Mrs Lyons 2
English Lit: AQA GCSE Blood Brothers, topic 3.5.2
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).
Test yourself on Mrs Lyons 2
What role does Mrs. Lyons assume when she reveals Edward and Linda's affair to Mickey?
What does Mrs. Lyons' guilt develop into?