Question

People with physical impairments deserve acceptance, not sympathy. How does the play ‘On The Face Of It’ advocate the above philosophy through the characters of Mr. Lamb and Derry.

Hint:

• Contrast Derry’s focus on his "burnt face" with Mr. Lamb’s focus on the "mind" and the "world."
• Use the "weeds and flowers" metaphor to explain the concept of universal equality.
• Highlight that sympathy emphasizes "disability," while acceptance emphasizes "ability."

Answer 1

Concept:
• Susan Hill’s play explores the psychological impact of physical deformities and the social isolation that often accompanies them.
• It highlights the distinction between "sympathy" (which can be condescending and alienating) and "acceptance" (which is inclusive and empowering).
• The encounter between a bitter young boy and an optimistic old man serves as a transformative lesson in self-worth.

Step 1: Analyze Derry’s initial psychological state and his reaction to social pity
Derry is a fourteen-year-old boy with a face badly scarred by acid. He lives in a state of perpetual bitterness, believing that people are either afraid of his face or merely pretend to feel sorry for him. To Derry, sympathy is a reminder of his abnormality; he hates the "kind" remarks people make because they feel like lies. He withdraws into isolation to avoid the "looks" of others, showing how the lack of genuine acceptance can damage a person's spirit.

Step 2: Examine Mr. Lamb’s non-judgmental and accepting approach
Mr. Lamb, who has a tin leg due to a war injury, presents a complete contrast to Derry. He does not greet Derry with shock or pity. Instead, he treats Derry’s intrusion into his garden as a normal, welcome event. By focusing on things like "weeds" being just as much "living things" as flowers, he teaches Derry that physical appearance does not define one’s essence. Lamb’s acceptance is rooted in the philosophy that "everything is the same... but everything is different," encouraging Derry to look at the world, not just his reflection.

Step 3: Evaluate the shift from self-pity to empowerment through their interaction
Mr. Lamb challenges Derry’s self-imposed prison by pointing out that he has "two arms, two legs, and eyes and ears... and a tongue and a brain." He urges Derry to stop waiting for people to change and instead change his own perspective. The "acceptance" Lamb offers is a tough, realistic one—he tells Derry that he can get on "better than all the rest" if he chooses to. This shifts the narrative from Derry being a victim of his face to being the master of his own life.

Step 4: Conclude how the play emphasizes shared humanity over pity
The play concludes that what people with impairments need is not a "special" status or pitying glances, but to be treated as ordinary members of society. By the end, Derry is no longer bothered by his face; he runs back to Mr. Lamb because he has finally found a place where he is accepted for who he is, not judged for how he looks. The philosophy is clear: sympathy keeps the "wall" up between people, but acceptance breaks it down.