Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-7-1-sammy

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# Sammy

English Lit: AQA GCSE Blood Brothers, topic 3.7.1

## Sammy: Aggressive and Threatening

Sammy is immediately aware of societal injustice and feels hard done by. In turn he becomes an aggressive and threatening character.

### Reaction to Edward

![Reaction to Edward](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/ce7bf1f1-5868-4b29-b877-d4e392445cba/twins-matching-similar-.jpg)

- From the outset, Sammy seems to be very aware of society’s class divides, and displays a hostile attitude towards Edward when they first meet, highlighting the key difference between the two twins: 
 - **“He’s a… poshy.”** (Act One).

### Aggressive as a child

![Aggressive as a child](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/edf1274a-edc2-42d3-b1af-c169d9cde1d6/shutterstock_598929575.jpg)

- Early on in the play, Mickey describes Sammy as **“dead mean sometimes”** (Act One), and his tendency to be rough and aggressive as a child is a warning sign of the kind of adult he is set to become.

### Betrayed by society

![Betrayed by society](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/memory-location-images/Mexico%20City,%20Mexico-min.jpg)

- Perhaps Sammy’s aggression comes from the way he is marginalised by society.
- He has no father, no prospects of employment, and no money. Russell could be using his character to illustrate what becomes of the people who society tries to ignore.

## Sammy: Spiralling Behaviour

As the play develops, Sammy's behaviour spirals and becomes increasingly dangerous.

### A role model for Mickey

![A role model for Mickey](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/7c29dcbe-15c8-4313-9166-550d20f63496/francis-drake-sir-.jpg)

- At first, Mickey admires Sammy’s bad behaviour, singing **“I wish I was our Sammy”**, looking up to him for his humorous pranks.
- Therefore, despite his poor behaviour, Sammy is a role model to his younger brother.

### Burning down the school

![Burning down the school](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/64f81b89-7c37-4ff5-a1e3-fd5921fde46c/shutterstock_664760770.jpg)

- However, Sammy’s behaviour deteriorates and moves far beyond what one might consider to be innocent mischief. When Mrs. Johnstone sings **“our Sammy burnt the school down”** (Act Two), she also goes on to defend his behaviour by blaming the teacher for allowing **“the silly gets”** to **“play with magnesium”** (Act Two).
- This shows that Sammy’s upbringing lacks clear boundaries and that his mother often allows him to get away with things. This could be a reason why his behaviour continues to worsen throughout the play.

### The bus incident

![The bus incident](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/66d2b1ba-433a-4ca3-b0c7-92b513d4452b/shutterstock_583939735.jpg)

- Another situation in which Sammy presents very worrying behaviour is the incident on the bus, where an argument over the fare gets out of hand and results in Sammy threatening the bus driver.
- Mickey tries to handle the situation in order to diffuse it and get Sammy out of trouble, but this is a sign of what is to come later on, when Mickey will not be able to avoid being drawn in to Sammy’s criminal ways:
 - **“Sammy, tell him, tell him you’re really sixteen. I’ll lend you the rest of the fare…”** (Act Two).

### Armed robbery

![Armed robbery](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/239191ab-dd94-46fc-b5d6-ff21adc3998c/safe-steel-door-robbery-.jpg)

- The final escalation of Sammy’s delinquency is his involvement in the armed robbery which ultimately leads to Mickey being imprisoned:
 - **“Fifty quid Mickey. Fifty quid for an hour’s work.”** (Act Two).

## Sammy: Gun Obsessed

Throughout the play, Sammy is very interested in guns. This becomes relevant in the climax of the plot, as Mickey kills Edward.

### Childhood interest

![Childhood interest](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/38197377-2856-47bb-924c-41e6f46f99fe/toy-gun.jpg)

- From the very start of the play, Sammy has a keen interest in playing with toy guns.
- Although this starts off as innocent play, the toy gun symbolises the violence which is to come as Sammy soon intends to move on from toy guns to real guns:
 - **“It only fires caps. I’m gonna get a real gun soon, I’m gonna get an airgun.”** (Act One).

### Robbery

![Robbery](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/778c35af-23ad-42f1-a0d7-af6466678247/french-musket-gun-.jpg)

- Sure enough, Sammy’s toy guns soon become real guns, and the botched robbery in Act Two mirrors the games Sammy and the others used to play as children in a dark and sinister way:
 - **“You shot him, you shot him.”** (Act Two).

### Mickey using Sammy's gun

![Mickey using Sammy's gun](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/7bd007f2-c4e8-4844-85b9-b19d8b42ac2b/gun.jpg)

- Sammy’s ability to obtain guns becomes a central part of the plot because, in the end, it is Sammy’s gun, hidden under the floorboards, that Mickey uses to kill Edward.

## Test yourself on Sammy

- What might Sammy's aggression come from?
- **“I wish I was our Sammy”**: Who sings this phrase?
- How much money does Sammy offer Mickey for helping in the robbery?
- Where does Sammy hide his gun?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/33ff5ba5-a517-4edd-9912-da9d9d7fc976/section/9dc2e7ee-23e9-404e-84d2-0d5245b577f9/session)

- Previous topic: [3.6.1 Mr Lyons](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-6-1-mr-lyons.md)
- Next topic: [3.8.1 The Narrator](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-8-1-the-narrator.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)