The Guide to Blood

Brothers.

1
Contents Page
Context (background) information 3-6
Society and family/ what is a Blood Brother? 7
The prologue 8
Act 1 questions 9-10
Act 2 questions 11
Mrs Lyons and Mrs Johnstone comparison 12
Mickey and Eddie comparison 13
Superstitions 14-15
Themes 16
Elements of analysing a play 17-18
Guide to analysis 19-20
Analysing language in a play 21
Analysing structure in a play 22
Effective reading/ note-making strategies 23-35
Using quotes in an essay 26
Intro/ body/ conclusion 27
Using quotes to support your points 28
Writing about a play 29-30
Useful essay words 31
Connectives 32
8 Steps to Writing an Essay 33
Mark scheme 34
Sample essay 35-36

2
The play was written in 1981, first performed in 1982 and is set between the 50s and
the 70s.

Find out what else was going on at these different times in the UK and elsewhere.
These events may have inspired Russell.

3
Liverpool in the 20th century

By 1901 the population of Liverpool had

reached 685,000. In 1904 the boundaries of
the city were extended again to include
Fazakerly.

The Tower Building was built in 1908. In the 1910s three of Liverpool's most famous
buildings were erected on the site of St George's dock, which had been filled in. The
Liver Building was built in 1911. The Cunard Building was built in 1916. The Port of
Liverpool building was also built at that time. The Lady Lever art gallery opened in
1922.

More than 13,000 Liverpudlians died in World War I. In 1921 a memorial was erected
outside the Cunard building to all the Cunard employees who died in the war.

In 1928 a survey showed 14% of the city's population were living in poverty. This
was, of course, much worse than what we would call poverty today. In those days
poor people were living at bare survival level.

In 1934 the Queensway road tunnel was built. The Kingsway Road Tunnel followed in
1971.

In the early 20th century the city suffered a shortage of houses. Overcrowding was
common, as was slum housing. The council built some council houses but nothing
like enough to solve the problem. Furthermore Liverpool suffered severely in the
depression of the 1930s and up to a third of men of working age were unemployed.

During World War II Liverpool was a target as it was, obviously, an important port.
Some 3,875 people died in Merseyside and more than 10,000 houses were
destroyed. Many more people were seriously injured and many more houses were
damaged.

After World War II the council was faced with the task of replacing bombed houses.
It also had to replace many slum houses. Like other cities Liverpool 'redeveloped'
central areas of the city in the 1950s and 1960s and many new council houses and
flats were built. Overspill towns were built near the city at Kirkby and Skelmersdale
Unfortunately demolishing terraced houses and replacing them with high rise flats
broke up communities.

In 1974 the boundaries of the city were changed so it became part of an

administrative area called Merseyside.

The Roman Catholic Cathedral was consecrated in 1967. The Anglican Cathedral was
not completed until 1978.

4
In the later 20th century industries in Liverpool included engineering, cement
manufacture, sugar refining and flour milling. For a time, in the 1950s and 1960s the
local economy boomed but it turned sour in the late 1970s and 1980s as Liverpool,
like the rest of the country suffered from recession. Liverpool became an
unemployment black spot. One consequence of Liverpool's social problems were the
Toxteth riots of 1981.

In the last years of the 20th century there were some hopeful signs. Liverpool
remains a very important port. Because of its position in the Northwest it is the main
port for trading with North America. In the 1980s Albert Dock was redeveloped and
turned into an area of bars, shops and restaurants.

Liverpool is now trying to promote tourism using its heritage as an attraction.

Merseyside Maritime Museum opened in 1980. The Tate Gallery of Modern Art
opened in 1988.

The Museum of Liverpool Life opened in 1993. A Custom and Excise Museum opened
in 1994. A Conservation Centre opened in Queens Square in 1996. Also in 1996 the
Institute For Performing Arts opened.

Liverpool, because of its position on the River Mersey, was a prosperous seaport in
the 19th century. It is a city of many contrasts. In the 20th century, because of the
silting of the river, it was a place of financial depression, which led to unemployment
and strikes. There was a big gap between the rich and the poor.

