The document discusses the transformative relationship between Derry and Mr. Lamb, highlighting Mr. Lamb's unique compassion that draws Derry towards him. It explores themes of loneliness, the need for empathy over sympathy, and the internal struggles faced by individuals with disabilities. Ultimately, Derry's encounter with Mr. Lamb instills a lasting sense of self-worth and hope, preventing his return to a reclusive life.

1. Chapter – 5
On The Face Of It
Reading with Insight
Question- 1 What is it that draws Derry towards Mr Lamb despite
himself?
Answer:
Mr Lamb is distinct from the others, according to Derry. When Mr
Lamb sees Derry's charred face, he exhibits no surprise or alarm.
Instead, he speaks to him in a caring tone. He extends a warm welcome
to him in his backyard. He offers to help him by picking apples and
making jelly. He refers to him as a friend. He claims that things may
appear to be different on the surface, but they are all the same on the
inside. He uses flowers, trees, plants, and weeds as examples. They may
differ in appearance, but they are all growing live organisms. People
can have diverse outward appearances, yet they are all the same on the
inside. When Mr Lamb hears Derry declare he dislikes some
individuals, he says it can injure him more than any bottle of acid.
Hatred, on the other hand, burns one's insides - the soul. He encourages
Derry to forget about his burned face. He has two arms and legs, as well
as eyes, ears, a tongue, and a brain.
And if he has a strong mind, he will be able to outperform others. Mr
Lamb attracts Derry to himself with such words of encouragement.
Question- 2 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?
Answer:
Although Derry's loneliness is the focus of the play, there are signs of
Mr Lamb's loneliness throughout the first scene. The old guy claims
that he has heard the bees for a "long time" and that they "sing" rather
than buzz. It not only shows how his perception differed from others,
but it also shows that he was lonely because he had no one to
accompany him. Another sign of his loneliness is that he spent the
entire day sitting in the sun reading books. This demonstrates that his

2. only actual buddies were books. He claims that his "empty house" is
full of books, implying that reading filled the hole in his life. When he
mutters to himself that no one comes back to him after the first meeting
at the end of this scenario, it becomes even evidence that he is lonely
and depressed. He also does not anticipate Derry's comeback. He was
so certain Derry would never return that he ascended the ladder himself
to collect all of the apples. Derry, on the other hand, had offered to
assist him after alerting his mother, but the elderly man was unsure of
his return. Ironically, if Derry hadn't returned to fill the need in his own
life, he would have died undetected.
Question- 3. 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?
Answer:
If he is not mocked and punished with cold pity, a person with any
physical handicap can live a life of dignity and honour. Instead of
sympathy, he expects empathy. If everyone looks down on him with a
pessimistic attitude, he may never be able to shake his sadness and, as
a result, retreat to his little world. He's already under a lot of mental and
emotional strain. As a result, he expects others to be understanding
rather than point out his handicap. Derry and Mr Lamb are both caught
in a similar scenario in the play. Mr Lamb, as an adult, is capable of
dealing with such issues, but Derry, as a youngster, is unable to unravel
this web on his own. He takes a liking to this elderly man because he
said the words to someone who was going through the same
humiliation. The old man assumed the child would want to hear him.
Question-4 Will Derry get back to his old seclusion or will Mr Lamb’s
brief association affect a change in the kind of life he will lead in the
future?
Answer:
No, Derry will not return to his seclusion. Derry's brief relationship
with Mr Lamb increased his self-esteem and taught him to value
himself. Derry underwent a remarkable transformation as a result of the

3. elderly man's teaching him the significance of being self-sufficient,
appreciating oneself, and holding on to hope. He tells his mother that
his appearance is unimportant because of his newfound self-esteem,
and he begins to believe in his abilities rather than his appearance. Mr
Lamb's death is unlikely to bring him back to his reclusive existence.
This significant shift in him is irreversible and will not be undone by
setbacks.