Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-3-overview-the-birth-of-mickey-and-edward [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA GCSE Blood Brothers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers.md) › Overview: The Birth of Mickey & Edward # Overview: The Birth of Mickey & Edward English Lit: AQA GCSE Blood Brothers, topic 2.1.3 ## Overview: The Plan to Give Mrs. Lyons a Baby In this scene, Mrs. Lyons convinces Mrs. Johnstone to give her one of her twins. ### Mrs. Johnstone asks Mrs. Lyons ![Mrs. Johnstone asks Mrs. Lyons](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/f363f114-c6ed-4446-afdd-497aad19e357/baby-sleeping.jpg) - When Mrs. Johnstone asks Mrs. Lyons if she is really **“that desperate to have a baby”**, Mrs. Lyons responds in song. - The song explains how she always imagines having a son of her own, but that he always **“fades away”**. - It is at this point that Mrs. Johnstone begins to really consider the proposition, imagining the luxurious life her child would have if he **“was raised in a palace like this”**. ### The plan is agreed ![The plan is agreed](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/c8040921-3e2d-40bb-9542-c17d1dc6cd66/shaking-hands.jpg) - Together, the two women imagine the future success of the unborn child, and Mrs. Johnstone agrees to the plan. - Mrs. Lyons repeats her promise to allow Mrs. Johnstone to see the child whenever she wants. ### Swearing to secrecy ![Swearing to secrecy](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/1b8ba991-4cf4-4345-97c2-aa53fc2c840a/secret-shh.jpg) - Mrs. Lyons makes Mrs. Johnstone swear on the Bible never to tell anyone the truth behind the plan. - The Narrator appears again at this moment and tells the audience that **“there’s no going back for anyone”** from this moment, and that Mrs. Johnstone is in Mrs. Lyons’ debt. ## Overview: Mrs. Johnstone Gives Birth This scene shows Mrs. Johnstone giving birth, with Mrs. Lyons taking Edward. ### Bills ![Bills](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/996909f0-cfa5-4c7c-be05-28b7f084f1b3/receipt.jpg) - The scene then shifts to a hospital, where Mrs. Johnstone has given birth to two boys. - Mrs. Johnstone returns home and is confronted by people she owes money to (the Finance Man and the Catalogue Man), who are demanding she pays them for unsettled bills. - More men enter and begin to remove possessions from the house, and Mrs. Johnstone sings about how the biggest debt of her life is the promise she has made to give one of her sons to Mrs. Lyons. - She sings that her newborn son is **“only mine until the time comes round to pay the bill.”** ### Mrs. Lyons takes a baby ![Mrs. Lyons takes a baby](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/21e740a4-9281-4588-bd55-9df4d9dc8066/baby-2387661_1920.jpg) - Mrs. Lyons, **“still with the pregnancy padding”**, is upset because Mrs. Johnstone had failed to notify her about giving birth to the twins. - Mrs. Johnstone asks to **“keep them for a few more days, please, please”**, but Mrs. Lyons rejects the idea, reminding Mrs. Johnstone that she **“swore on the Bible”**. - Mrs. Johnstone reluctantly agrees to hand over one of the twins, and Mrs. Lyons tells Mrs. Johnstone to take a week off as maternity leave. - Mrs. Johnstone has to lie to her other children by saying that one of the twins has “gone up to heaven”. ### Mrs. Johnstone at work ![Mrs. Johnstone at work](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/4b1966ce-d9dc-429d-8345-c4dc48e8ebf5/mother-baby-child-hospital.jpg) - A week later, Mrs. Johnstone returns to work at Mrs. Lyons’ house. - She spends some time beside the crib of her son, when Mr. Lyons arrives and talks about how proud he is of his wife. - Mrs. Lyons, however, seems angry that Mrs. Johnstone is with the baby, telling her that **“he doesn’t want to be picked up”**. Mrs. Johnstone is saddened by this, and leaves. ### Mrs. Lyons' anger ![Mrs. Lyons' anger](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/5ca25ce4-75ab-4d4a-9fb1-eb3cb46949eb/Anger-Antagonist-Bully-Cartoon.jpg) - Mrs. Lyons tells her husband that she is bothered by the way Mrs. Johnstone is “**cooing and cuddling as if she were his mother”**. - Although Mr. Lyons tries to calm his wife down, she is unmoved and states that she wants them to fire Mrs. Johnstone immediately. - Mr. Lyons gives his wife permission to sack Mrs. Johnstone if that is what she wants, and Mrs. Lyons goes on to ask her husband for 50 pounds because she has **“got the nursery to sort out”**. Mr. Lyons gives her the money and leaves. ### Mrs. Lyons fires Mrs. Johnstone ![Mrs. Lyons fires Mrs. Johnstone](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/d4a780fd-ec91-4f60-a941-3be3354a59d9/shutterstock_146536856.jpg) - Mrs. Lyons tells Mrs. Johnstone that she is being sacked because **“her work has