Liverpudlians are known for their warmth, hospitality and wit.

Liverpool is also famous for its football teams and impact on culture – the Mersey
Beat (poetry), the Beatles (music) and playwrights, architects etc.
Mrs Johnstone’s wit and warmth typify these qualities.

Unemployment reached 25% in the 1980s.

At the time the play is set, factories were closing down. At the start of act 2, Sammy
is already on the dole, and the song ‘Take a Letter Miss Jones’ illustrates how this
rising unemployment adversely affects Mickey’s life and tempts him into crime.
Being out of work creates low self–esteem; particularly for traditional men who feel
they need to support their family.

Blood Brothers is set in Liverpool, between the 1950s and the 1970s.
At the time, people strongly disapproved of sex before marriage and this is why Mrs
Johnstone ‘has to’ marry quickly.
Divorce was uncommon and this is another reason the neighbours might disapprove
of her.

Although the 1945 Education act had made grammar schools free, working class
children had to pass the 11+ to gain entry to the grammar schools. The pass mark
was kept deliberately high. Few children were allowed the privilege of a grammar
school education, and even if they gained a place, there was no guarantee that they
would leave with qualifications, as the school leaving age was 15.

5
Pupils at grammar schools studied academic subjects and took O levels. Some went
on to take A levels, while others were under pressure from parents to leave school,
get a job and bring money into the household.
There were far fewer university places then, so most would go into employment
after school.
Children who failed the 11+ would go to a secondary modern school to be prepared
for life in the trades. Boys would study practical skills like bricklaying, alongside
academic work, and girls would learn how to cook. Many of these schools were
under-funded.

If pupils were not considered ‘bright’ they were not allowed to take CSEs. These
qualifications were not worth as much as O Levels, taken at grammar school. (GCSEs
are much more inclusive) So it was common for children to leave school without any
qualifications at all. It was more difficult for them to get on in life.

There is a clearly established link between poverty and under-achievement at school.

Edward is sent to a private, fee-paying boarding school and will take O levels, A
levels and go on to university.

Mickey leaves school and goes into employment; things go wrong when he is made
redundant, whereas Edward has a much more secure ‘white collar’ job. Manual
workers were called ‘blue collar’ workers; they were more affected by closure of
factories and the scarcity of work connected with the docks.

Council houses were the homes of most working class people in the 1950s and
1960s. The terraced houses had a lot to recommend them, but they were also
cramped and lacked inside toilets and bathrooms. They did not have central heating
and were heated mostly by coal fires. Their inner city locations were often dirty and
there was nowhere for children to play as they rarely had gardens.

To improve standards of living, the government moved people away from the
terraced houses into new council accommodation in the countryside. ‘New’ towns
were created like Skelmersdale, and existing places were developed, like Runcorn
and Winsford. Some high rise blocks were built also.

Mrs Johnstone’s family is certainly helped by their move, although not as much as
she had hoped.
In many ways, it is already too late for the older children, and the unemployment
situation was often worse away from the city.
Also, many missed the people and the amenities that they had known before, and
the support network that existed all but vanished. Uprooting people can cause stress
and depression.

One of the playwright’s aims is to show us that there are disadvantages to being
poor and working class.
The failure to succeed in life is not because of a lack of ability, but a lack of
opportunity. This can clearly be seen in Edward and Mickey.
We must ask ourselves whether this is still true in the 21st century.

6
What is a Blood Brother?
 Friend
 Companion
 Soul mate
 Family

What does this pact involve?

 Commitment  Loyalty
 Dedication  Unconditional love
 Devotion  Humour
 Promise  Kindness
 Affection  Sympathy
 Care  Consideration

Blood Brother Questions

1) If you make a pact as a blood brother, what does it mean? (Page 101)

2) In what ways are Mickey and Eddie being drawn together? (98-102)

3) In both the Johnstone and the Lyons’ households the fathers are absent.
Contrast the reasons for their absence. What do you think Willy Russell is
suggesting about society and families?

Mr Lyons Mr Johnstone
Reason for his
absence.

