Exploring Susan Hill's Play 'On the Face of It'
Susan Hill, born in 1942, is an English author known for works like "The Woman in Black." Her play "On the Face of It" presents the story of Derry, an acid attack victim, and Mr. Lamb, an amputee, showcasing their contrasting perspectives on life. The play emphasizes themes of communication, self-confidence, and empathy towards physically challenged individuals.
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ON THE FACE OF IT ON THE FACE OF IT Susan Hill Susan Hill was born on 5 February 1942 in Scarborough, England. is an English author of fiction and non-fiction works. Her novels include The Woman in Black, The Mist in the Mirror, and I'm the King of the Castle, for which she received the Somerset Maugham Award in 1971. She was educated at Scarborough Convent School and at grammar school in Coventry. Her first novel, The Enclosure, was published in 1961 when she was still a student. She worked as a freelance journalist between 1963 and 1968, publishing her third novel, Ladies, in 1968. She became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 1972 and was a presenter of BBC Radio 4's 'Bookshelf' from 1986 to 1987. Gentleman and
ON THE FACE OF IT ON THE FACE OF IT Susan Hill OBJECTIVES OBJECTIVES : : Thematic appreciation Thematic appreciation Appreciation of play as a powerful medium of communication, reformation Appreciation of play as a powerful medium of communication, reformation Writing a one act play Writing a one act play Developing communication skills Developing communication skills Appreciation of values viz. patience, positive attitude, courage Appreciation of values viz. patience, positive attitude, courage Developing self Developing self- -confidence, inter confidence, inter- -personal skills through role play personal skills through role play Enhancing vocabulary Enhancing vocabulary
ON THE FACE OF IT ON THE FACE OF IT Susan Hill Previous Previous knowledge knowledge : : a. Have you ever talked to a physically challenged person? a. Have you ever talked to a physically challenged person? b. What is your impression of a physically impaired person? b. What is your impression of a physically impaired person? c. What are the problems faced by a physically impaired person? c. What are the problems faced by a physically impaired person? d. How does a physically challenged person want others to treat him/her? d. How does a physically challenged person want others to treat him/her?
ON THE FACE OF IT ON THE FACE OF IT Susan Hill Introduction Introduction : : The play depicts two individuals, who meet unfortunate odds but develop different attitudes while facing those odds. The two persons are Derry, a young acid-attack victim and Mr Lamb a much older man who lost his limb in a blast. Through the contrast in the outlook of both these survivor, the author tries to create a tale of overcoming odds and seemingly insurmountable difficulties and retaining hope in the ability to find happiness.
ON THE FACE OF IT ON THE FACE OF IT Susan Hill The The play impaired impaired. . play depicts depicts beautifully beautifully yet yet grimly grimly the the sad sad world world of of the the physically physically It It is is not impairment impairment that around around him him. . not the the actual actual pain that trouble trouble a a disabled pain or or inconvenience inconvenience caused disabled man man but caused by the attitude attitude of of the by a a physical physical the people but the people Two Two physically physically impaired a a burnt burnt face, face, strike impaired people, strike a a band band of of friendship people, Mr friendship. . Mr. . Lamb Lamb with with a a tin tin leg leg and and Derry Derry with with Derry Derry is is described described as as a a young young boy boy shy, shy, withdrawn withdrawn and and defiant defiant. . Video link - https://youtu.be/dQUHZdiPdf8 Audio Link - https://youtu.be/51JRuowYohw
ON THE FACE OF IT ON THE FACE OF IT Susan Hill Theme Positive attitude towards life Sub-Theme Facing the most uninvited challenges of life Plot Derry s seclusion Mr Lamb and garden How Mr Lamb succeeds in changing Derry Mr Lamb s lamentation- his death Derry s mother and the society at large - change in Derry Characters - Derry: a boy of 14 with a burnt face, looks ugly, loner, pessimistic, suffered from severe negative complexes, anger and frustration, withdrawn and introverted, low confidence, indulged in self pity, suspicious of the intent of others - Mr. Lamb: an Old man with a tin leg, lonely, craved for company and acceptance, jovial, optimistic, lover of nature, social, outgoing, tolerant, helpful, sensitive, independent, didn t mind children calling him Lamely Lamb or picking the Crab apples. - Derry s mother
