Student Exemplar: Blood Brothers Analysis

Summary

In this video, the presenter discusses the theme of social class in Willy Russell's play *Blood Brothers*. The analysis delves into how Russell uses structure, setting, language, and character development to highlight the class divide between the working-class Johnston family and the middle-class Lyons family. Key points include the contrasting childhoods of Mickey and Edward, the significance of symbols like guns and the Peter Pan statue, and the portrayal of marital relationships. The video offers insights into the play’s critique of social injustice and class inequalities, while also examining how Russell portrays the working-class characters with empathy and understanding.

Takeaways

• 😀 Russell uses the theme of social class as a central element in *Blood Brothers*, contrasting the working-class Johnston family with the middle-class Lions family to highlight social disparities.
• 😀 The motif of guns in the play symbolizes the divide between Mickey and Edward’s childhoods, with Mickey being forced to grow up early due to unemployment, while Edward leads a more carefree life.
• 😀 The use of foreshadowing through the Peter Pan statue and the toy gun scene hints at the tragic destinies of Mickey and Edward, emphasizing the theme of social class through their contrasting experiences.
• 😀 Russell presents the working class as victims of societal attitudes, particularly through the depiction of police interactions with the Johnston family, where they are treated with condescension.
• 😀 The parallel treatment of Mickey and Edward by authority figures—one treated harshly and the other leniently—further emphasizes the disparity in how the working and middle classes are perceived.
• 😀 The different reactions to the Johnston family’s financial struggles and the Lions’ privileged lifestyle highlight the societal divide, with the Lions’ ignorance of working-class issues further underlined.
• 😀 Marital relationships in the play reflect the class divide, with informal and pragmatic views on marriage in the working class, contrasted with the more idealistic and detached approach of the middle class.
• 😀 Russell uses language techniques to create empathy for the working class, including colloquial language for Mrs. Johnston and received pronunciation for Mrs. Lions to emphasize class distinctions.
• 😀 The educational divide is presented through Mickey and Edward’s contrasting experiences, where Mickey is discouraged from aspiring to anything beyond factory work, while Edward is encouraged to attend university.
• 😀 The narrator’s shifting perspectives and portrayal of Mrs. Johnston as a symbol of societal prejudice emphasize Russell’s aim to critique social class divisions and their effects on individuals' fates.

Q & A

What is the main theme presented in *Blood Brothers* according to the script?

The main theme presented in *Blood Brothers* is social class, which plays a central role in shaping the characters' lives and the overall storyline. The play contrasts the lives of the working class (represented by the Johnstones) and the middle class (represented by the Lyons), using them to explore the social divide and its impact on the characters' fates.

How does Russell use foreshadowing in the play?

Russell uses foreshadowing early in the play with a scene where Mickey, Eddie, and Linda play with a toy gun, targeting a statue of Peter Pan. Peter Pan, the boy who never grows up, symbolizes the contrast between Mickey, who has to grow up too quickly due to his social circumstances, and Eddie, who remains carefree and protected in his privileged upbringing.

Why does the speaker mention the significance of the motif of guns in *Blood Brothers*?

The motif of guns in the play highlights the divide between the two social classes, with Mickey and Linda familiar with guns, symbolizing the harshness of their lives, while Eddie, from the middle class, is unfamiliar with them. The guns also create a sense of foreboding, as both Mickey and Eddie eventually meet their tragic ends through gun violence.

What role does the policeman's treatment of the characters play in the theme of social class?

The policeman's differing treatment of the Johnstones and the Lyons emphasizes the unequal treatment of the working class versus the middle class. The policeman's condescending attitude toward Mrs. Johnston, along with his casual dismissal of the Lyons' actions, highlights the societal prejudice against the working class, portraying them as disruptive and criminal, while the middle class is treated more leniently.

How is the setting used to emphasize social class differences in the play?

The contrasting settings of the Johnstones and Lyons' homes are used to highlight the social class divide. The Johnstones are forced to move to a council estate in a working-class suburb, while the Lyons choose to move to the countryside, showing the stark difference in their living conditions and attitudes toward housing. This difference also reflects their varying life opportunities and aspirations.

How does the speaker suggest improving the student's analysis of structure?

The speaker suggests that the student could improve their analysis of structure by focusing on the significance of parallel scenes in the play. The student should explore why certain scenes are placed next to each other and how they emphasize the contrasts between the social classes, rather than relying heavily on isolated word analysis of verbs and adjectives.

What does the speaker think about the paragraph discussing the motif of guns and other elements like the rhetorical question and song?

The speaker feels that the paragraph discussing the motif of guns is too broad and includes too many different ideas, such as the rhetorical question, song, and parallel scenes. The speaker suggests that the paragraph could be more focused by developing a clearer point and linking it to context and theme, rather than trying to cover too many aspects without sufficient development.

Why does the speaker criticize the student for a lack of a clear topic sentence in some paragraphs?

The speaker criticizes the lack of a clear topic sentence because it makes the paragraph seem unfocused. A strong topic sentence helps guide the reader by setting the purpose of the paragraph and ensuring that all subsequent points are connected and developed coherently.

What is the significance of Mrs. Johnson's portrayal in the play?

Mrs. Johnson is portrayed as a microcosm of the working class, with her informal language and struggles reflecting the hardships faced by working-class women. Her character evokes sympathy, showing the impact of social class on individual lives, while also making the audience reflect on the broader societal issues of class and inequality.

How does Russell use the contrast between the Johnstones and the Lyons to portray different attitudes towards marriage and family life?

Russell contrasts the marriages of Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Lyons to highlight the different societal expectations placed on women from different classes. Mrs. Johnson's informal, practical approach to marriage and family contrasts with Mrs. Lyons' more formal and idealized view, reflecting the different values and opportunities within the social classes.