Mrs Lyons 2

Test yourself

Mrs. Lyons: Vulnerable

Although she can be manipulative, we must remember that Mrs. Lyons is vulnerable and lonely.

Insecure about not having children

Mrs. Lyons sometimes appears to be a vulnerable character, especially when she talks about how she is unable to have children, which is the one thing she wants more than anything in the world:
- “We bought such a large house for the - for the children - we thought children would come along.” (Act One).

Lonely

The fact that Mrs. Lyons spends a lot of time alone on account of her husband often being away with work might also elicit some sympathy for her:
- “It’s a pretty house, isn’t it? It’s a pity it’s so big. I’m finding it rather large at present.” (Act One).

Do we sympathise with Mrs. Lyons?

However, this sympathy is short-lived as Mrs. Lyons goes on to act in a spiteful way during the final act, revealing Edward and Linda’s affair to Mickey, clearly confirming herself to be the villain of the play.

Mrs. Lyons: Paranoid

As the villain of the play, Mrs. Lyons displays signs of paranoia and instability.

Feeling guilty

Mrs. Lyons clearly feels guilty about what she has done, and this guilt develops into a paranoia that eats away at her.
Firstly, soon after the birth of Mickey and Edward, Mrs. Lyons sacks Mrs. Johnstone on the pretence that her “work has deteriorated.” (Act One).

Moving to the countryside

Still not satisfied that there is sufficient distance between Edward and his biological family, Mrs. Lyons insists that her family move away to the countryside:
- “I hate it. Richard, I don’t want to stay here any more. I want to move.” (Act One).

Paranoia

While Mrs. Lyons initially presents herself as level-headed and well-educated, associating superstitions with “silly mothers” (Act One), Mrs. Lyons gradually begins to develop superstitious beliefs in a further sign that paranoia is eating away at her conscience:
- “She is stopped by the sight of the shoes on the table. She rushes at the table and sweeps the shoes off.” (Act One).

Accusing Mrs. Johnstone

Perhaps one of the most shocking moments of the play comes when Mrs. Lyons confronts Mrs. Johnstone, accusing her of following them to the countryside. In a sign that all rational thought has been lost, Mrs. Lyons attacks Mrs. Johnstone with a “lethal looking kitchen knife” (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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