section b- blood brothers

• What is the title of Willy Russell's acclaimed musical?

  Blood Brothers
• What does Willy Russell's work combine according to the text?

  Social commentary and subtle characterisation
• What is the central theme of Blood Brothers?

  Class, fate, and destiny
• Where did Blood Brothers première?

  Liverpool Playhouse
• What does the musical Blood Brothers explore according to the text?

  Childhood and adolescence
• What does the story of Blood Brothers revolve around?

  Two brothers separated at birth
• How does Mickey differ from Eddie in Blood Brothers?

  Mickey is scruffy; Eddie is well-spoken
• What does Mrs Johnstone experience in her marriage?

  A half-hearted marriage
• What does Mrs Johnstone reveal about her situation?

  She has little means to support her children
• What is the atmosphere of Mrs Johnstone's home compared to Mrs Lyons' home?

  Clamorous vs. cold and sterile
• Why does Mrs Lyons want one of the twins?

  They cannot have a baby of their own
• How does Mickey influence Eddie's childhood?

  Mickey introduces Eddie to exciting games
• What dramatic irony exists when Mickey and Eddie become 'Blood Brothers'?

  The audience knows their true relationship
• What does Mrs Lyons fear about Mickey and Eddie's friendship?

  She fears they will discover their brotherhood
• What does Mrs Johnstone do when she says goodbye to Eddie?

  She puts on a brave face
• What new hope does Mrs Johnstone receive?

  Her family is relocated to a new estate
• How do Mickey and Eddie change when they reunite as teenagers?

  They drop their exterior personalities
• What does Eddie get in trouble for at school?

  Wearing a locket from Mrs Johnstone
• How does Mrs Lyons react to Mrs Johnstone after Eddie's incident?

  She accuses Mrs Johnstone of ruining her
• What pivotal event leads to Mickey's downfall?

  His involvement with a shooting
• How does Mickey's release from prison affect him?

  He remains dependent on medication
• What leads to the tragic climax of Blood Brothers?

  Eddie's affair with Linda
• What does Mrs Johnstone reveal to Mickey and Eddie at the climax?

  The truth about their brotherhood
• What is the significance of the last song, 'Tell Me It’s Not True'?

  It reflects the consequences of their decisions
• What are the key themes in Blood Brothers?

  • Class and social divide
  • Fate and destiny
  • Childhood and adolescence
  • Surrogacy and superstition
  • Nature vs. nurture
  • Author's voice and attitudes
  • Social, historical, and cultural contexts
• How do the characters of Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Lyons contrast in Blood Brothers?

  • Mrs Johnstone:
  • Down-to-earth, patient, and nurturing
  • Represents working-class struggles
  • Mrs Lyons:
  • Obsessed and possessive
  • Represents middle-class privilege
• What is the importance of observing characters and relationships in Blood Brothers?

  • Gaining thorough knowledge of the text
  • Understanding character motivations and conflicts
  • Recognizing social commentary and themes
• What role does superstition play in Blood Brothers?

  • Creates tension between characters
  • Influences decisions and actions
  • Foreshadows tragic outcomes
• How does Blood Brothers reflect on social class systems?

  • Highlights class divides between families
  • Examines the impact of upbringing on identity
  • Questions the notion of wealth equating to happiness
• What is Mrs Johnstone's attitude towards her sons' sexual curiosity?

  She accepts and does not suppress it.
• How is Mrs Johnstone portrayed in comparison to Mrs Lyons?

  As down-to-earth and approachable.
• What does Mrs Johnstone's refusal of money from Mrs Lyons signify?

  She values her life over financial gain.
• How does Mrs Lyons view money in relation to Mrs Johnstone's problems?

  As a solution to her problems.
• How is Mrs Lyons characterized in the play?

  As cold and over-protective of Eddie.
• What does the friendship between Mickey and Eddie represent for the audience?

  Dramatic irony and humor due to their brotherhood.
• How does Mickey's role change throughout the play?

  He becomes a childhood ringleader to Eddie.
• What does Eddie's character represent in the latter part of the play?

  A role model with a good job.
• What is the narrator's role in the play?

  To remind the audience of the brothers' tragic fate.
• How does the narrator's appearance contribute to his character?

  His black suit gives him a ghost-like quality.
• What does the song 'Shoes Upon the Table' signify in the play?

  A reminder of the brothers' tragic fate.