Linda 2

Test yourself

Linda: Strong and Independent

Linda is presented as a strong and independent character.

A guiding presence

Linda is clearly presented as a strong character and, for the majority of the play, Mickey looks to Linda for advice and instruction:
- “You stay where y’ are, Mickey.” (Act Two).

Strength when Mickey is away

Linda copes while Mickey is away in prison, managing to stay strong and using her resourcefulness to try and get the family back on track upon Mickey’s release.
Using her connections with “a feller on the housing committee” (Edward), she successfully organises accommodation for the family and a job for Mickey.

Concealing things from Mickey

Knowing full well that Mickey would not approve of this kind of charity, she does her best to keep the source of their improved fortunes a secret.

Linda: Flaws

Although Linda is presented as a strong and good natured character, she is still flawed. This culminates in her affair with Edward.

Affair with Edward

Although the audience undoubtedly sympathises with Linda’s plight, she too shows herself to be a flawed character when she initiates an affair with Edward which ultimately contributes to the play’s bloody climax.
The affair is presented to the audience in a largely wordless way, while Mrs. Johnstone sings:
- “Nothing cruel, / Nothing wrong. / It’s just two fools, / Who know the rules, / But break them all.” (Act Two).

Guilty?

Through Mrs. Johnstone’s song, it seems that Russell is suggesting that the audience should not blame Linda for her actions, but instead understand that Mickey and Linda have been driven apart by unfortunate circumstances.

Mickey's breakdown

However, it must be remembered that the failure of Mickey and Linda’s relationship is a key part of Mickey’s breakdown at the end of the play.
As Mickey says, Linda was “the one thing left in my life.” (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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