deteriorated”**, and gives her 50 pounds before telling her to never return. - Mrs. Johnstone’s reaction is one of shock, and she says that **“if I’m goin’, I’m takin’ my son with me”**, threatening to call the police if necessary. - Mrs. Lyons counters this by pointing out that it is Mrs. Johnstone who will be in trouble with the police for essentially selling her baby. ### Superstition ![Superstition](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/ef38499a-9dab-4a31-9666-57ff73505847/fear-letters.jpg) - Mrs. Johnstone says she will reveal the truth about the twins, and Mrs. Lyons reacts by telling Mrs. Johnstone about a fictional superstition **“that if either twin learns he was once a pair, they both shall immediately die”**. This is a warning to Mrs. Johnstone that, if she ever tells anyone the truth, she **“will kill them”**. - The Narrator returns and sings about various symbols of bad luck again, before telling Mrs. Johnstone that **“the devil’s got your number”** and that he is **“knocking at your door.”** ## Test yourself on Overview: The Birth of Mickey & Edward - How does Mrs. Lyons respond to Mrs. Johnstone asking if she is really **“that desperate to have a baby”**? - What does Mrs. Lyons make Mrs. Johnstone swear on? - Mrs. Lyons Takes One of Mrs. Johnstone's Babies [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/33ff5ba5-a517-4edd-9912-da9d9d7fc976/section/b791644d-cb21-4dc7-9f3b-c24f8fa19b56/session) - Previous topic: [2.1.2 Analysis: Introduction to Mrs. Johnston and Lyons](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-2-analysis-introduction-to-mrs-johnston-and-lyons.md) - Next topic: [2.1.4 Analysis: The Birth of Mickey & Edward](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-4-analysis-the-birth-of-mickey-and-edward.md) ## English Lit: AQA GCSE Blood Brothers contents ### 1 Context & Author - 1.1 Context - [1.1.1 Setting](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/1-1-1-setting.md) - [1.1.2 Political Background](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/1-1-2-political-background.md) - [1.1.3 Education & Work](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/1-1-3-education-and-work.md) - [1.1.4 Marilyn Monroe & Pop Culture](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/1-1-4-marilyn-monroe-and-pop-culture.md) - [1.1.5 Family](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/1-1-5-family.md) - 1.2 Author - [1.2.1 Willy Russell](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/1-2-1-willy-russell.md) - [1.2.2 End of Topic Test - Context & Author](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/1-2-2-end-of-topic-test-context-and-author.md) ### 2 Plot - 2.1 Act One - [2.1.1 Overview: Introduction to Mrs Johnstone & Lyons](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-1-overview-introduction-to-mrs-johnstone-and-lyons.md) - [2.1.2 Analysis: Introduction to Mrs. Johnston and Lyons](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-2-analysis-introduction-to-mrs-johnston-and-lyons.md) - [2.1.3 Overview: The Birth of Mickey & Edward](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-3-overview-the-birth-of-mickey-and-edward.md) - [2.1.4 Analysis: The Birth of Mickey & Edward](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-4-analysis-the-birth-of-mickey-and-edward.md) - [2.1.5 Overview: Mickey Playing at Home](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-5-overview-mickey-playing-at-home.md) - [2.1.6 Overview: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-6-overview-mickey-and-edward-as-seven-year-olds.md) - [2.1.7 Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-7-analysis-mickey-and-edward-as-seven-year-olds.md) - [2.1.8 Overview: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-8-overview-mickey-and-edward-as-seven-year-olds-2.md) - [2.1.9 Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-9-analysis-mickey-and-edward-as-seven-year-olds-2.md) - [2.1.10 End of Topic Test - Act One](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-10-end-of-topic-test-act-one.md) - [2.1.11 End of Topic Test - Act One 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-11-end-of-topic-test-act-one-2.md) - 2.2 Act Two - [2.2.1 Overview: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-2-1-overview-mickey-and-edward-as-teenagers.md) - [2.2.2 Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-2-2-analysis-mickey-and-edward-as-teenagers.md) - [2.2.3 Overview: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-2-3-overview-mickey-and-edward-as-teenagers-2.md) - [2.2.4 Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-2-4-analysis-mickey-and-edward-as-teenagers-2.md) - [2.2.5 Overview: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-2-5-overview-mickey-and-edward-as-teenagers-3.md) - [2.2.6 Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-2-6-analysis-mickey-and-edward-as-teenagers-3.md) - [2.2.7 