Mickey

Mickey: Positive characteristics

Mickey is an energetic and mischievous young boy. Russell makes him a likeable character to make the audience invested in him and his downfall during adulthood.

Energetic

Although it is Edward who initiates the first conversation between the two brothers at the age of seven, Mickey soon becomes an enthusiastic participant in their conversation.
It is Mickey who suggests the two should become ‘blood brothers’:
- “Do you wanna be my blood brother, Eddie?” (Act One).

Mischievous

During his childhood years, Mickey seems to enjoy getting up to mischief, although this is mostly harmless and innocent:
- “Come on Eddie, you can have a shot at our target in the park.” (Act One).

Good natured

Russell has created Mickey as a good-natured and likeable child, and this makes his demise when he reaches adulthood even more shocking and saddening.
Russell therefore uses the character of Mickey to show how the innocence of childhood is prematurely taken away from those who are born into poverty.

A good friend

Mickey seems to really enjoy the fact that he can teach Edward lots of things he has learnt on the street, like swearing and getting up to mischief.
This helps Mickey to feel confident and comfortable around Edward:
- “Yeh. Yeh, I know loads of words like that. Y’know, like the ‘F’ word.” (Act One).
During their teenage years, Mickey sings about how he admires Edward’s intelligence:
- “If I was like him, I’d know all the right words.” (Act Two).

Mickey: Shy and Insecure

Mickey is presented as a shy and insecure young boy.

Envious of Sammy

As a child, Mickey idolises and envies his brother Sammy, looking up to his antics. However, he also feels pressure to impress Sammy, possibly a symptom of being the youngest in the family:
- “ I wish I was our Sammy.” (Act One).
This desire to please Sammy could be one of the reasons that Mickey is ultimately persuaded to act as a lookout for Sammy in the ill-fated robbery.

Relationship with Linda

Mickey’s insecurity is also seen during his teenage years through the way he acts towards Linda.
Although it is clear to the audience that there is a mutual attraction, Mickey thinks he is not good enough for her:
- “I’ve got pimples an’ me feet are too big an’ me bum sticks out.” (Act Two).

A warning for the audience

Perhaps Russell is using this shyness and vulnerability as a warning that Mickey is going to struggle greatly with the pressures of adulthood.

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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