Mrs Johnstone

• Mrs Johnstone represents the entrapment of working class women in a patriarchal society. Her identity is entirely based upon what men think of her, as her desperate need for validation permeates her life and actions. Russell uses her as a vessel to show the vicious cycle of poverty and the injustice that come with being a women in the working class.
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  Point - presented as a victim of naivety and a victim of false reality

  Quotes - 'Once I had a husband'

  'He said my eyes were deep blue pools'

  'And we went dancing'

  'I found i was in the club again'

  'Never put shoes on the table'
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  Point - Lack of control and ability to become easily manipulated left her voiceless and without option'

  Quotes - 'I love the bones of every one of them'

  'If my child was raised in a palace like this one'

  'Living on the never never'

  'Or the price i'll pay'
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  Point - Comes to a brutal realisation and becomes submissive realising society is against working class women.

  Quotes - 'I'll tell someone..... I'll tell the police'

  'You won't tell anyone about this Mrs Johnstone because if you do both shall immediately die'

  'Was about to commit a serious crime' juxtaposing 'Only a little prank'

  'Shakes her head'

  'We're starting all over again'
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  Point - Shows pride for who she is without feeling ashamed

  Quotes - 'I don't want you money. I made a life out here.'

  'Mrs Johnstone slowly walks down the centre aisle towards the platform'

  'He's your brother'

  'Tell me it's not true'
• ‘Once I had a husband’ links to fairy tale imagery implying Mrs Johnstone lives an idealistic life, away from the struggles deep rooted in society
• ‘He said my eyes were deep blue pools’ again shows the recurring image of fairy tale imagery and suggests her desperation allows her to be easily influenced by other people. This also shows her conflict within herself and her insecurities making her impressionable and a victim of manipulation from countless men
• 'He told me I was sexier than Marilyn Monroe’ the recurring image throughout the play of ‘Marilyn Monroe’ foreshadows Mrs Johnstone’s progressive deterioration as it represents fallen dreams and shows her potential to spiral
• ‘And we went dancing’ this metaphor emphasises how Mrs Johnstone craves human connection and lives a life of youth, freedom and irresponsibility.
• ‘I found I was in the club again’ shows she is incapable of accepting the consequences of her own actions showing her indulgence.
• Never put shoes on the table’ shows her reliability on fate and how she is at peace having no control in her life juxtaposing Mrs Lyons’ constant desire to have the upper hand. Mrs Johnstone relies on superstition to be at peace with fate without taking responsibility.
• ‘I love the bones of every one of them’ shows her tender nature that is often buried under her blanket of vitality.
• In the ‘My child’ song shows the facade of inequality between Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Lyons indicating the major class divide that separates them. ‘If my child was raised in a palace like this one’ shows her increased jealousy yet her need to put her child’s needs first. Yet she has become openly vulnerable allowing it to be used against her.
• When she goes to sing the song ‘Living on the never, never’ shows her life is based around constantly living on the whim and how she is stuck in a fantasy
• 'Or the price I’ll pay’ shows her instant regret yet her lack of control emphasises the power imbalance resulting because of the disadvantages of working-class women.
• ‘I’ll tell someone… I’ll tell the police’ She realises the futility of her actions as she trails off as Russell uses her to show lack of help working class women got
• ‘You won’t tell anyone about this Mrs Johnstone because if you do both shall immediately die.’ Mrs Lyons is able to use Mrs Johnstone vulnerabilities against her resulting in her manipulation.
• When a police officer comes to speak to Mrs Johnstone about Mickey, it causes her to become subdued with realisation. ‘Was about to commit a serious crime’ juxtaposes how the policeman treated Mr Lyons ‘it was only a little prank’ emphasizes the major injustice that consumes society
• ‘Shakes her head’ shows Mrs Johnstone has been rendered voiceless and realises her lack of power
• ‘We are starting all over again’ shows her reckless nature forces her to run away from responsibilities and allows her to not acknowledge the consequences of her actions. It also shows her lack of realisation impacts her life and has a repercussion on her family.
• ‘I don’t want your money. I made a life out here’ shows she still has self-respect and dignity. She values familiar connection over valuable commodities. It shows however condescendingly insensitive the working class are treated they never seek assistance from others. Mrs Johnstone shows her gratitude for her life despite her lack of opportunity juxtaposing Mrs Lyons’ constant dissatisfaction despite having everything, showing the irony of class divide
• Russell uses Mrs Johnstone as a vessel to show the vicious cycle of poverty that entraps them causing constant patronisation showing the futility to subvert societal expectations
• Mrs Johnstone slowly walks down the centre aisle towards the platform’ Her hesitance stems from her past superstitions. It also shows she has constantly been a physical barrier between Edward and Mickey, separating them in difference of opinions and class
• He’s your brother’ the whole speech she says indicates how she has wished to say this her whole life but has become trapped by the power of society. Russell critiques how society forces women into impossible decisions and how they bear the brunt of blame
• Mrs Johnstone is characterised by her reckless behaviour that causes unintentional destruction, yet she doesn’t learn from her mistakes. ‘Tell me it’s not true’.