Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/4-3-1-friendship-and-brotherhood [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) › Friendship & Brotherhood # Friendship & Brotherhood English Lit: AQA GCSE Blood Brothers, topic 4.3.1 ## Mickey and Edward's friendship Despite all of their differences, the friendship between Mickey and Edward is very strong throughout their entire childhood. During their teenage years, Mickey and Edward are inseparable, but things change suddenly as they enter adulthood. ### Russell's use of friendship ![Russell's use of friendship](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/765b91b7-556b-4a17-9c37-cdec7f552ec7/friends-hug.jpg) - Russell could be using the childhood friendship between Mickey and Edward to make the point that children are able to overcome social divides and see beyond matters of class and money. - Although Sammy immediately identifies Edward as a **“friggin’ poshy”** (Act One), this does not seem to have much of an effect on the close friendship that forms between Edward and Mickey. ### Why Russell shows the collapse of friendship ![Why Russell shows the collapse of friendship](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/4acb6f9c-5c06-4230-af07-db8f2a8af455/debating-group-argument-persuading.jpg) - With the crumbling of their friendship which occurs almost immediately after the boys reach adulthood, Russell could also be making the point that adults are not able to see beyond class barriers in the same way that children are: - **“Mickey: Eddie, just do me a favour and piss off, will ye?”** (Act Two). ### What Mickey and Edward share ![What Mickey and Edward share](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/af19c236-970e-42bc-b65b-2ecbff968521/friend-sibling.jpg) - As children, Edward and Mickey share many different experiences meaning that, in spite of Edward’s wealth and Mickey’s poverty, the two boys have many things in common, giving them a solid foundation for friendship. - In adulthood, however, their experiences could not be more different. Mickey’s unemployment causes him to become **“old before his time”** (Act Two), while Edward is enjoying his carefree time at university. ### Interactions with Linda ![Interactions with Linda](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/a11c35b3-9d66-428b-a961-282f718fff00/coffee-date-couple-shy.jpg) - While Mickey finds it hard to talk about his feelings for Linda, full of anxiety and worry that Linda will reject him because **“I’ve got pimples an’ me feet are too big an’ me bum sticks out an’...”** (Act Two), Edward sets aside his own strong feelings for Linda and helps Mickey by encouraging him to tell her how he really feels: - **“Edward: Will you talk to Linda?”** (Act Two). ### Meaning of Edward and Linda's affair ![Meaning of Edward and Linda's affair](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/df4811d1-17eb-475d-8410-0d794ab48988/couple-sunset.jpg) - Edward's act of selflessness symbolises the strength of their bond as friends, and so the affair between Edward and Linda which happens later in the play, **“just a light romance”** (Act Two) as Mrs. Johnstone sings, actually represents an irreconcilable break in that bond. ## Mickey and Edward as Friends Of course, unknown to Mickey and Edward, they are not just friends: they are brothers. To Mickey and Edward, their friendship is failing, but what the audience is seeing is actually more like a family breakdown. ### Dismissing friendship ![Dismissing friendship](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/1.3.1%20-%20Mass,weight%20and%20density/inertia-pushing-car-min.jpg) - Unaware that they are actually brothers, Mickey dismisses his friendship with Eddie as nothing more than **“kids’ stuff”** (Act Two), believing that he can simply push Edward away from him, unaware of how deep their connection really is. ### Edward and Linda's affair ![Edward and Linda's affair](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/61cff687-3975-48ad-a7e6-257372cbaa7c/couple-cuddling-closeness.jpg) - It could be said that Edward’s affair with Linda later on in Act Two is only able to take place because Mickey has pushed Edward away from him, effectively ending their friendship. - After all, Edward once sang about how he would never let his feelings for Linda get in the way of his friendship with Mickey: - **“Edward: But I’m not saying a word / I’m not saying I care.”** (Act Two). ## Test yourself on Friendship & Brotherhood - What does Russell use to overcome social divides? - When they are older, what does Mickey dismiss his friendship with Edward as? - By pushing Edward away, what has Mickey done to their friendship? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/33ff5ba5-a517-4edd-9912-da9d9d7fc976/section/e9aaf4a1-f87e-4d9f-81ec-932db20b6531/session) - Previous 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) - Next topic: [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) ## 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)