Question:
Give a character-sketch of Mr. Lamb on the basis of the play 'On the Face of It'.
Give a character-sketch of Mr. Lamb on the basis of the play 'On the Face of It'.
Updated On: Sep 24, 2026
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Context:
'On the Face of It' by Susan Hill is a play about Derry, a teenage boy disfigured by acid, and Mr. Lamb, an elderly man with an artificial leg who lives alone in a garden open to all.
Step 2: His character traits:
Mr. Lamb is an optimistic, warm-hearted, and philosophical old man who refuses to be defined by his own physical disability. Unlike others, he never pities Derry for his disfigured face; instead, he treats him as a normal, capable individual, encouraging Derry to embrace life fully rather than hide from the world out of shame or fear.
Step 3: His impact on Derry:
Through his open garden (symbolising his open mind and open heart), his stories of bees and his own accident, and his refusal to see himself as a victim, Mr. Lamb gently helps Derry begin to overcome his self-pity and fear of the world's judgment, before Mr. Lamb's own sudden death at the play's end.
Final Answer:
Mr. Lamb is portrayed as a wise, life-affirming, and compassionate old man whose own acceptance of his disability inspires Derry to face the world with courage rather than shame.
'On the Face of It' by Susan Hill is a play about Derry, a teenage boy disfigured by acid, and Mr. Lamb, an elderly man with an artificial leg who lives alone in a garden open to all.
Step 2: His character traits:
Mr. Lamb is an optimistic, warm-hearted, and philosophical old man who refuses to be defined by his own physical disability. Unlike others, he never pities Derry for his disfigured face; instead, he treats him as a normal, capable individual, encouraging Derry to embrace life fully rather than hide from the world out of shame or fear.
Step 3: His impact on Derry:
Through his open garden (symbolising his open mind and open heart), his stories of bees and his own accident, and his refusal to see himself as a victim, Mr. Lamb gently helps Derry begin to overcome his self-pity and fear of the world's judgment, before Mr. Lamb's own sudden death at the play's end.
Final Answer:
Mr. Lamb is portrayed as a wise, life-affirming, and compassionate old man whose own acceptance of his disability inspires Derry to face the world with courage rather than shame.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Top UP Board XII English Questions
- Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
It is clear that language is used for more than one purpose. The man who hits his thumb nails with a hammer and utters a string of curses is using language to relieve his feeling and needs no audience but himself. But when a philosopher uses language to clarify his ideas on a subject, he is using it as an instrument of thought. When two women gossip over the fence or two men exchange greetings as they pass in the street, language is being used to strengthen the bonds between the members of society. Language, it seems, is a multipurpose instrument. One function, however, seems to be basic — language enables us to influence people's behaviour and thereby makes human co-operation possible. Some animals co-operate especially the social animals like bees and ants, but human co-operation is more thorough, more detailed, more effective than that found anywhere in the animal kingdom. The human co-operation would be unthinkable without language.
(a) Why does the man, who hits his thumb-nails with a hammer, talk to himself? - Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
It is clear that language is used for more than one purpose. The man who hits his thumb nails with a hammer and utters a string of curses is using language to relieve his feeling and needs no audience but himself. But when a philosopher uses language to clarify his ideas on a subject, he is using it as an instrument of thought. When two women gossip over the fence or two men exchange greetings as they pass in the street, language is being used to strengthen the bonds between the members of society. Language, it seems, is a multipurpose instrument. One function, however, seems to be basic — language enables us to influence people's behaviour and thereby makes human co-operation possible. Some animals co-operate especially the social animals like bees and ants, but human co-operation is more thorough, more detailed, more effective than that found anywhere in the animal kingdom. The human co-operation would be unthinkable without language.
(b) For what purpose does a philosopher use language? - Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
It is clear that language is used for more than one purpose. The man who hits his thumb nails with a hammer and utters a string of curses is using language to relieve his feeling and needs no audience but himself. But when a philosopher uses language to clarify his ideas on a subject, he is using it as an instrument of thought. When two women gossip over the fence or two men exchange greetings as they pass in the street, language is being used to strengthen the bonds between the members of society. Language, it seems, is a multipurpose instrument. One function, however, seems to be basic — language enables us to influence people's behaviour and thereby makes human co-operation possible. Some animals co-operate especially the social animals like bees and ants, but human co-operation is more thorough, more detailed, more effective than that found anywhere in the animal kingdom. The human co-operation would be unthinkable without language.
(c) For what purpose do the two women and two men use language? - Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
It is clear that language is used for more than one purpose. The man who hits his thumb nails with a hammer and utters a string of curses is using language to relieve his feeling and needs no audience but himself. But when a philosopher uses language to clarify his ideas on a subject, he is using it as an instrument of thought. When two women gossip over the fence or two men exchange greetings as they pass in the street, language is being used to strengthen the bonds between the members of society. Language, it seems, is a multipurpose instrument. One function, however, seems to be basic — language enables us to influence people's behaviour and thereby makes human co-operation possible. Some animals co-operate especially the social animals like bees and ants, but human co-operation is more thorough, more detailed, more effective than that found anywhere in the animal kingdom. The human co-operation would be unthinkable without language.
(d) "Is language a multipurpose instrument?" Answer it on the basis of the given paragraph. - Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
It is clear that language is used for more than one purpose. The man who hits his thumb nails with a hammer and utters a string of curses is using language to relieve his feeling and needs no audience but himself. But when a philosopher uses language to clarify his ideas on a subject, he is using it as an instrument of thought. When two women gossip over the fence or two men exchange greetings as they pass in the street, language is being used to strengthen the bonds between the members of society. Language, it seems, is a multipurpose instrument. One function, however, seems to be basic — language enables us to influence people's behaviour and thereby makes human co-operation possible. Some animals co-operate especially the social animals like bees and ants, but human co-operation is more thorough, more detailed, more effective than that found anywhere in the animal kingdom. The human co-operation would be unthinkable without language.
(i) Find out the word from the passage which means 'Speaks'.
(ii) Which word in the passage means 'Powerful' or 'Successful'?
(iii) Which word in the passage is the opposite of 'Aggravate'?
View More Questions
Top UP Board XII Prose Questions
- What did Dr. Sadao do to ensure the safe exit of the American soldier?
- Describe the environment of Antarctica.
- What was the third level? Where was it situated?
- What was the astrologer’s prediction about the Tiger King’s death?
- Answer the following questions in about 40 words each: What happened when church-clock struck twelve?
View More Questions
Top UP Board XII Questions
- In which one of the following States of India is the density of population the highest?
- Which one of the following States of India has the largest urban population?
- Which one of the following States is not related to the production of mineral oil?
- Which one of the following sea ports is located on the eastern coast of India?
- What is meant by ‘Humanisation of Nature’?
View More Questions