Class 12 English (Supplementary Reader)|Chapter – 6|On The Face Of It: Welcome to bodotutor.com ! Here you will get complete Class 12 English notes based on the AHSEC|ASSEB syllabus. We are starting with Class 12 Chapter – 6: On The Face Of It, and we’ll continue to provide clear, easy-to-understand notes for every chapter to help you in your exams. Stay connected for regular updates and more study materials!

Class 12 English (Supplementary Reader)|Chapter – 6|On The Face Of It
Answer the Following Questions:
1. Who is Mr. Lamb?
Ans: Mr. Lamb is an old man with a tin leg who lives alone and has a garden.
2. How does Derry enter Mr. Lamb’s garden?
Ans: Derry climbs over the garden wall.
3. Why is Derry withdrawn and defiant?
Ans: Derry suffers from an inferiority complex due to his burnt face, which makes people avoid or pity him.
4. What kind of apples does Mr. Lamb grow?
Ans: He grows crab apples and makes jelly from them.
5. How did Mr. Lamb lose his leg?
Ans: He lost his leg in a war due to a bomb blast.
6. What does Mr. Lamb say about weeds?
Ans: Mr. Lamb says weeds are also life and questions why they are not valued like other plants.
7. Why doesn’t Derry like people staring at him?
Ans: Because he believes they see only his disfigured face and pity or fear him.
8. What message does Mr. Lamb try to give Derry?
Ans: He encourages Derry to look beyond physical appearances and live life positively.
9. What does Derry’s mother think about Mr. Lamb?
Ans: She is suspicious and disapproves of Derry meeting Mr. Lamb.
10. What happens to Mr. Lamb at the end of the play?
Ans: Mr. Lamb falls from a ladder while plucking apples and presumably dies.
Fill in the Blanks:
1. Derry’s face was burnt by __________.
Ans: Acid.
2. Mr. Lamb makes __________ from crab apples.
Ans: Jelly.
3. Mr. Lamb calls the weeds in his garden __________.
Ans: Life.
4. Derry says only his __________ kisses him, and only on the other side.
Ans: Mother.
5. Mr. Lamb lost his leg in the __________.
Ans: War.
True or False
1. Derry likes meeting new people.
Ans: False.
2. Mr. Lamb keeps his gate closed to avoid strangers.
Ans: False.
3. Mr. Lamb says bees hum and not buzz.
Ans: True.
4. Derry’s mother encourages him to visit Mr. Lamb again.
Ans: False.
5. Mr. Lamb dies at the end of the story.
Ans: True.
Long Type Questions and Answers:
1. Describe the character of Mr. Lamb.
Ans: Mr. Lamb is an optimistic and kind-hearted old man with a tin leg, living alone in a house with an open garden. He believes in living life fully despite physical limitations. He treats everyone equally, including Derry, and helps him overcome his self-doubt.
2. Describe the character of Derry.
Ans: Derry is a teenage boy with a burnt face due to an acid accident. He is reclusive, insecure, and deeply affected by how society views his appearance. His encounter with Mr. Lamb initiates a change in his attitude.
3. What message does the story “On the Face of It” convey?
Ans: The story promotes the idea of acceptance, empathy, and looking beyond physical appearances. It conveys that inner beauty and confidence matter more than external looks.
4. How does Mr. Lamb help Derry change his outlook?
Ans: Mr. Lamb treats Derry like a normal boy and talks about the beauty of life, encouraging him to be confident, social, and not be ashamed of his scars. He helps Derry see value in himself.
5. What is the role of Derry’s mother in the story?
Ans: Derry’s mother represents the protective but narrow view of society. She discourages Derry from interacting with Mr. Lamb, fearing the unknown, and reflects how society isolates the physically challenged.
6. What are the major themes of the play?
Ans: The play explores themes like isolation, disability, acceptance, hope, inner beauty, and the human need for companionship.
7. How does the play end? What is its impact?
Ans: The play ends tragically with Mr. Lamb falling from a ladder and possibly dying. Derry’s return shows his transformation, but the ending leaves a powerful message about lost chances and how people delay action.
8. How is the meeting between Mr. Lamb and Derry significant?
Ans: Their meeting becomes a turning point in Derry’s life. Mr. Lamb’s wisdom and warmth change Derry’s perception of life, encouraging him to break out of his shell and embrace the world.
9. Comment on the significance of the title “On the Face of It”.
Ans: The title “On the Face of It” is metaphorical. Literally, it refers to Derry’s burnt face, which causes him social rejection. Figuratively, it critiques society’s superficial judgment based on appearances. It suggests that things are not always what they seem, and true worth lies beneath the surface.
10. What does Mr. Lamb’s open gate symbolize?
Ans: It symbolizes openness, acceptance, and inclusiveness. Mr. Lamb’s welcoming nature contrasts with the closed mindset of society.
11. Why is Derry’s return to Mr. Lamb important?
Ans: It symbolizes his emotional growth and decision to face the world with confidence, breaking free from his fears and insecurities.




