Summary of the Play on the Face of It

Summary

In the drama On The Face Of It, Swan Hill writes about the process of communication of a boy and a man. The boy is called Derry, the right half of his face was burned. The man is called Mr Lamb, one of his leg was a tin leg because real one got blown off. Mr Lamb chances Derry’s attitude of life in the end.

At the beginning, Derry comes into Mr Lamb’s garden without permission. Derry wants to leave because he thinks that Mr.Lamb would fear and exclude him as normal people. However, Mr Lamb doesn’t mind and welcome Derry. As the conversation continues, Mr.Lamb gives Derry love, care and understanding, which is Derry’ first time that he is given these emotion. Finally they become friends. When Derry leaves, he says that he would come back again. But Mr.Lamb thinks Derry would not return, nobody returned. After Derry going back home, he tells all about Mr.Lamb to his mother. But Derry’s mother doesn’t allow Derry to return Mr.Lamb’s garden. In his time, Derry has changed his attitude towards the world, “If I don’t go back there, I’ll never go anywhere in this world again.”(68) Then Derry goes back to the garden. However, what he sees is the death of Mr.Lamb. He falls off a ladder when he picks apples.