P.82
p.103

7
The Prologue
Act 1 scene 1.

A Prologue:
 Passes on information about plot, character or theme to the audience.
 Acts as a blurb would in a book.
 Acts as a commentary to the play, allowing the author to pass on relevant
information to the audience.
 Challenges the audience to think of particular issues.
Encourages audience to watch the play with certain expectations. Blood Brothers
Prologue:
 Discusses the birth, separation and death of the brothers.
 The fate of the brothers is decided before the story begins.
 We are left with the image of a distraught Mrs Johnstone.
ACTIVITY: How effective is the prologue?

(Use the PEE chain to structure your response)

8
Act One Questions
1. How does the narrator describe the Johnstone twins on page 1?

2. The narrator tells the story of the Johnstone twins in a form like the Prologue in
Romeo and Juliet. Why do you think he does this?

3. What is Mrs Johnstone's job? Who does she work for?

4. Why does Mrs Lyons find her house 'rather large' (p.4)?

5. Find a quote on page 5 to suggest that having babies is a regular, constant thing
for Mrs Johnstone.

6. How does Mrs Johnstone feel when the gynaecologist reveals that she is
expecting twins (p.6-7)?

7. What does Mrs Lyons suggest Mrs Johnstone should do with the twins (p.7)?

8. How does Mrs Lyons persuade Mrs Johnstone to come round to her way of
thinking? Look at Mrs Lyon's speeches on p.8-9.

9. What sort of agreement does Mrs Lyons make with Mrs Johnstone (p.11)?

10. Why does Mrs Lyons make Mrs Johnstone swear on the bible? Clue: Think about
the situations in which people are normally made to swear on the bible.

11. Why do you think Mrs Lyons is agitated over Mrs Johnstone's fussing of the baby
(p.15-16)?

12. What excuse does Mrs Lyons make to Mr Lyons about her not wanting Mrs
Johnstone to hold the baby?

9
13. What does Mrs Lyons want £50 from Mr Lyons for?

14. What does Mrs Lyons say will happen if the twins ever learn of the truth (p.18)?

15. At page 18 in the play, who do you have the most sympathy for? Mrs Lyons or
Mrs Johnstone? Explain your answer using quotes.

16. Where has Mickey been playing on page 20? Why isn't he allowed there?

17. How does Mickey refer to his mother on page 23? How does Edward refer to his
mother on page 23? Extension: what does this suggest about the twins
upbringing?

18. Why does Mickey call Edward 'soft' on page 23?

19. What does Sammy call Edward on page 27?

20. Why does Mrs Johnstone tell Mickey to get into the house when she meets
Edward (p.28)?

21. Why do you think Mrs Lyons wants to move away (p.40)?

22. What present does Mrs Johnstone give to Edward before he moves away
(p.46)?

23. List some of the benefits that Mrs Johnstone believes will happen when they
move away (p.49-52).

10
Act Two Questions

1) List up to three things that happen to both Mickey and Eddie when they are
fourteen.

2) Why will the audience find it funny that Edward tells his teacher “You can
take a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut! But you shall not take my
locket!”?p.59

EXTENSION TASK A) Why will the audience find it touching that Edward tells
his teacher “You can take a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut! But you shall not
take my locket!”?p.59

3) Why can’t Mickey ask Linda out in their early teens? Use a quote to support
your answer?

4) Why can’t Edward get a girlfriend in his early teens?

5) Whose “Ma” is said to be “off her beam”?

6) Whose “Ma” is said to be “a fuckin’ head case.”

7) How do Linda and Mickey finally get together?

EXTENSION TASK B) What would be the audience reaction to Linda and Mickey
finally getting together and Edward’s role in that event? Refer to the song “I’m
Not Saying a Word” in your answer.

8) Do you agree with Mrs Johnstone’s statement to Mickey that he’s “…not had
much of a life with me…” Give reasons for your answer.

9) How do you think Linda managed to “…our own place…” and a job for
Mickey?

10) Create a table showing the advantages and disadvantages to Mickey and
Linda of the method by which she secured their home and job.

11) What motivates Mickey to finally stop taking his pills?

