Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Adults

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Analysis: The Problems in Mickey and Linda's Marriage

Mickey is released from prison. It is clear that his addiction a source of tension and conflict between him and Linda.

Linda's need to be an adult

Linda has also been forced to grow up very quickly, but she seems to be doing a good job of coping with the considerable stress she faces.
The audience may have worked out that this “someone I know” is Edward, and this is therefore an ironic moment because Linda is unaware that the person she is talking about is Mrs. Johnstone’s estranged son.

The impact of Mickey's addiction

Mickey’s violent reaction to having his medication taken away from him shows just how much he has changed: he is now barely recognisable.

Mickey's distrust of Edward

It is clear just how much Mickey has grown to distrust his brother, Edward, since social class and their economic situations have driven them apart completely.

Analysis: The Impact of Linda and Edward's Affair

Linda seeks comfort in Edward. This will lead to the climax of the play's tragic plot.

Linda's decision to turn to Edward

Given how much Linda has had to put up with while married to Mickey, it is perhaps no surprise to the audience that she seeks comfort with Edward.

The love triangle

The reappearance of the love triangle between the three characters is also a clear reminder of the similarities that still exist between Mickey and Edward.
Despite their financial differences and their vastly different positions in society, both men still love the same woman and, in turn, Linda is equally drawn to both brothers.

Mickey's decision to stop taking his pills

This is another moment of devastating dramatic irony: while Linda is having an affair with Edward, she is completely unaware that Mickey is finding the inner strength to stop taking the pills and get his life back on track.
Mrs. Johnstone’s comments foreshadow the tragic consequences of Linda and Edward’s actions.

Mrs. Lyons as the antagnoist

Mrs. Lyons continues to be a destructive force in the play and is now a figure of hatred for the audience, seemingly intent on bringing about devastation.
The recurring symbol of the gun, meanwhile, suggests that, betrayed by Edward and Linda, Mickey no longer cares about the consequences of his actions.

Analysis: The Play's Climax

Edward and Linda's affair drives the plot to its climax. Mrs. Johnstone reveals her secret. The tragedy is complete as Edward and Mickey are both killed.

The contrast between Edward and Mickey's worlds

When Mickey interrupts Edward's speech we see how their completely different worlds collide.
The contrast between Mickey and Edward’s current situation is a critique of the power of the class system.

Fate vs. class

Throughout the play, the audience has been led to believe that superstition and fate are the driving forces behind the unfolding events, but here the Narrator brings this into question.
He strongly suggests that superstition has had nothing to do with what has become of the twins, but rather it is the harsh realities of the class system which have caused the deaths of Mickey and Edward.

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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