Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/4-1-1-parents-and-children

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# Parents & Children

English Lit: AQA GCSE Blood Brothers, topic 4.1.1

## The Johnstones as a Family

Many view Mrs. Johnstone as an irresponsible mother who can't control her children.

### Mrs. Johnstone giving freedom to her children

![Mrs. Johnstone giving freedom to her children](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/a34d11e9-6a80-4e24-86ee-fb740ffcb2c9/freedom-release-free-handcuff.jpg)

- A good example of Mrs' Johnstone's liberated attitudes towards parenthood is when she allows her children to go to the cinema to see **“Nymphomaniac Nights”** and **“Swedish Au Pairs”** (Act Two), both of which are pornographic films which would not normally be considered appropriate for children.
- She is also somewhat irresponsible when she makes excuses for Sammy when he burns down the school, blaming the teacher for letting the children **“play with magnesium”** (Act Two).

### Perceptions of Mrs. Johnstone

![Perceptions of Mrs. Johnstone](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/d6b0bbb5-9cb9-4d1d-b9a2-c449056f1a06/girl-looking-binoculars-viewing-.jpg)

- In the eyes of many people, Mrs. Johnstone gives her children too much freedom and this contributes to their unruly behaviour.
- However, there are times when she imposes some boundaries on Mickey, the youngest child in the family.
- The then-seven-year-old Mickey is **“not allowed to go to the baths”**, nor is he **“allowed to play with matches”** (Act One).

### Mrs. Johnstone's neighbours

![Mrs. Johnstone's neighbours](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/f4b3d618-ac57-4005-b131-5cedbb7eb36d/neighbour-love-friend.jpg)

- Mrs. Johnstone’s neighbours celebrate when they find out that the family will be moving away, with one neighbour observing that finally **“it’ll be calm an’ peaceful round here”** (Act One) when the Johnstones are gone.
- This shows that people in the community generally have a low opinion of Mrs. Johnstone’s parenting capabilities.

### Mrs. Johnstone not controlling her children

![Mrs. Johnstone not controlling her children](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/3c6cc906-9f95-4c2e-97d7-baef7f204d6a/riot-police-men-aggressive-.jpg)

-  Mrs. Johnstone acknowledges that she might appear **“incapable of controllin’ the kids I’ve already got”** (Act One), but she also makes it clear that she loves her family very much: 
 - **“I love the bones of every one of them”** (Act One).
- This creates the impression that Mrs. Johnstone is a good-natured and loving mother who is simply doing her best in the face of adversity.

## The Lyons family

Mrs. Lyon has a much stricter attitude to parenting than Mrs. Johnstone. However, the Lyons do not necessarily have a happier family life.

### Cracks in domestic bliss?

![Cracks in domestic bliss?](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/676d85dd-8902-4a85-9e11-098924c2e41c/cracks-2099531_1920.jpg)

- Mrs. Lyons works hard to present an idyllic picture of middle class decency. We soon find out, however, that her family is far from perfect.
- There are several scenes of middle class domestic bliss in the Lyons household:
 - For example, when Mr. Lyons gives Edward a toy gun, and when Mrs. Lyons reads the family a story.

### Mr. Lyons' absence

![Mr. Lyons' absence](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/4b83b0b8-6240-45b3-a97f-a78ef5584573/shutterstock_1029843109.jpg)

- But, looking beneath the surface, we see that Mr. Lyons is often absent from family life, seemingly prioritising his career over his family.
- This concerns Mrs. Lyons, who worries that Edward is **“growing away”** (Act One) from his father.

### Mrs. Lyons' paranoia

![Mrs. Lyons' paranoia](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/4.1.1%20Creating%20Permanent%20Magnets/alternating-head-shake-min.jpg)

- Of course, unknown to Mr. Lyons, this paranoia about their son not being close to them comes from the fact that he is biologically not their son.
- Mrs. Lyons’ mental stability also begins to affect the Lyons’ family life as her feelings of paranoia eat away at her.
- When Edward swears at her, she responds by hitting Edward **“hard and instinctively”** (Act One), showing her to have a violent side.

## Test yourself on Parents & Children

- In the eyes of many people, what does Mrs. Johnstone give her children?
- What type of picture does Mrs. Lyons want to present?
- Who did Mrs. Lyons hit **“hard and instinctively”**?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/33ff5ba5-a517-4edd-9912-da9d9d7fc976/section/1c0e0fad-37df-4c25-a766-6a580faa1db0/session)

- Previous topic: [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)
- Next topic: [4.2.1 Growing Up](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/4-2-1-growing-up.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)