has heard Derry, only complain and bemoan about himself. He feels very sad to see a fourteen year old boy, giving up on life just because of his physical disability. Mr. Lamb at first startles Derry with his, strange talk. He tells Derry he is interested in everything created by God. His encouraging words, have a magical effect on Derry. Mr. Lamb’s conversation that everyone and everything is, essentially the same, the notion of beauty is relative and his concept of the world and friendship, baffle but appeal to Derry and he gets fascinated by the old man. Slowly he sheds his complex, about his ugliness and rediscovers the joys of life., , Question 20., , The lesson, ‘On The Face of It’, is an apt depiction of the loneliness and sense of alienation, experienced by people on account of a disability. Explain., , Answer:, , The lesson ‘On the Face of It’ aptly depicts the loneliness and sense of alienation experienced, by Derry and Mr. Lamb on account of a disability. The actual pain and inconvenience caused by, the disabilities is often much less than the sense of alienation felt by the disabled person. Derry, suffered from severe negative complexes because of his burnt face. He became a pessimistic, loner who indulged in self pity and was always suspicious of the intention of others. His anger, and frustration made him withdrawn and an introvert. Mr. Lamb, on the other hand, was inwardly, a loner who craved for company and acceptance. Though outwardly he was always jovial,, outgoing and optimistic, he was an extremely sensitive person. Derry and Mr. Lamb’s physical
