Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds 2

Analysis: Mickey, Linda and Edward Are Caught

This scene highlights how figures of authority treat members of society differently. Mrs. Johnstone is treated harshly for Mickey's behaviour whereas the Lyons' are encouraged to stop Edward mixing with the wrong crowd.

Symbolism

The strong bond between the three children is evident during this scene, and the toy gun is again acting as a symbol of both childish innocence and future violence.

The policeman and Mrs. Johnstone

The policeman’s abruptness with Mrs. Johnstone shows that he has clearly had many dealings with the family before, and Mrs. Johnstone’s longing for a fresh start serves as a reminder of how she can’t seem to break away from her past troubles and regrets.

The policeman and the Lyons'

This scene highlights the injustice of society. Although Edward is the one who actually broke the window, the policeman is polite and civil to Mr. Lyons, while he was rude and threatening to Mrs. Johnstone.
It is clear that the poorer children are treated with far less tolerance than children from wealthy backgrounds.

Analysis: The Lyons' Move

The Lyons' move to the countryside is motivated by Mrs. Lyons' fear that Edward is too close to the Johnstones.

Mrs. Lyons' irrationality

Mrs. Lyons is in such a state of desperation that she wants to completely relocate her family in order to escape her shameful actions of the past.

Edward and Mrs. Johnstone's relationship

Russell uses this scene to show how Edward is able to communicate more freely with Mrs. Johnstone than he is with the person who he believes to be his mother, Mrs. Lyons.
This shows that there is an unbreakable bond between a mother and her child, and Mrs. Johnstone clearly feels this too as she is unable to resist the urge to comfort Edward.
The locket becomes significant later in the play, and it also serves as a symbol of the bond between the three characters.

Edward's superstitions

The magpie incident is significant because it shows the audience that Edward has taken on some of the superstitions of the Johnstone family, despite growing up in a house where superstitious beliefs were discouraged.
This again shows the strong connection that Edward has to his biological family.

The duet

The shared song at this point in the play emphasises how similar the two boys are.
Despite not knowing about their true relationship as twin brothers, it is clear that the boys sense just how important they are to one another.

Analysis: The Johnstones Move

Mrs. Johnstone wants a new start for her and her family.

Wanting to escape the past

Mrs. Johnstone is optimistic that she will finally be able to move on from her past troubles and regrets - her failed marriage, her unruly children and her decision to give away one of her twins - and she can finally be happy again.

Similarity between the Lyons' and Johnstones

Despite their vastly different economic situations, the two families are heading in very similar directions, both trying to break with past misdemeanours.

Ending of Act One

Act One ends on a positive note, but things soon take a dark turn as the families learn that they can’t simply run away from their problems.

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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