12) What kind of finale is the ending of the play? (e.g.

sad/surprising/engaging/upsetting/exciting) Give several reasons for your
answer, referring to the audience reaction specifically.

EXTENSION TASK C) Did Linda behave in the right or wrong way at different
moments in the play? Give reasons for your answer.

11
 Mrs Lyons Mrs Johnstone Evidence/ Quotations
Type of Housing

Job or income

Accent or way of
speaking

Style of Dress

Type of social Life

Education

Ambitions

12
Complete this grid, comparing the twins as they grow up. You must focus on:
Their homes/ Education and jobs/ Mothers, fathers and relationships/ The way they speak

Age Mickey Eddie

Birth:

Death:

13
SUPERSTITIONS

1. a: belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false
conception of causation

b: an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from
superstition

2. A notion maintained despite evidence to the contrary

Superstitions about Death

BIRD A bird in the house is a sign of a death.

CANDLE Light candles on the night after November 1. One for each deceased relative
should be placed in the window in the room where death occurred.
CEMETERY You must hold your breath while going past a cemetery or you will breathe in the
spirit of someone who has recently died.
CLOCK If a clock which has not been working suddenly chimes, there will be a death in
the family.
CORPSE If a woman is buried in black, she will return to haunt the family.
EYE If the left eye twitches there will soon be a death in the family.
MIRROR If a mirror in the house falls and breaks by itself, someone in the house will die
soon.
MOTH A white moth inside the house or trying to enter the house means death.
PHOTOGRAPH If 3 people are photographed together, the one in the middle will die first.
THIRTEEN If 13 people sit down at a table to eat, one of them will die before the year is
over.
UMBRELLA Dropping an umbrella on the floor means that there will be a murder in the
house.

Superstitions about Weddings

Wedding Day Superstitions and Traditions

BRIDAL SHOWER The first gift the bride opens should be the first gift she uses.
WEDDING DAY Certain days of the week, and certain months of the year are better than others
for a wedding.
Monday for health,
Tuesday for wealth,
Wednesday best of all,
Thursday for losses,
Friday for crosses,
Saturday for no luck at all

14
 Married when the year is new, he'll be loving, kind & true,
When February birds do mate, You wed nor dread your fate.
If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you'll know.
Marry in April when you can, Joy for Maiden & for Man.
Marry in the month of May, and you'll surely rue the day.
Marry when June roses grow, over land and sea you'll go.
Those who in July do wed, must labour for their daily bred.
Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see
Marry in September's shrine, your living will be rich and fine.
If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry.
If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember.
When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last.
FOR A LUCKY BRIDE Something old,
Something new,
Something borrowed,
Something blue,
And a lucky sixpence
In her shoe.
Married in White, you have chosen right
Married in Grey, you will go far away,
Married in Black, you will wish yourself back,
Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead,
Married in Green, ashamed to be seen,
Married in Blue, you will always be true,
Married in Pearl, you will live in a whirl,
Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow,
Married in Brown, you will live in the town,
Married in Pink, you spirit will sink.
WEDDING CAKE If a single woman sleeps with a piece of wedding cake under her pillow, she will
dream of her future husband.

15
16
THEMES

Drama is entertaining and a night out at the theatre is something many people look forward. Today, not realising what an
interesting experience they are missing, of course, most people's experience of plays is not that of live acting at a theatre but
the recorded and edited action of TV.

Plays are a unique and very special form of literature because they are based on a combination of language and action and are
the vision of two important people: the playwright and the play's director this vision is coupled with the enormous hard work of
a company of actors and back stage personnel. Plays are designed both to entertain by capturing the imagination and to
persuade by capturing the mind.

Playwrights are often very political creatures who are particularly sensitive to what they perceive to be the wrongs of society.
Their plays are often a vehicle not just for entertainment but for the expression of the playwright's ideas and concerns. These
are called the play's themes. A modern televised play can stir the imaginations and consciences of millions of people and change
minds in a way little else can. It is because of this that drama has always had the potential to be a radical form of literature
indeed, in Shakespeare's day, many plays were banned or had to be performed secretly or outside of the city's legal limits to
avoid censorship or worse: more than one playwright was imprisoned and worse for their work.

