Question 2 - Chapter 5 - On the Face of It - Vistas - Chapters (Literature) - English Class 12

Read the extract and answer the following questions.

Extract:

MR LAMB: No, Not the whole of you. Not of you. 

DERRY: Yes! [Pause]

 MR LAMB: Later on, when it’s a bit cooler, I’ll get the ladder and a stick, and pull down those crab apples. They’re ripe for it. I make jelly. It’s a good time of year, September. Look at them....orange and golden. That’s magic fruit. I often say. But it’s best picked and made into jelly. You could give me a hand.

 DERRY: What have you changed the subject for? People always do that. Why don’t you ask me? Why do you do what they all do and pretend it isn’t true and isn’t there? In case I see you looking and mind and get upset? I’ll tell....you don’t ask me because you’re afraid to.

(On The Face Of It)

Question (i)

What is the main difference between Mr Lamb and Derry's attitudes in the extract?

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

 The main difference between Mr Lamb and Derry's attitudes in the extract is that Mr Lamb is optimistic and cheerful, while Derry is pessimistic and bitter.

Step-by-step explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to compare and contrast Mr Lamb and Derry's attitudes in the extract, based on their words and actions.
• Some evidence that shows that Mr Lamb is optimistic and cheerful are :
•    He says that his disability does not affect his whole being, implying that he accepts himself and does not let his tin leg define him.
•    He talks about making jelly from crab apples, implying that he enjoys his hobbies and finds joy in simple things.
•    He describes September as a good time of year and the fruit as magic, implying that he appreciates nature and its beauty.
• Some evidence that shows that Derry is pessimistic and bitter are:
•    He says that his facial deformity affects his whole being, implying that he hates himself and lets his burnt face define him.
•    He accuses Mr Lamb of changing the subject, implying that he is suspicious and resentful of other people's intentions.
•    He says that people are afraid to ask him about his face, implying that he feels isolated and misunderstood.

Question (ii)

What does Derry mean by "pretend it isn't true and isn't there" in the extract?

1. Mr Lamb's tin leg
2. Derry's burnt face
3. The crab apples
4. The magic fruit

Answer:

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Answer as written by the student:

(b) Derry's burnt face

Step-by-step explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to understand the context and the meaning of Derry's words in the extract.
• The context of the extract is that Derry has climbed over Mr Lamb's wall and entered his garden. Mr Lamb has invited him to stay and help him with making jelly from crab apples. Derry has a burnt face that makes him insecure and angry.
• The meaning of Derry's words in the extract is that he thinks that Mr Lamb is avoiding talking about his facial deformity because he is afraid to upset him or offend him. Derry feels that Mr Lamb is pretending that his face is not scarred and ugly, like other people do.
• Therefore, we can infer that Derry means his burnt face by "pretend it isn't true and isn't there" in the extract.

Question (iii)

Complete the sentence appropriately.

The extract belongs to the genre of _______________.

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

The extract belongs to the genre of realistic fiction.

Step-by-step explanation:

• The genre of a text is the category or type of literature that it belongs to, based on its form, style, content, and theme.
• To identify the genre of the extract, we need to look for clues that indicate its characteristics and features.
• Some clues that suggest that the extract belongs to the genre of realistic fiction are:
•    The use of dialogue and narration, which are common features of fiction texts.
•    The focus on contemporary issues and problems, such as disability, prejudice, loneliness, etc., which are typical of realistic fiction texts.
•    The portrayal of believable characters and situations, such as Mr Lamb and Derry's conversation in the garden, which create a sense of realism and authenticity.

Question (iv)

Give one reason why the extract can be called an effective introduction to the relationship between Mr Lamb and Derry.

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

One reason why the extract can be called an effective introduction to the relationship between Mr Lamb and Derry is that it shows their contrasting personalities and perspectives, which create both tension and connection between them.

Step-by-step explanation:

• The relationship between Mr Lamb and Derry is one of the main themes of the story "On the Face of It".
• To explain why the extract can be called an effective introduction to their relationship, we need to give an example of how it shows thei r contrasting personalities and perspectives, which create both tension and connection between them.
• One example of how the extract does this is:
•    It shows their contrasting personalities and perspectives through their dialogue: Mr Lamb is positive and friendly, while Derry is negative and hostile; Mr Lamb talks about making jelly and enjoying nature, while Derry talks about his face and other people's reactions; Mr Lamb tries to make Derry feel comfortable and welcome, while Derry accuses him of being afraid and dishonest.
•    It shows their tension and connection through their actions: Mr Lamb invites Derry to stay and help him with making jelly, but Derry wants to leave; Mr Lamb does not ask Derry about his face, but Derry challenges him to do so; Mr Lamb and Derry both have physical disabilities, but they have different ways of coping with them.
• Therefore, we can say that one reason why the extract can be called an e ffective introduction to the relationship between Mr Lamb and Derry is that it shows their contrasting personalities and perspectives, which create both tension and connection between them.👥

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