2.1.2

Analysis: Introduction to Mrs. Johnston and Lyons

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Analysis: Introduction to the Lyons Family

Here we see the dynamic between Mrs. Johnstone and Mrs. Lyons. Russell uses the scene to emphasise the stark contrast between their lives.

Contrast between the women

Contrast between the women

  • Russell shows the harsh contrast between the impoverished conditions of Mrs. Johnstone’s family with the lavish wealth of Mr. and Mrs. Lyons, introducing the key theme of social class.
The theme of superstition

The theme of superstition

  • The incident with the shoes on the table introduces the audience to the theme of superstition, which goes on to drive key events in the play.

Analysis: Introduction to Mrs. Johnstone

At the beginning of Blood Brothers the narrator reveals the trajectory of the plot. As such, the audience knows that tragedy is inevitable.

A tragic ending

A tragic ending

  • Russell uses the Narrator to ensure that the audience knows from the very beginning that the play has a tragic ending.
  • The Narrator reappears periodically to remind the audience of the fate that awaits the twins, creating an ominous sense of doom.
Reference to Marilyn Monroe

Reference to Marilyn Monroe

  • Mrs. Johnstone introduces the important symbol of Marilyn Monroe.
  • The Hollywood star met a tragic end, and she is mentioned several times in the play because her demise mirrors what happens to several of the characters, especially Mrs. Johnstone’s son, Mickey.
The Johnstone's poverty

The Johnstone's poverty

  • The desperate financial situation of the Johnstone family becomes apparent through Mrs. Johnstone's interaction with the milkman.
  • The Narrator appears as different characters throughout the play and, just like the milkman in this scene, he is always the bearer of bad news.
Jump to other topics
1

Context & Author

1.1

Context

1.1.1Setting1.1.2Political Background1.1.3Education & Work1.1.4Marilyn Monroe & Pop Culture1.1.5Family
1.2

Author

1.2.1Willy Russell1.2.2End of Topic Test - Context & Author
2

Plot

2.1

Act One

2.1.1Overview: Introduction to Mrs Johnstone & Lyons2.1.2Analysis: Introduction to Mrs. Johnston and Lyons2.1.3Overview: The Birth of Mickey & Edward2.1.4Analysis: The Birth of Mickey & Edward2.1.5Overview: Mickey Playing at Home2.1.6Overview: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds2.1.7Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds2.1.8Overview: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds 22.1.9Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds 22.1.10End of Topic Test - Act One2.1.11End of Topic Test - Act One 2
2.2

Act Two

2.2.1Overview: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers2.2.2Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers2.2.3Overview: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 22.2.4Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 22.2.5Overview: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 32.2.6Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 32.2.7Overview: Mickey & Edward as Adults2.2.8Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Adults2.2.9End of Topic Test - Act Two2.2.10End of Topic Test - Act Two 2
3

Characters

3.1

Mickey

3.1.1Mickey3.1.2Mickey as a Damaged Adult
3.2

Edward

3.2.1Edward3.2.2Edward 23.2.3End of Topic Test - Mickey & Edward
3.3

Linda

3.3.1Linda3.3.2Linda 2
3.4

Mrs Johnstone

3.4.1Mrs Johnstone3.4.2Mrs Johnstone 2
3.5

Mrs Lyons

3.5.1Mrs Lyons3.5.2Mrs Lyons 23.5.3End of Topic Test - Linda & Mothers
3.6

Mr Lyons

3.6.1Mr Lyons
3.7

Sammy

3.7.1Sammy
3.8

The Narrator

3.8.1The Narrator
3.9

Minor

3.9.1Minor Characters3.9.2End of Topic Test - Other Characters
3.10

End of Topic Sessions

3.10.1Grade 9 - Key Characters
4

Themes

4.1

Parents & Children

4.1.1Parents & Children
4.2

Growing Up

4.2.1Growing Up
4.3

Friendship & Brotherhood

4.3.1Friendship & Brotherhood4.3.2End of Topic Test - Parents, Growing Up, Friends
4.4

Fate & Superstition

4.4.1Fate & Superstition
4.5

Nature vs. Nurture

4.5.1Nature vs. Nurture
4.6

Social Class

4.6.1Social Class4.6.2End of Topic Test - Fate, Upbringing & Class
5

Literary Techniques

5.1

Structure

5.1.1Structure
5.2

Tragedy

5.2.1Tragedy
5.3

Dramatic Irony

5.3.1Dramatic Irony
5.4

Imagery

5.4.1Imagery
5.5

Character & Voice

5.5.1Character
5.6

Music & Lyrics

5.6.1Music & Lyrics
5.7

Accent & Dialect

5.7.1Accent & Dialect5.7.2End of Topic Test - Literary Techniques5.7.3End of Topic Test - Literary Techniques 2

Practice questions on Analysis: Introduction to Mrs. Johnston and Lyons

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    What are living conditions for the Johnstone family like? Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Who introduces the important symbol of Marilyn Monroe?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    The desperate financial situation of the Johnstone family becomes apparent through Mrs. Johnstone's interaction with who?Multiple choice
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Overview: Introduction to Mrs Johnstone & Lyons

Overview: The Birth of Mickey & Edward