Growing Up

Mickey and Edward as Children

The theme of growing up is central to the plot of Blood Brothers, and we see several clearly-defined stages of Mickey and Edward’s journey to adulthood.

Becoming "blood brothers"

From the moment Mickey invites Edward to “be my blood brother” (Act One), the boys enjoy playing mischievous childhood games: playing with toy guns and occasionally getting into minor trouble with the police.

Fears about Edward and Mickey's friendship

The two mothers, but particularly Mrs. Lyons, make a determined effort to separate the boys and stop them from playing with each other, with Mrs. Lyons going so far as to relocate her family to Skelmersdale.

Rekindling friendship

Fortunately for the boys, however, Mrs. Johnstone’s family are soon relocated to the same town, to “sixty-five Skelmersdale Lane” (Act One). As soon as they rediscover one another in their new town, their friendship reignites:
- “Edward: Isn’t it fantastic? We’re neighbours again.” (Act Two).

Teenage years

The boys are fourteen when they are reunited, and the teenage years which follow are, in many ways, idyllic.
The audience sees a montage of Mickey, Edward and Linda having fun together, with the Narrator describing them as “young, free and innocent” (Act Two).

Warning of darker times ahead

There also comes a warning from the Narrator at this point in the play that these carefree days will soon disappear:
- “And only if the three of them could stay like that forever, / And only if we could predict no changes in the weather" (Act Two).

Mickey and Edward Reaching Adulthood

When Mickey and Edward reach adulthood, their trajectories become increasingly different.

Unequal opportunities

As Mickey and Edward reach adulthood, however, there is a key pivotal moment in their journey of growing up.
While Mickey enters the world of low paid and insecure factory work, Edward moves away to begin his studies at university.
From this point onwards, the two brothers begin to grow apart as the inequality of society takes over and leads them in different directions.

Different opportunities growing up

While Edward is having a “fantastic” first term at university, meeting “tremendous people” (Act Two) and going to lots of parties, Mickey and Linda are forced to grow up very quickly and suddenly as Linda becomes pregnant and the couple get married.

Mickey growing up quicker than Edward

Edward returns home at Christmas and it really starts to become clear just how far apart the boys have grown in just a few months.
Edward, still very much a carefree child, fails to understand Mickey’s worries:
- “Edward: 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).
Mickey, however, has had to quickly grow up:
- “That was kids’ stuff Eddie. Didn’t anyone tell y’?” (Act Two).

Mickey's downfall

Mickey’s future downfall is hinted at through his relationship with his older brother, Sammy.
Sammy provides a window into the future, showing the audience the fate that awaits boys like Mickey, robbed of opportunities.
Even as a seven year old, Mickey looks up to Sammy, singing “I wish I was our Sammy” (Act One).
Sammy has a strong influence on Mickey, so it is no surprise that he is ultimately able to draw Mickey into criminal activities.

Edward flourishing

On the other hand, Edward’s intellect, good education and financial support from his parents made it always seem inevitable that he would thrive, eventually growing up to become “Councillor Eddie Lyons” (Act Two).

Edward and Mickey growing apart

While the boys are able to spend their childhood years largely protected from the realities of the unfair society that awaits them, when they reach adulthood there is no escaping from the unfairness and inequality which ultimately causes them to grow apart.

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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