Class 12 English Chapter 5 On the Face of it

Struggling to find a precise On the Face of It summary for Class 12 English? Dive into this all‑in‑one NCERT summary, themes and analysis guide for Chapter 5 (Flamingo) that helps CBSE students revise fast. In this post, you’ll get key points, important questions, character sketch, theme interpretation, and exam‑wise tips to score high in English. Whether you’re doing last‑minute revision or preparing for the CBSE board exam 2025, this summary is your go‑to resource.

Chapter 5 – On the Face of It Summary, Theme, Character Sketch & Important Questions | Class 12 English Flamingo

The play is about two characters: Derry, a young boy, and Mr Lamb, an old man. Derry has a burnet face because of an acid accident. He feels people avoid him and call him ugly. He becomes shy, angry, and doesn’t like other people.
Mr Lamb is an old man who has lost his leg in a war, but his nature was positive, and now he uses a tin leg. He has a garden with beautiful flowers and apple trees in it.

The play started with Derry, who wanted to enter Mr Lamb’s garden, and he thought no one was in the garden. At first, Derry was rude and wanted to leave the garden after seeing Mr Lamb. But Mr Lamb makes him feel welcome. Mr Lamb told Derry that being different doesn’t mean life is over. He teaches Derry how to be positive and enjoy nature, and not care about what others think about him.
At the end, Derry begins to understand Mr Lamb’s thoughts. Sadly, when Derry comes back to meet, Mr Lamb has died after falling down a ladder while picking apples.
Main message of the play-

Physical disability or scars don’t define a person’s worth.
Attitude towards life matters more than appearance.

Conclusion:

On the Face of It is a powerful chapter in the Class 12 English Flamingo book that teaches us about acceptance, inner strength, and not judging others by appearances. This summary covers all the key points, important questions, and character insights to help you in your CBSE Class 12 board exam preparation. Make sure to revise the main theme, character sketches of Derry and Mr. Lamb, and practice NCERT-based questions for better results. Keep visiting for more Class 12 English chapter summaries and exam-ready notes!