Class 12 English Chapter 21 On The Face of It Question Answer to each chapter is provided in the list so that you can easily browse through different chapters Assam Board Class 12 English Chapter 21 On The Face of It and select needs one.
Class 12 English Chapter 21 On The Face of It
Also, you can read the SCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per SCERT (CBSE) Book guidelines. These solutions are part of SCERT All Subject Solutions. Here we have given Assam Board Class 12 English Chapter 21 On The Face of It Solutions for All Subjects, You can practice these here.
On The Face of It
Lesson – 21
VISTAS (SUPPLEMENTARY)
READ AND FIND OUT |
Page No- 56
1. Who is Mr. Lamb? How does Derry get into his garden?
Ans: Mr. Lamb is an old man with a tin leg. His real leg was blown off years ago during the war.
Mr. Lamb is sitting in his garden when Derry climbs over the garden wall to get into his garden. Though the gate is open, the boy does not use it.
READ AND FIND OUT |
Page No – 62
1. Do you think all this will change Derry’s attitude towards Mr. Lamb?
Ans: Derry’s burnt face made him a subject of ridicule. Though people expressed sympathy, it was often superficial and lacked genuine warmth. This led to his pessimistic outlook on life, making him believe that everyone detested and despised him. In contrast, Mr. Lamb neither pitied him nor treated him differently. Instead, he saw Derry as an equal and welcomed him into his garden. Through his words and attitude, he encouraged the boy to embrace life with joy and self-acceptance. Initially, Derry viewed the old man as just like everyone else, but over time, he grew to respect and appreciate him for his wisdom and kindness.
READING WITH INSIGHT |
1. What is it that draws Derry towards Mr. Lamb inspite of himself?
Ans: Derry finds Mr. Lamb different from everyone else. Unlike others, Mr. Lamb does not react with shock or fear upon seeing Derry’s burned face. Instead, he speaks to him with warmth and kindness, welcoming him into his garden. He even offers to pluck apples and make jelly for him, calling him a friend. He explains that while things may appear different on the outside, they are essentially the same on the inside. To illustrate this, he points to flowers, trees, herbs, and weeds. They may look different, but they are all living, growing beings. Similarly, people can have different looks, but inwardly they are all the same. Derry says that he hates some people. At this, Mr. Lamb says that it can do him more harm than any bottle of acid. Acid burns only the face, but hatred burns one away inside. He tells Derry never to think of his burned face. He has two arms, two legs, eyes, ears, tongue and a brain. And if he has a firm mind, he can do better than others. It is by such words of encouragement that Mr. Lamb draws Derry to himself.
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?
Ans: Although the loneliness of Derry dominates the play, there are evident traces of Mr. Lamb’s loneliness throughout the first scene of the play. The old man says that having heard the bees for a “long time” he knows that they “sing”, not buzz. It not only depicts how his perception was different from others but also illustrates that he was lonely and that he did not have any one to be with.
Another sign of his loneliness is that he spent the entire day sitting in the sun, engrossed in books. This suggests that books were his only true companions. He describes his “empty house” as being full of books, emphasizing how they filled the void in his solitary life. By the end of the scene, his loneliness becomes even more apparent when he mutters to himself that no one ever returns after meeting him once. Similarly, he did not expect Derry to come back. So certain was he of Derry’s absence that he climbed the ladder to collect the apples himself, despite Derry’s promise to return after informing his mother. Ironically, the old man might have passed away unnoticed had Derry not come back, seeking to fill the emptiness in his own life.
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.
Ans: Physical impairment can bring discomfort, pain, and various challenges to a person’s life. However, with modern technological advancements, these limitations can often be managed or overcome. What is far more devastating is the emotional toll of social alienation, which deeply wounds one’s pride and self-esteem. A disabled person is not only marginalized by society but sometimes even by their own family.The little boy, as we see in the story, is on the verge of being shunned by society. He is lonely and reclusive. It is almost as if he had committed a crime. The family is overprotective, denying him a normal, healthy existence. He is made to feel distinct and inferior to others.While physical challenges can be addressed, the constant struggle against alienation and the need to prove one’s worth remains a bigger battle.They want to be treated as equals, and on several occasions, people with physical disabilities have proven to be far superior to able-bodied people. Mr Lamb’s lack of pity causes Derry to come out of his shell. He treats the boy like any other human being and considers him a friend. That is what the little boy has always desired.
4. Will Derry get back to his old seclusion or will Mr. Lamb’s brief association effect a change in the king of life he will lead in the future?
Ans: The brief association of Derry with Mr. Lamb boos. His burnt face made him desolate and depressed. So, he avoided people. Their cruel, uncharitable remarks offended him. He thus tamed a deep feeling of hatred for such people. But after meeting Mr. Lamb, Derry understands that he should not give attention to others’ comments. He has a burnt face, besides he has everything a person needs to rise in life. Mr. Lamb is also an impaired person. Children tease him by calling ‘Lamey Lamb’. But he doesn’t mind that. He accepts life as it comes. He always feels happy. The world is full of joy. Every object of it is a subject of great pleasure and happiness. So, with a tiny leg, he has nothing to object. He leads a life of pure effort with his big house and his garden. He gives away toffees among children. He likes flowers, fruits and even weeds equally. He is positive and productive.
Derry will never get back to his old seclusion. His burnt face can no more cat away his self-respect, poise and belief. He will surely find his place in society like a normal man.

Hi! my Name is Parimal Roy. I have completed my Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy (B.A.) from Silapathar General College. Currently, I am working as an HR Manager at Dev Library. It is a website that provides study materials for students from Class 3 to 12, including SCERT and NCERT notes. It also offers resources for BA, B.Com, B.Sc, and Computer Science, along with postgraduate notes. Besides study materials, the website has novels, eBooks, health and finance articles, biographies, quotes, and more.