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

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?

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

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

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 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

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 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.

1Context & Author

1.1Context

1.1.1Setting

1.1.2Political Background

1.1.3Education & Work

1.1.4Marilyn Monroe & Pop Culture

1.1.5Family

1.2Author

1.2.1Willy Russell

1.2.2End of Topic Test - Context & 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

3.1Mickey

3.1.1Mickey

3.1.2Mickey as a Damaged Adult

3.2Edward

3.2.1Edward

3.2.2Edward 2

3.2.3End of Topic Test - Mickey & Edward

3.3Linda

3.3.1Linda

3.3.2Linda 2

3.4Mrs Johnstone

3.4.1Mrs Johnstone

3.4.2Mrs Johnstone 2

3.5Mrs Lyons

3.5.1Mrs Lyons

3.5.2Mrs Lyons 2

3.5.3End of Topic Test - Linda & Mothers

3.6Mr Lyons

3.6.1Mr Lyons

3.7Sammy

3.7.1Sammy

3.8The Narrator

3.8.1The Narrator

3.9Minor

3.9.1Minor Characters

3.9.2End of Topic Test - Other Characters

3.10End of Topic Sessions

3.10.1Grade 9 - Key Characters

4Themes

4.1Parents & Children

4.1.1Parents & Children

4.2Growing Up

4.2.1Growing Up

4.3Friendship & Brotherhood

4.3.1Friendship & Brotherhood

4.3.2End of Topic Test - Parents, Growing Up, Friends

4.4Fate & Superstition

4.4.1Fate & Superstition

4.5Nature vs. Nurture

4.5.1Nature vs. Nurture

4.6Social Class

4.6.1Social Class

4.6.2End of Topic Test - Fate, Upbringing & Class

5Literary Techniques

5.1Structure

5.1.1Structure

5.2Tragedy

5.2.1Tragedy

5.3Dramatic Irony

5.3.1Dramatic Irony

5.4Imagery

5.4.1Imagery

5.5Character & Voice

5.5.1Character

5.6Music & Lyrics

5.6.1Music & Lyrics

5.7Accent & Dialect

5.7.1Accent & Dialect

5.7.2End of Topic Test - Literary Techniques

5.7.3End of Topic Test - Literary Techniques 2

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