Whatever your essay question, you cannot tackle it well unless you understand the themes of your play and often, to

understand the themes of a play fully, you need to have some idea of the playwright's context, i.e. the time, place and

situation in which he or she lived and wrote: the aspects of their time and society that motivated and inspired them to write
about what they have, in the way they have. Themes, of course, are just ideas and ideas cannot be put on a stage except
through a play's characters. So, the study of a play always involves the study of who its characters are, what they do, how they
do it, who they do it to, as well as what they say, how they say it and who to... that is, the action and language of the play!

CHARACTERS AND ACTION

A vital aspect of a play is its characters, what they do and what the audience come to think about them (are they sympathetic or
antagonistic, for example?). Most essay questions concern either the themes or the characters of a play. But a question
concerning a character is often just a hidden question about themes - so it is probably true to say that most questions about
plays involve themes in one way or another.

Who a character is, what they say, how they say it, what other characters say about them, how other characters act around
them and so forth all help to build up a character in the audience's mind.

Do you like a particular character?

Why? Do you empathise with him or her or even sympathise with their plight? If so, think about what it is that makes you feel
this way perhaps some aspect of the way they are being treated by their society? This is a theme of the play. Your sympathy and

17
engagement with this character is persuading you to accepting the playwright's ideas or themes. And just because their society
is, for example, Italy in the olden days, does not mean that the ideas are old hat. Society may have evolved technologically, but
not always in other ways. Shakespeare's views on human relationships and Arthur Miller's views on society are, in many ways,
still very valid today.

Do you dislike a particular character?

Again, why? What are they doing to be disliked? How are they being presented? Are they created as a stereotype - a kind of
stock character? What ideas occur to you when you watch them? Again, these ideas are linked to the themes of the play.

STAGECRAFT

The effects and purposes behind the playwright's use of stagecraft are as important in your analysis and essay as the choices
and uses of language. Always consider how what is said in a play fits in with the following aspects of stagecraft:

SETTING
Where and when the action occurs

COSTUME
How a character is dressed

ACTION
What a character does

UNFOLDING ACTION or STRUCTURE

The division of action into scenes and acts

The passing of time/ the introduction of a conflict / the build up to a climax of action/ the resolution of problems/ the use of

disguise/ the use of coincidence/ the use of dance, music and song

DRAMATIC IRONY
This is the commonest and often most important dramatic device used by a playwright to engage and involve the audience in
their play. Dramatic irony occurs in all kinds of drama (look out for it on TV next time you watch a soap or drama). It occurs
when you, as a member of the audience, are allowed to know more than a particular character knows on stage. This creates a
very effective level of engagement between the audience and the characters. Members of the audience become involved in the
action because they feel they ought to 'step in' and help the character - but obviously they cannot. This creates tension and
involvement - and even sympathy.

 Do you remember the use of dramatic irony in childhood pantomimes when you actually could shout out to a character
in a play, 'Watch out - he's behind you!' ?

18
 Plot Genre
The genre of a story/ extract is, like plot, something
The plot of the story is simply the things that happen in the minor to be included in your introduction very
novel. This will be the basic events of the text. briefly- USUALLY! The exceptions could be, for
There can also be a sub-plot which is a less important part of example, a tragedy. Here, you would be expected to
the story. Nearly always, however, the sub-plot has some consider genre more- perhaps evaluating how far it
connections with the main plot and helps the text to reach meets the usual conventions of that genre.
its conclusion. Horror/ Crime/ Romance/ Comedy/ Biography etc.
This is the least important to look at in your assignment as it
is just description- we’re looking for analysis so just describe
the plot in two sentences as part of your introduction.