ON THE FACE OF IT ON THE FACE OF IT Susan Hill Key points : Key points : Mr Lamb s garden Derry s entry Conversation between them Derry wants to leave the place Mr Lamb s hospitality Derry s defiance Derry s perception about others Mr. Lamb revives the almost dead feelings of Derry towards life. Derry s face burnt by acid He motivates him to think positively about life How kids tease Mr Lamb Leg blown off in war His positive attitude Everything appears to be the same but is different- e.g. weeds garden The story of the beauty and the beast
ON THE FACE OF IT ON THE FACE OF IT Susan Hill Key points : Key points : Derry s concern - people fussing, showing pity Motivation by Mr Lamb- bees buzzing Accepting realities of life Not paying heed to gossip Derry influenced by Mr Lamb s peculiar sayings Derry s acceptance of Mr Lamb s friendship Story of the fear stricken man who locked himself Mr Lamb continues to motivate Derry Derry s liking for Mr Lamb Mr Lamb s views on those who come to his garden Mr Lamb s emphasis on the consequence of hatred Acid ruined Derry s Face Hatred would ruin his life How Mr Lamb enjoyed himself- listening, watching
ON THE FACE OF IT ON THE FACE OF IT Susan Hill Key points : Key points : Derry s affiliation to Mr Lamb Derry leaves for home Derry is inspired and promises to come back. Mr Lamb s loneliness Derry s mother warns him against his visit to the garden Derry comes back to the garden Mr Lamb found dead When he searches a new foothold to live happily, he finds Mr. Lamb dead In this way the play depicts the heart rendering life of physically disabled people with their loneliness, aloofness and alienation.
ON THE FACE OF IT ON THE FACE OF IT Questions to test comprehension : Questions to test comprehension : 1. How did Derry enter Mr Lamb s Garden? 2. Why did Mr Lamb ask Derry to be careful? 3. How did Derry react when he saw Mr Lamb? 4. How did Mr Lamb welcome Derry? 5. What is your impression of Mr Lamb? 6. Why did Derry enter Mr Lamb s garden? 7. How did Derry react to Mr Lamb s hospitality? 8. What is Derry s problem? 9. How does Mr Lamb try to change his attitude? 10. How does Mr Lamb react when kids call him lamey Lamb? 11. Why was Derry worried? 12. Why did Mr Lamb keep his house opened? 13. What did the people say about Derry s face? 14. How does Mr Lamb accept life? 15. How does he advise Derry? 16. Why does Mr Lamb ask Derry not to pay heed to people s sayings? 17. Does Derry like what Mr Lamb says to him? Why/Why not? 18. Why does Mr Lamb tell Derry the story of the fear-stricken man who locked himself in his own house? 19. How does Derry react to that? 20. What made Derry change his attitude to Mr Lamb? 21. Cite examples from the play to prove that Derry had changed his attitude towards Mr Lamb?
ON THE FACE OF IT ON THE FACE OF IT Questions to test comprehension : Questions to test comprehension : 22. Why did the man lock himself in his own house? 23. How did Mr Lamb differentiate the ruin caused by acid and hatred? 24. How did Mr Lamb enjoy his life? 25. How does Mr Lamb motivate Derry? 26. What was its impact on Derry? 27. Justify the title of the play. 28. Despite their disabilities, both Mr. Lamb and Derry look at life differently. 29. Elucidate with examples from the play. 30. Although the play ends tragically, it suggests an optimistic vision, a ray of hope. Discuss. 31. The play is an apt depiction of the loneliness and the sense of alienation experienced by people on account of a disability. Discuss. 32. What is it that draws Derry towards Mr. Lamb in spite of himself? 33. Draw a character sketch of Mr. Lamb. 34. In which section of the play does Mr Lamb display signs of loneliness and disappointment? What are the ways in which Mr Lamb tries to overcome these feelings? 35. 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. What is the kind of behaviour that the person expects from others? 36. Will Derry get back to his old seclusion or will Mr Lamb s brief association effect a change in the kind of life he will lead in the future?