Overview: Mickey & Edward as Adults](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-2-7-overview-mickey-and-edward-as-adults.md) - [2.2.8 Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Adults](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-2-8-analysis-mickey-and-edward-as-adults.md) - [2.2.9 End of Topic Test - Act Two](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-2-9-end-of-topic-test-act-two.md) - [2.2.10 End of Topic Test - Act Two 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-2-10-end-of-topic-test-act-two-2.md) ### 3 Characters - 3.1 Mickey - [3.1.1 Mickey](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-1-1-mickey.md) - [3.1.2 Mickey as a Damaged Adult](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-1-2-mickey-as-a-damaged-adult.md) - 3.2 Edward - [3.2.1 Edward](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-2-1-edward.md) - [3.2.2 Edward 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-2-2-edward-2.md) - [3.2.3 End of Topic Test - Mickey & Edward](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-2-3-end-of-topic-test-mickey-and-edward.md) - 3.3 Linda - [3.3.1 Linda](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-3-1-linda.md) - [3.3.2 Linda 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-3-2-linda-2.md) - 3.4 Mrs Johnstone - [3.4.1 Mrs Johnstone](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-4-1-mrs-johnstone.md) - [3.4.2 Mrs Johnstone 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-4-2-mrs-johnstone-2.md) - 3.5 Mrs Lyons - [3.5.1 Mrs Lyons](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-5-1-mrs-lyons.md) - [3.5.2 Mrs Lyons 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-5-2-mrs-lyons-2.md) - [3.5.3 End of Topic Test - Linda & Mothers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-5-3-end-of-topic-test-linda-and-mothers.md) - 3.6 Mr Lyons - [3.6.1 Mr Lyons](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-6-1-mr-lyons.md) - 3.7 Sammy - [3.7.1 Sammy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-7-1-sammy.md) - 3.8 The Narrator - [3.8.1 The Narrator](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-8-1-the-narrator.md) - 3.9 Minor - [3.9.1 Minor Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-9-1-minor-characters.md) - [3.9.2 End of Topic Test - Other Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-9-2-end-of-topic-test-other-characters.md) - 3.10 End of Topic Sessions - [3.10.1 Grade 9 - Key Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-10-1-grade-9-key-characters.md) ### 4 Themes - 4.1 Parents & Children - [4.1.1 Parents & Children](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/4-1-1-parents-and-children.md) - 4.2 Growing Up - [4.2.1 Growing Up](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/4-2-1-growing-up.md) - 4.3 Friendship & Brotherhood - [4.3.1 Friendship & Brotherhood](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/4-3-1-friendship-and-brotherhood.md) - [4.3.2 End of Topic Test - Parents, Growing Up, Friends](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/4-3-2-end-of-topic-test-parents-growing-up-friends.md) - 4.4 Fate & Superstition - [4.4.1 Fate & Superstition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/4-4-1-fate-and-superstition.md) - 4.5 Nature vs. Nurture - [4.5.1 Nature vs. Nurture](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/4-5-1-nature-vs-nurture.md) - 4.6 Social Class - [4.6.1 Social Class](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/4-6-1-social-class.md) - [4.6.2 End of Topic Test - Fate, Upbringing & Class](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/4-6-2-end-of-topic-test-fate-upbringing-and-class.md) ### 5 Literary Techniques - 5.1 Structure - [5.1.1 Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/5-1-1-structure.md) - 5.2 Tragedy - [5.2.1 Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/5-2-1-tragedy.md) - 5.3 Dramatic Irony - [5.3.1 Dramatic Irony](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/5-3-1-dramatic-irony.md) - 5.4 Imagery - [5.4.1 Imagery](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/5-4-1-imagery.md) - 5.5 Character & Voice - [5.5.1 Character](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/5-5-1-character.md) - 5.6 Music & Lyrics - [5.6.1 Music & Lyrics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/5-6-1-music-and-lyrics.md) - 5.7 Accent & Dialect - [5.7.1 Accent & Dialect](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/5-7-1-accent-and-dialect.md) - [5.7.2 End of Topic Test - Literary Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/5-7-2-end-of-topic-test-literary-techniques.md) - [5.7.3 End of Topic Test - Literary Techniques 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/5-7-3-end-of-topic-test-literary-techniques-2.md)