On the Face of It is a touching play about two lonely people who are judged by their appearance. The story shows how society often looks only at the outside (face value) of a person and ignores their feelings and personality.
The play mainly focuses on the friendship between a teenage boy named Derry and an old man named Mr. Lamb. Both characters are physically different from others, but their attitudes toward life are very different.
Beginning of the Story
The play begins in the garden of Mr. Lamb, an old man who lives alone in a large house. His garden is full of trees, flowers, bees, and apples, and he spends most of his time there.
One day, a fourteen-year-old boy named Derry secretly enters the garden. He climbs over the wall because he thinks the house is empty. Derry does not want anyone to see him because half of his face is badly burned by acid. Because of this, he believes people dislike him and feel afraid of him.
While Derry is in the garden, Mr. Lamb suddenly appears. Derry becomes frightened and thinks the old man will scold him for entering without permission. But Mr. Lamb calmly tells him that the garden is open to everyone and that he does not mind visitors.
Derry's Feelings and Problems
During their conversation, Derry reveals his pain and frustration.
He says people stare at his burned face.
Children call him "ugly" and make fun of him.
Even adults feel uncomfortable around him.
Because of this, he prefers staying alone and avoiding people.
Derry believes his life is ruined because of his appearance. He thinks no one will ever truly like him.
He also tells Mr. Lamb that he once overheard a woman saying that his face looked terrible and that she felt sorry for him. These words hurt him deeply.
Mr. Lamb's Character and Philosophy
Mr. Lamb is also physically different. He has only one leg, which he lost in the war. He uses a tin leg to walk. However, unlike Derry, Mr. Lamb does not feel bitter about life.
Mr. Lamb believes that:
Physical appearance does not define a person.
Everyone should enjoy life and nature.
It is wrong to isolate oneself from the world.
He tells Derry that people often judge others "on the face of it", meaning they judge only by what they see on the surface.
Mr. Lamb gives many examples to explain his philosophy. For instance, he talks about crab apples in his garden. Some people dislike them because they taste sour, but he still values them because they are useful for making jelly. Through this example, he explains that everything has its own value, even if it seems unpleasant at first.
Mr. Lamb's Loneliness
Although Mr. Lamb seems cheerful, he is also very lonely. People rarely visit him because they feel uncomfortable around his disability.
However, instead of becoming bitter, he keeps his garden open for everyone. He believes that friendship and conversation are important for happiness.
He enjoys talking about nature, bees, apples, and the beauty of life.
Derry Begins to Change
As the conversation continues, Derry slowly begins to change his attitude.
For the first time, someone speaks to him without pity or fear. Mr. Lamb treats him like a normal person.
Mr. Lamb encourages Derry to:
Stop hiding from the world
Meet people
Live life fully
Ignore negative comments
These words inspire Derry. He starts feeling hopeful and excited about life.
For the first time, he feels that someone understands him.
Derry Leaves the Garden
After some time, Derry says he must go home because his mother will worry. Before leaving, he promises Mr. Lamb that he will come back.
Mr. Lamb happily agrees and continues working in the garden.
Conflict with Derry's Mother
When Derry returns home, his mother becomes worried and angry because he was talking to a stranger.
She warns him about Mr. Lamb and says he should not trust people. She tries to stop Derry from going back.
But now Derry feels confident and determined. He tells his mother that he wants to go back to Mr. Lamb's garden because he enjoyed talking to him.
This shows that Derry has started gaining self-confidence.
The Tragic Ending
Derry runs back to the garden to meet Mr. Lamb again.
However, when he arrives, he sees something shocking.
Mr. Lamb had been climbing a ladder to collect apples from a tree. Because of his artificial leg, he loses balance and falls from the ladder.
When Derry reaches him, Mr. Lamb is lying on the ground, motionless.
Derry calls out to him again and again, but there is no response.
The play ends with Derry standing beside Mr. Lamb, realizing that the only person who truly understood him may be gone forever.
Themes of the Play
1. Judging by Appearance
People often judge others based only on looks, ignoring their feelings and abilities.
2. Loneliness
Both Derry and Mr. Lamb are lonely because society treats them differently.
3. Positive Attitude
Mr. Lamb teaches that life should be lived positively despite difficulties.
4. Self-Acceptance
Derry learns that he should accept himself and face the world confidently.
Character Sketch
Derry
A sensitive and insecure teenage boy
Has a burned face
Feels rejected by society
Slowly becomes hopeful and confident
Mr. Lamb
An old man with a wooden leg
Wise, kind, and optimistic
Loves nature and life
Teaches important life lessons
Main Message of the Story:
The play teaches us that true beauty lies in a person's thoughts and character, not in physical appearance. We should not judge people "on the face of it."