2.1.4

Analysis: The Birth of Mickey & Edward

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Analysis: The Plan to Give Mrs. Lyons a Baby

Mrs. Johnstone's inability to look after twins forces her to give one away to Mrs. Lyons.

Mrs. Lyons' plan

Mrs. Lyons' plan

  • This is a pivotal moment in the story because Mrs. Lyons is concocting the plan which eventually leads to the tragic ending of the play.
  • This is a plan based on deception and lies, and both Mrs. Lyons and Mrs. Johnstone will have to live with the guilt of what they have done.
Sympathy for Mrs. Lyons?

Sympathy for Mrs. Lyons?

  • Mrs. Lyons does not generally evoke much sympathy from the audience, but her fantasy about having a child of her own shows her to be a tormented character.
Function of the Narrator

Function of the Narrator

  • The Narrator’s appearance at this moment emphasises the importance of the scene.
  • As she is a superstitious woman (as seen from the earlier incident with the shoes on the table), we know that Mrs. Johnstone will not want to break the promise she made on the Bible: Mrs. Lyons would also be aware of this.

Analysis: Mrs Johnstone Gives Birth

Mrs. Johnstone is burdened by her promise to give one of her twins away.

The theme of debt

The theme of debt

  • While the birth of a child is normally a joyful occasion, Mrs. Johnstone is still burdened by her financial woes and the level of debt she carries with her.
  • This idea of debt, whether real or symbolic, runs through the whole play as characters struggle to handle how their past actions impact upon their lives in the present.
Mrs. Lyons' manipulation

Mrs. Lyons' manipulation

  • Mrs. Lyons is presented as calculating and manipulative at this point because she uses Mrs. Johnstone’s beliefs in superstition to force her to hand over one of the babies.
  • The offer of a week of maternity leave highlights the class difference between the two women and shows Mrs. Lyons to be uncaring.
The theme of nature vs. nurture

The theme of nature vs. nurture

  • Mrs. Johnstone clearly has a strong connection with her son despite having handed him over to Mrs. Lyons.
  • Mrs. Lyons is jealous of this connection and reacts with hostility. This hostility will continue to grow as the play moves forward.
Mrs. Lyons firing Mrs. Johnstone

Mrs. Lyons firing Mrs. Johnstone

  • Mrs. Lyons becomes the antagonist (villain) of the play as her feelings of jealousy lead her to behave in a cruel and callous way towards Mrs. Johnstone.
  • The superstition she tells Mrs. Johnstone about is completely made up, but it will go on to drive Mrs. Johnstone’s actions in the play.
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: The Birth of Mickey & Edward

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

  1. 1
    What emphasises the importance of the scene?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    What does Mrs. Lyons take advantage of to force Mrs. Johnstone to hand over one of her babies?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    How long does Mrs. Lyons offer Mrs. Johnstone maternity leave?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    Mrs. Lyons' feelings towards Mrs. Johnstone and decision to fire her:True / false
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Overview: The Birth of Mickey & Edward

Overview: Mickey Playing at Home