Mickey
English Lit: AQA GCSE Blood Brothers, topic 3.1.1
Mickey: Positive characteristics
Mickey is an energetic and mischievous young boy. Russell makes him a likeable character to make the audience invested in him and his downfall during adulthood.
Energetic
- Although it is Edward who initiates the first conversation between the two brothers at the age of seven, Mickey soon becomes an enthusiastic participant in their conversation.
- It is Mickey who suggests the two should become ‘blood brothers’:
- “Do you wanna be my blood brother, Eddie?” (Act One).
Mischievous
- During his childhood years, Mickey seems to enjoy getting up to mischief, although this is mostly harmless and innocent:
- “Come on Eddie, you can have a shot at our target in the park.” (Act One).
Good natured
- Russell has created Mickey as a good-natured and likeable child, and this makes his demise when he reaches adulthood even more shocking and saddening.
- Russell therefore uses the character of Mickey to show how the innocence of childhood is prematurely taken away from those who are born into poverty.
A good friend
- Mickey seems to really enjoy the fact that he can teach Edward lots of things he has learnt on the street, like swearing and getting up to mischief.
- This helps Mickey to feel confident and comfortable around Edward:
- “Yeh. Yeh, I know loads of words like that. Y’know, like the ‘F’ word.” (Act One).
- During their teenage years, Mickey sings about how he admires Edward’s intelligence:
- “If I was like him, I’d know all the right words.” (Act Two).
Mickey: Shy and Insecure
Mickey is presented as a shy and insecure young boy.
Envious of Sammy
- As a child, Mickey idolises and envies his brother Sammy, looking up to his antics. However, he also feels pressure to impress Sammy, possibly a symptom of being the youngest in the family:
- “ I wish I was our Sammy.” (Act One).
- This desire to please Sammy could be one of the reasons that Mickey is ultimately persuaded to act as a lookout for Sammy in the ill-fated robbery.
Relationship with Linda
- Mickey’s insecurity is also seen during his teenage years through the way he acts towards Linda.
- Although it is clear to the audience that there is a mutual attraction, Mickey thinks he is not good enough for her:
- “I’ve got pimples an’ me feet are too big an’ me bum sticks out.” (Act Two).
A warning for the audience
- Perhaps Russell is using this shyness and vulnerability as a warning that Mickey is going to struggle greatly with the pressures of adulthood.
Test yourself on Mickey
Who first initiates conversation between Edward and Mickey?
As a child, who does Mickey idolise and envy?