On The Face Of It

Mr. Lamb is an elderly gentleman with a rusted tin leg; his real leg was blown off in the war years ago. He lives alone in a big house with no curtains and a garden full of golden crab apples. Derry enters the garden by climbing over the wall, avoiding the open gate, expecting the place to be empty, only to be surprised by Mr. Lamb’s presence.

Yes, Derry’s attitude changes completely. Initially, he is defensive and expects rejection because of his burnt face. However, Mr. Lamb’s lack of pity and his acceptance surprise Derry. Since Mr. Lamb also has a physical impairment (a tin leg), he understands Derry’s pain but encourages him to live happily. Derry moves from dismissing the old man to admiring his zest for life.

Mr. Lamb is different from everyone else Derry has met.

• No Shock: He isn’t shocked or repulsed by Derry’s face.
• Acceptance: He welcomes Derry, offering friendship and treating him as an equal.
• Philosophy: He teaches Derry that outward appearances (like weeds vs. flowers) don’t matter; it’s the life inside that counts.
• Encouragement: He tells Derry that hate burns worse than acid and that with his limbs and brain, he can achieve anything.

This positivity draws Derry in.

Although he projects positivity, Mr. Lamb’s loneliness is evident:

• He claims the bees “sing” to him, showing his need for company.
• He sits in the sun reading books all day, implying books are his main friends.
• He admits people come, but he mutters that “no one comes back” after the first meeting.
• The fact that he climbs the ladder alone to pick apples shows he has no one to help him, which ultimately leads to his tragic fall.

Physical pain is often bearable, but the alienation caused by society’s reaction is crushing.

Expectations: Persons with disabilities expect empathy, not sympathy. They want to be treated as normal human beings, not objects of pity or fear. When people stare or make cruel comments, it forces them into seclusion (like Derry). Mr. Lamb breaks this cycle by treating Derry without prejudice, showing that inclusion is the cure for alienation.

No, Derry will not return to his shell. His brief association with Mr. Lamb was transformative. He learned that his burnt face does not define his worth. He stood up to his mother, asserting his independence to go back to the garden. Even though Mr. Lamb dies, the seed of confidence has been planted. Derry now believes he can “outperform others” and has found a new path of self-acceptance.

• Theme Clarity: Explains the central theme of Inner Beauty vs. Outward Appearance.
• Character Analysis: Deep dives into the contrasting personalities of the optimistic Mr. Lamb and the pessimistic Derry.
• Exam Focus: Highlights key plot points like the ladder incident and the bee conversation.
• Emotional Insight: Helps answer value-based questions on alienation and empathy.