Edward

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Edward: Sheltered and Privileged

In stark contrast to Mickey, Edward's life is full of privilege and opportunity.

Privileged childhood

Edward enjoys a much more privileged childhood than Mickey, due to the wealth and social class of his parents.
While Mickey has to fend for himself from a very young age, Edward is sent to an expensive boarding school and is taught how to waltz by Mrs. Lyons:
- “Mrs Lyons: I’ll give you some more lessons when you’re home for half term.” (Act Two).

Sheltered childhood

Mrs. Lyons does her best to prevent Edward from mixing with what she considers to be the wrong sort of people.
She would much rather he associated with people from a similar social class, and not with people who she considers to be beneath the Lyons family.
As a result, Edward is a sheltered character:
- “Mrs Lyons: You’re not the same as him. You’re not, do you understand?” (Act One).

Innocence

Unlike Mickey, Edward does not know any swear words when he is a young child.
When Mickey teaches him “the ‘F’ word”, Edward’s response is to “wriggle and giggle with glee” (Act One). Edward goes on to show his naivety when he tries to use his new swear words in an argument with his mother, incorrectly calling her “a fuckoff” (Act One).

Edward's privilege growing up

Edward’s privilege is evident as he grows up and attends university, becoming a city councillor soon after graduating.
There is little evidence of Edward having to work particularly hard for any of these opportunities, and Russell seems to be suggesting that there is an inevitability that rich people will fall into positions of power.
This is in direct contrast to Mickey, who grows up to find very few options available to him.

Edward: Generous and Supportive

Throughout childhood and adulthood, Edward is supportive of Mickey and Linda.

Meeting Mickey

From their very first meeting, Edward is generous to Mickey, happily sharing his sweets:
- “Yes, of course. Take as many as you want.” (Act One).

Encouraging Mickey to pursue Linda

Even though Edward has strong feelings for Linda, he encourages Mickey to tell Linda how he really feels in order to help their relationship to develop:
- “Will you talk to Linda?” (Act Two).

Supporting Mickey and Linda

In adulthood, Edward continues to show his support for Mickey and Linda by arranging housing for the young family and a job for Mickey upon his release from prison:
- “Linda: We’ve got our own place an’ I think I’ve got Mickey a job… Some feller on the housin’ committee” (Act Two).

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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