On the Face of It
The
play "On the Face Of it” depicts beautifully yet grimly the sad world of
the physically impaired. It is not the actual pain or inconvenience caused by a
physical impairment that trouble a disabled man but the attitude of the people around
him. Two physically impaired people, Mr. Lamb with a tin leg and Derry with a
burnt face, strike a band of friendship.
Derek,
a young lad of fourteen was sinking in the abyss of despair and frustration. He
disliked every one. Once he enters a garden thinking it an empty place but
Finds an old man Mr. Lamb minding the apples. Derek feels embarrassed and wants
to go back. Mr. Lamb assures him that he does not mind strangers and the gates
of garden are open for everyone.
Derek
has low self-esteem and thinks people are afraid of him for his burnt face
because of acid and thinks even his mother kisses him only on the good side of
his face. He has bitterness for the world.
Mr.
Lamb has a friendly and positive attitude. He tells Derek that he too is
handicapped and loves all creatures made by God because nothing in this world
is worthless, even weeds have their own value. He advises Derek to think of the
beautiful objects of the world and never believe on your ears but to believe
your eyes. Avoid people's comments and love all mankind because hatred corrodes
us and hurts more than acids. He considers Derek to be his friend.
Mr.
Lamb tells a story to give Derek a lesson. Once there was a timid man who
refused to come out in fear of fatal accident. In his own room a picture fell
off the wall on his head and he died. This changes Derek’s attitude and he
takes interest in Mr. Lamb's talking and likes to listen more to Mr. Lamb and
wants to help Mr. Lamb in his work.
Derek
wants to go home and inform his mother that he would be late. He promises to
come back. His mother stops him but he is adamant saying if he does not go now
it would be never. When he comes back he sees lamb lying on the ground. It is
ironical that 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.But at the same
time, it is almost a true account of the people who don’t let a person live
happily.
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