Always
Theme consider
What are the themes/ issues of the text? author
What does the author want their reader to contemplate/ intentions and
consider/ examine? impact on the
Themes are the moral/ message behind a piece of writing. reader
Subjects of writing are:
war/ courage/ love/ evil/ deception
Themes of writing are:
innocence can lead to deception/ evil is within all of us

Structure
This is how the text is put together- it can include sentence structure as
well as the order of events. Both of these have a huge impact on the way
a story is received by the reader so will have been yet another conscious
decision made by our author that you should seek to analyse.
Look out for flashbacks/ tense changes in particular.
Are they creating tension/ suspense with the structure?
How does the sentence structure reflect our characters’ narrator’s minds? 19
 Narrative Strategy
Setting A lot of how a story is received comes from HOW it is
Settings are crucial to a story and are often used to reflect the inner told and by whom.
turmoil or emotions of our characters.
Person: 1st person: I, me, my, mine
Think about time and place- time of day/ year/ life/ where? who?
Tells the story through their eyes and is more
They may change throughout your text- examine them alongside
language to use to consider how the author has portrayed these personal/ intimate
settings. Consider what relevance they have to the events taking place. Can be an obstacle to getting an overall view as
they’re too close to events
Person: 3rd person: he, she, they
Usually an omniscient perspective
Split narrative: varies the perspective more and is
Characters still omniscient
What characters do we meet in the text? Both of these create a kind of dramatic irony- where
What are the relationships between the characters?
the audience (reader) know more than the characters
What do we find out about them?
Tense: Think about the effect of the tense your text is
How might this be relevant to the rest of the story/
extract? written in: past/ present/ future
How has the author introduced/ developed the
characters? Use language to help your analysis of this.

PEE
Make a point
Context Wells uses language effectively to set the scene at the beginning of The Cone.
This should be integrated throughout your analysis
and needs to be relevant. You may like to consider the Give evidence or an example
author’s background, their other work, other writing The use of the words ‘red, rimmed’, ‘burnt, bright’ and ‘stood, stiff’ all contribute to the
at the time, theoretical approaches, events at the time visual impression of the story for the reader.
of writing and critical appreciation and views. This is
ESSENTIAL to any good analysis and is the part that will
Give a further explanation
require the most additional research. Although on the surface it is a pleasant scene, there is in an indication that the sinister lies
behind the Summer’s day. Wells wants to create suspense for the reader in this thriller. 20
Analysing Language

Alliteration Where consonants are repeated. It’s often used in poetry to give a nice
pattern to a phrase.
E.g. Sally’s slipper slipped on a slimy slug.
Assonance When words share the same vowel sound, but the consonants are
different.
E.g. Lisa had a piece of cheese before she went to sleep, to help her
dream.
Contrast When two things are described in a way which emphasises how different
they are.
E.g. Two garbagemen in red plastic blazers/ The man in a hip three-
piece linen suit
Empathy When someone feels like they understand what someone else is
experiencing and how they feel about it.
E.g. As the day wore on at work, I felt a cramp beginning to form at the
nape of my neck, my eyes began to feel droopy, and the computer
screen in front of me began blurring.
Imagery Language that creates a picture in your mind, bringing the text to life.
E.g. Though I was on the sheer face of a mountain, the feeling of
swinging through the air was euphoric, almost like flying without wings.

Metaphor A way of describing something that it is something else, to create a vivid

image.
E.g. His eyes were deep, black, oily pools.
Personification A special kind of metaphor where you write about something as if it’s a
person with thoughts and feelings.
E.g. The sea growled hungrily.
Repetition Where a word/ phrase is repeated to emphasise a point or idea.
E.g. We want freedom by any means necessary. We want justice by any
means necessary. We want equality by any means necessary.
Simile A way of describing something by comparing it to something else, usually
by using the words like/ as.
E.g. He was as pale as the moon/ Her hair was like a bird’s nest
Stereotype An inaccurate, generalised view of a particular group of people.
E.g. a stereotype of football fans might be that they’re all hooligans
Symbolism When an object stands for something else.
E.g. a candle might be a symbol of hope/ a dying flower might be the
end of a relationship

21
Analysing Structure

22
Effective Reading/ Note-making Strategies

23
24
25
Using Quotes in Essays
Incorporate shorter quotes into your sentences. Longer quotes need to be set apart as the examples below
indicate:

Today, I am really looking forward to the weekend, ‘I’m so excited and I just can’t hide
it!’ I have some old school friends coming to stay.

