3.2.2

Edward 2

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Edward: Impulsive

At certain points in the play, culminating with his affair with Linda, Edward acts impulsively.

Not caring about consequences

Not caring about consequences

  • On several occasions, Edward also shows that he does not always think about the consequences of his actions.
  • This is first seen when, as a child, he gets into trouble with the police for saying his name was “Adolf Hitler” (Act One).
  • He does this because he is trying to impress his new friends, Mickey and Linda, and clearly does not consider the fact that he would get into trouble for his comments.
Affair with Linda

Affair with Linda

  • When Edward has a love affair with Linda towards the end of Act Two, Edward is again showing his impulsive nature.
  • Fully aware of the hardships being faced by Mickey, Edward still goes ahead with this act of betrayal against his best friend, ignoring the inevitable consequences of his actions.

Edward: Detached from Reality

Although Edward is kind and supportive, his generosity is sometimes distasteful to Mickey. Edward's wealth and privilege blinds him to Mickey's reality.

Adventures

Adventures

  • As young children, Edward enjoys the adventures that come with sharing a childhood with Mickey, but he does not see the reality of how difficult things are for the Johnstone family, instead seeing everything Mickey says and does as “smashing” (Act One).
Naivety or ignorance?

Naivety or ignorance?

  • However, Edward’s childish naivety turns into middle class ignorance after his first term at university.
  • Edward returns home to the the news that Mickey has been fired, and he fails to understand the severe implications that unemployment can have:
    • “Why… why is a job so important? If I couldn’t get a job I’d just say, sod it and draw the dole, live like a bohemian.” (Act Two).
Unable to understand Mickey's position

Unable to understand Mickey's position

  • Edward also doesn’t seem to consider how providing housing and a job for Mickey would hurt his pride:
    • “Mickey: It used to be just sweets an’ ciggies he gave me. Now it’s a job and a house.” (Act Two).
Jump to other topics
1

Context & Author

1.1

Context

1.1.1Setting1.1.2Political Background1.1.3Education & Work1.1.4Marilyn Monroe & Pop Culture1.1.5Family
1.2

Author

1.2.1Willy Russell1.2.2End of Topic Test - Context & Author
2

Plot

2.1

Act One

2.1.1Overview: Introduction to Mrs Johnstone & Lyons2.1.2Analysis: Introduction to Mrs. Johnston and Lyons2.1.3Overview: The Birth of Mickey & Edward2.1.4Analysis: The Birth of Mickey & Edward2.1.5Overview: Mickey Playing at Home2.1.6Overview: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds2.1.7Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds2.1.8Overview: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds 22.1.9Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds 22.1.10End of Topic Test - Act One2.1.11End of Topic Test - Act One 2
2.2

Act Two

2.2.1Overview: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers2.2.2Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers2.2.3Overview: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 22.2.4Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 22.2.5Overview: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 32.2.6Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 32.2.7Overview: Mickey & Edward as Adults2.2.8Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Adults2.2.9End of Topic Test - Act Two2.2.10End of Topic Test - Act Two 2
3

Characters

3.1

Mickey

3.1.1Mickey3.1.2Mickey as a Damaged Adult
3.2

Edward

3.2.1Edward3.2.2Edward 23.2.3End of Topic Test - Mickey & Edward
3.3

Linda

3.3.1Linda3.3.2Linda 2
3.4

Mrs Johnstone

3.4.1Mrs Johnstone3.4.2Mrs Johnstone 2
3.5

Mrs Lyons

3.5.1Mrs Lyons3.5.2Mrs Lyons 23.5.3End of Topic Test - Linda & Mothers
3.6

Mr Lyons

3.6.1Mr Lyons
3.7

Sammy

3.7.1Sammy
3.8

The Narrator

3.8.1The Narrator
3.9

Minor

3.9.1Minor Characters3.9.2End of Topic Test - Other Characters
3.10

End of Topic Sessions

3.10.1Grade 9 - Key Characters
4

Themes

4.1

Parents & Children

4.1.1Parents & Children
4.2

Growing Up

4.2.1Growing Up
4.3

Friendship & Brotherhood

4.3.1Friendship & Brotherhood4.3.2End of Topic Test - Parents, Growing Up, Friends
4.4

Fate & Superstition

4.4.1Fate & Superstition
4.5

Nature vs. Nurture

4.5.1Nature vs. Nurture
4.6

Social Class

4.6.1Social Class4.6.2End of Topic Test - Fate, Upbringing & Class
5

Literary Techniques

5.1

Structure

5.1.1Structure
5.2

Tragedy

5.2.1Tragedy
5.3

Dramatic Irony

5.3.1Dramatic Irony
5.4

Imagery

5.4.1Imagery
5.5

Character & Voice

5.5.1Character
5.6

Music & Lyrics

5.6.1Music & Lyrics
5.7

Accent & Dialect

5.7.1Accent & Dialect5.7.2End of Topic Test - Literary Techniques5.7.3End of Topic Test - Literary Techniques 2

Practice questions on Edward 2

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    What does Edward NOT always think about?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Who does Edward have an affair with?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    The impact of Edward's affair with Linda:True / false
  4. 4
    What does Edward's childish naivety turn into after his first term at university?Multiple choice
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Edward

End of Topic Test - Mickey & Edward