Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/5-1-1-structure

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# Structure

English Lit: AQA GCSE Blood Brothers, topic 5.1.1

## Parallels Between Characters

The play is structured in a way which allows the audience to clearly see the parallels (similarities) and contrasts between characters.

### Similarities between Mrs. Johnstone and Mrs. Lyons

![Similarities between Mrs. Johnstone and Mrs. Lyons](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/biology/6.2.1%20-%20Variation%20and%20evolution/similar%20dogs.jpg)

- The main parallel between Mrs. Johnstone and Mrs. Lyons, for example, is that they both play the role of mothers.

### Contrasts between Mrs. Johnstone and Mrs. Lyons

![Contrasts between Mrs. Johnstone and Mrs. Lyons](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/2a2cff4c-70ec-44bf-ab32-05240188c917/different-nationalities-1124478_1920.jpg)

- While Mrs. Johnstone has many children of her own, Mrs. Lyons is unable to become pregnant:
 - **“Mrs. Johnstone: Here’s you can’t have kids, an’ me, I can’t stop havin’ them.”** (Act One).
- Mrs. Johnstone lives in poverty,  while Mrs. Lyons is rich and can depend on her husband for support.
- Mrs. Johnstone feels as if she is **“incapable of controllin’”** (Act One) her kids, while Mrs. Lyons is excessively controlling and manipulative.

### Similarities between Edward and Mickey at school

![Similarities between Edward and Mickey at school](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/1c800b25-fd3a-4267-86d2-13e4ca394c3b/window-similar-.jpg)

- In simultaneous (back-to-back) scenes, both boys are suspended from school as teenagers for challenging the authority of their teachers.
- Edward tells his teacher to **“take a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut”** (Act Two), while Mickey tells his teacher that the lesson is **“borin’”** (Act Two).

### Parallels between Edward and Mickey with Linda

![Parallels between Edward and Mickey with Linda](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/5736febf-7154-4e41-860f-eeef7ac1809d/train-parallels-.jpg)

- Another parallel between Mickey and Edward is that they are both strongly attracted to Linda.
- Mickey finds it **“dead difficult”** (Act Two) to tell Linda how he really feels, while Edward, for the sake of his friendship, sings that he is **“not saying a word”** (Act Two) about his true feelings for Linda.
- Of course, the other parallel is the similarly tragic end that the boys meet, as they both lose their lives.

### Contrasts between Mickey and Edward

![Contrasts between Mickey and Edward](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/ff333269-59b0-4ae5-86e7-cec15045fb21/gulls-discourage-exclude-bully.jpg)

- Despite their bond as twin brothers, their different upbringings have taken them in different directions:
 - Edward has a privileged and wealthy upbringing, while Mickey lives in relative poverty.
 - Edward grows up to be well-educated and with a successful career as **“Councillor Eddie Lyons”** (Act Two), while Mickey receives a poor education and is unsuccessful in adult life, getting fired from a job that he hated and suffering a mental breakdown in prison.

## 'Rise and Fall' Structure of _Blood Brothers_

The plot of Blood Brothers follows a ‘rise and fall’ structure. Most of Act One and the first half of Act Two builds up hope that the brothers will be able to escape the fate that awaits them.

### Destiny

![Destiny](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/a84718ef-8052-4ee7-9085-515670653c10/country-lane-farm.jpg)

- We are told by the Narrator at the very beginning that the twins are destined to be killed:
  - **“Till the day they died, when a mother cried / My own dear sons lie slain”**.

### Building friendship

![Building friendship](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/002e8432-fbb9-4243-9773-ce459f0bf8ef/shutterstock_510525073.jpg)

- As Mickey and Edward build their friendship throughout their infant and teenage years, they are able to overcome Mrs. Lyons’ attempts to separate them and have many happy adventures with Linda.
- This period of relative happiness as the teenagers are ** “young, free and innocent”** (Act Two) could be said to continue up until Edward goes to university and Mickey and Linda get married.

### Downwards spiral

![Downwards spiral](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/7ec2d7a1-c91b-47ae-a672-71e0338e1bec/alpha-helix-secondary-structure-.jpg)

- What follows is a sudden change of mood and a sharp downward turn.
- From the moment Mickey is fired from the factory, his life spirals out of control and the tragic fate which we were warned about at the beginning again seems inevitable:
 - **“Mickey: See, there’s very little to celebrate Eddie. Since you left I’ve been walking around all day, every day, looking for a job”** (Act Two).

### The ending

![The ending](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/dbf70cf3-022d-4513-bab0-33d64e7cae32/road-start-finish-.jpg)

- By the end of the play, the audience feels almost foolish for once believing there was a chance that ‘fate’ could be cheated.
- The Narrator again reminds the audience that this tragic death had already been decided for the boys on the day they were born:
 - **"They were born, and they died, on the selfsame day.”** (Act Two).

## Test yourself on Structure

- What is the main parallel between Mrs. Johnstone and Mrs. Lyons?
- This period of relative happiness as the teenagers are ** “young, free and innocent”** continue until?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/33ff5ba5-a517-4edd-9912-da9d9d7fc976/section/c37b2121-2c5c-461a-8571-ca037810887b/session)

- Previous topic: [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)
- Next topic: [5.2.1 Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/5-2-1-tragedy.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)