Nursing homes are in a dire condition according to David Cameron:

‘Our elderly should be a priority but they are not. Everyone is entitled to a
certain quality of care; they deserve it more than anyone.’

This essay will consider how this can be achieved.

PEE can be used to structure paragraphs

You should make a point
You should then find appropriate evidence or an example
You should then add further explanation
Make a point
Here are some examples: Steinbeck uses contrasts of light and dark to
set the tone throughout the book.
Make a point Give evidence or an example
Shakespeare uses language to emphasise At the start of each section when Steinbeck
the theme of honesty in the play. describes setting; these contrasts are most
Give evidence or an example relevant. In section 3 Steinbeck uses dark
The word ‘honesty’ is used frequently in Act and light to create a suitable scene which
3 Scene 1 in order to create dramatic irony foreshadows the action to come: ‘Although
for the audience as the antagonist is there was evening brightness showing
consistently referred to as ‘honest Iago’. through the windows of the bunk house,
Give a further explanation inside it was dusk.’ (p. 43)
Julian Abernethy viewed Shakespeare’s use Give a further explanation
PEE
of the word an irritant yet the word does The encroaching darkness, just as in a
seem crucial in highlighting Iago’s evil horror movie, creates great tension of the
actions and Othello’s lack of knowledge. An reader as they anticipate future events. In
audience at the time, looking for section 3 it is this atmosphere Steinbeck
entertainment, would have delighted in the creates that foreshadows the incidents that
irony of its usage in the closing scenes of ultimately result in the breakdown of
the play as they awaited the conclusion. relationships and the shattering of dreams
indicating it is the climax of the book.
Quoting
Round brackets: separates additional information.

Square brackets: can be used in quotes to add in your own words; making sense of a quote:
‘He [Othello] is all consumed by jealousy which proves fatal.’ (Tyreman, 2011)

Ellipsis (omission marks): can be used to indicate you have omitted something from a quote
‘Othello has an all-consuming jealousy... that is the ultimate cause of his downfall.’

26
27
Using Quotations to Support Your Opinions:

Listed below are statements about the play of Blood Brothers. Your task is to read the statements, then find the quotation from the play and
write it in the evidence box-

Statement Evidence
Mrs Johnstone is a superstitious woman.

Mrs Lyons is a cold and manipulative

character.

Mickey completely idolises Edward.

Mr Lyons is a hard-hearted employer.

Lynda is a warm and loyal character.

Edward is a compassionate and generous

character.

The prologue acts to inform the audience

of events to follow.

Mrs Johnstone’s role is to explain events

and inform the audience.

Sammy Johnstone is a truly evil character

28
Writing about a play

Plays (and musicals) are for the stage and not the page! Remember this! It has been written to entertain a live audience NOT a
reader.

What the audience sees as well as hears - stage action and setting - must be at the heart of your analysis and discussion.

STAY FOCUSED ON THE PLAY'S DRAMATIC ASPECTS

Be sure to consider the methods used, the effects created and the purposes intended of
the following dramatic aspects:

Stage directions

Stage entrances and exits (i.e. timing)

Positioning, action and interaction of characters

Uses of props and costumes

The key device of dramatic irony

Structure: the effects of sequences of action, a key plot device

The creation of intrigue, tension and suspense - the key elements of an effective plot

Uses of asides and soliloquies.

Another pitfall to avoid...

Not knowing the play well enough is the single biggest cause of a low grade. Fortunately, it's easily resolved... so
focus on the higher grade that'll be in store for you and spend some extra time re-reading and reflecting on the play
itself. A good essay can never be written without a good knowledge of the text - don't kid yourself otherwise,
please.

29
What is it that gains most marks?

Interpretation

When you interpret the action and dialogue of a play, you are finding, explaining and discussing the methods,
effects and purposes of the layers of meaning that exist beyond the surface meaning.

Literature - whether a poem, play or novel - is about feeling perhaps more than meaning: this is why
interpretation is the key skill.

