Edward 2

Test yourself

Edward: Impulsive

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

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

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

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?

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

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).

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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