Question

How does Derry interpret the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast"? What does he feel about himself?​

Answer 1

In the fairy tell Derry is very pessimistic about himself and thinks people will get scared of him due to his appearance.

• Derry knew that the story represented an inner beauty and how the inside still turns out triumphant, regardless of the outward appearances. Beauty falls in love with the Beast's soul, but Derry claims it's all fake.
• He was overly pessimistic about himself ever meeting someone who's going to love him and kiss him as Beauty does with the Beast and worries that he's merely going to scare everyone.  
• He had a critical issue with the concept of transformation portrayed in the story as he finds it impossible.
• This further illustrates his concerns about his life where for the remainder of his life he would have to live with the burnt face. Derry has failed to respect himself in his battle with his appearance and love himself.  
• Mr. Lamb attempts to make him understand that the unique thing that distinguishes him is not his burnt face.

Answer 2

On The Face Of It

• The given question is taken from ‘On The Face Of It’ by Susan Hill.

• When Mr. Lamb says, “It’s all relative. Beauty and the beast.”
• Derry replies, “It’s not what you look like, it’s what you are inside.”

• Beauty loved the Beast. She agreed to marry the Beast and when she kissed him, he changed into a handsome prince.

• According to him, only the Beast can change into a prince but his ugly face will never return in former type. So he says, “I won’t change.”

• He feels about himself that he is one of the ugliest boys in the world and people are afraid of him.

• For his ugly face, he hides himself from the people or crowd and feels alone. He knows that except his mother, no one is going to kiss him anymore.