Edward

• middle class upbringing


  He is presented as innocent, finding Mickey’s rough ways amusing. Despite his trouble at school and with the law, he is offered a second chance, unlike Mickey. He goes to a private school and a top university, which secures him a powerful job. His confidence and sociability grow from his university friends, while Mickey is shown to have no friends except for his brother who leads him to crime
• trusting and open-hearted

  His connection with Mickey cannot be separated and he refuses to obey his mother’s advice about working-class friends like Mickey. Edward’s kindness (helping Mickey with money, a job and a house) causes Mickey’s jealousy and eventually destroys his self-esteem, suggesting the significance of social class differences
• shy and timid to confident and powerful

  He believes Mickey is confident despite Mickey’s shyness towards Linda, suggesting both the facade of confidence Mickey has raised, as well as Edward’s own ignorance about the world. In Act 1, Edward is shy and wishes he could be like Mickey. However, in Act 2, he is shown as confident and sociable with lots of friends and support. He becomes a powerful councillor; he helps Linda and starts an affair with her while Mickey is at his weakest. His inability to understand Mickey due to his sheltered life leads to his death, as well as Mickey’s