1.1.2
Political Background
Political Background to Blood Brothers
Political Background to Blood Brothers
Blood Brothers is written in the wake of Margaret Thatcher's economic reforms. Russell uses his play to criticise Thatcher by demonstrating that privilege is central to economic success.
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
- Blood Brothers was completed in 1981, which is two years into Margaret Thatcher’s time as prime minister of the United Kingdom.
Thatcher and the economy
Thatcher and the economy
- Margaret Thatcher transformed the economy of Britain in a way which greatly reduced the number of traditional manufacturing (factory) jobs.
- This particularly affected cities like Liverpool, where thousands of jobs disappeared and unemployment levels increased drastically.
Challenging Thatcher's views on success
Challenging Thatcher's views on success
- One of Margaret Thatcher’s core beliefs was that the key to success was hard work:
- She claimed that anyone in Britain who worked hard could be successful.
- Russell challenges this belief in Blood Brothers because hard work is not the reason Mickey and Edward’s lives are so different: the reason their lives are so different is the fact that, coming from a wealthy and well-connected background, Edward has far more opportunities to be successful than Mickey.
Thatcher and trade unions
Thatcher and trade unions
- Margaret Thatcher also felt that trade unions, which are organisations designed to protect the rights of workers, had become too powerful.
- She made changes to the law which took away some of the powers of trade unions, and this meant that workers, particularly factory workers like Mickey, were more vulnerable to redundancy.
1Context & Author
2Plot
2.1Act One
2.1.1Overview: Introduction to Mrs Johnstone & Lyons
2.1.2Analysis: Introduction to Mrs. Johnston and Lyons
2.1.3Overview: The Birth of Mickey & Edward
2.1.4Analysis: The Birth of Mickey & Edward
2.1.5Overview: Mickey Playing at Home
2.1.6Overview: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds
2.1.7Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds
2.1.8Overview: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds 2
2.1.9Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds 2
2.1.10End of Topic Test - Act One
2.1.11End of Topic Test - Act One 2
2.2Act Two
2.2.1Overview: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers
2.2.2Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers
2.2.3Overview: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 2
2.2.4Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 2
2.2.5Overview: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 3
2.2.6Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 3
2.2.7Overview: Mickey & Edward as Adults
2.2.8Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Adults
2.2.9End of Topic Test - Act Two
2.2.10End of Topic Test - Act Two 2
3Characters
3.3Linda
3.4Mrs Johnstone
3.6Mr Lyons
3.7Sammy
3.8The Narrator
3.10End of Topic Sessions
4Themes
4.1Parents & Children
4.2Growing Up
4.3Friendship & Brotherhood
4.4Fate & Superstition
4.5Nature vs. Nurture
5Literary Techniques
5.1Structure
5.2Tragedy
5.3Dramatic Irony
5.4Imagery
5.5Character & Voice
5.6Music & Lyrics
Jump to other topics
1Context & Author
2Plot
2.1Act One
2.1.1Overview: Introduction to Mrs Johnstone & Lyons
2.1.2Analysis: Introduction to Mrs. Johnston and Lyons
2.1.3Overview: The Birth of Mickey & Edward
2.1.4Analysis: The Birth of Mickey & Edward
2.1.5Overview: Mickey Playing at Home
2.1.6Overview: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds
2.1.7Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds
2.1.8Overview: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds 2
2.1.9Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds 2
2.1.10End of Topic Test - Act One
2.1.11End of Topic Test - Act One 2
2.2Act Two
2.2.1Overview: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers
2.2.2Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers
2.2.3Overview: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 2
2.2.4Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 2
2.2.5Overview: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 3
2.2.6Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 3
2.2.7Overview: Mickey & Edward as Adults
2.2.8Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Adults
2.2.9End of Topic Test - Act Two
2.2.10End of Topic Test - Act Two 2
3Characters
3.3Linda
3.4Mrs Johnstone
3.6Mr Lyons
3.7Sammy
3.8The Narrator
3.10End of Topic Sessions
4Themes
4.1Parents & Children
4.2Growing Up
4.3Friendship & Brotherhood
4.4Fate & Superstition
4.5Nature vs. Nurture
5Literary Techniques
5.1Structure
5.2Tragedy
5.3Dramatic Irony
5.4Imagery
5.5Character & Voice
5.6Music & Lyrics
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