To uncover these different layers of meaning, you will need to consider the what, how and why of such things
as the mood being created, the way a character is being portrayed through dialogue and action, etc., how the
stage setting (i.e. the time, place and context) adds to the play in subtle but important ways, and how the
events (plot), stage action and dialogue all work to help develop and explore the play's themes. All of these are
covered in detail later.
It's important to realise that interpretation is not about facts. An interpretation is, by its very nature, an opinion
- a point of view. This is why examiners are not keen to read the opinions of others - those of your teacher or
those taken from a study guides, for example; examiners like to read about individual ideas - your ideas. These
are always rewarded more highly. Alternative interpretations should be considered in a single essay therefore
discussing ideas with your peers can help you develop a higher level response to the play.

Consider interpretations of a modern day audience as well as an audience back when it was first performed.

BIRLING: Well, it's my duty to keep labour costs down, and if I'd agreed to this demand for a new rate we'd have added
about twelve per cent to our labour costs. Does that satisfy you? So I refused. Said I couldn't consider it. We were paying
the usual rates and if they didn't like those rates, they could go and work somewhere else. It's a free country, I told them.

Priestley gives Birling the kind of language that he hopes would set him out in the audience's mind as a
profiteering capitalist, words such as 'duty', 'labour costs' and 'usual rates'. His manner on stage and his dress
would add to the air of arrogance that Priestley wants to convey. At this stage of the play, the audience will be
well aware of the kind of 'duties' that Birling obviously doesn't recognise as important: his duty to pay his
workers a fair and living wage.

The workers, in Birling's terms, don't ask for more, they make 'demands'; and again, Priestley's choice of
language helps underpin the 'them and us' attitude factory owners such as Birling have towards their workers.
There is no sense of compassion or community here, features that Priestley saw as vital to a healthy society.

Birling's use of the term 'free country' is clearly ironic: he himself might enjoy a good deal of freedom but his
workers know very little thanks in large part to the near enslavement of the low wages he pays and the lack of
alternatives available to them, despite his claim to the contrary that 'they could go and work somewhere else.'
The way Priestley ends Birling's speech so emphatically with 'I told them' itself adds to the irony - having to be
told you're free suggests very much that the opposite is the reality.

Finally, in these few lines, Birling uses the first-person pronouns 'I' and 'my' no less than five times thus
emphasising his self-centred nature.
30
Useful Essay Words
Evidence suggests... Drawing on... The insight that...

Seeks to demonstrate... There is an implicit The question of...

assumption...

...has pointed to.. Studies strongly suggest... Previous research suggests...

As can be seen... Adding weight to the Previous studies have tended

argument... to focus...

The findings There is growing emphasis... Different interpretations... to

suggest/indicate... some... to others...

According to the approach... While it may be the case... it It has long been recognised...
is also possible...

Some commentators have It is well documented... Results show...

emphasised... In this context.
Existing research generally It is widely believed... In marked contrast to...
leads to...

Include Aim for

bits of both lots of this!
Descriptive writing Critical analytical writing
States what happened Identifies the significance
States what something is like Evaluates the strengths and weaknesses
Gives the story so far Weighs one piece of information against
another
States the order of things Makes reasoned and justified judgements
Says how to do something Argues a case according to evidence
Explains what a theory says Shows why something is relevant
Explains how something works Discusses the best way to do something
Notes the methods used Evaluates whether something is appropriate
Say when something occurred Identifies why the timing is importance
States different components Weighs up the component parts
States opinions Gives reasons for selecting each option
Lists details Evaluates connections between information
Lists in any order Structure information in order of importance
States the links between items Determines the relevance of links
Gives information Draws conclusions

31
32
33
34
Sample Essay
Task: How does this extract show similarities and differences between Edward and Mickey and hint
that the past is not buried? (pp. 50- 54 (exit of narrator)

This extract shows parallel scenes of both Edward and Mickey at school and comes from Act 2.
Russell cleverly cuts between them so that the audience can see how the boys’ lives seem to
be running parallel, as both get into trouble at school. There is also strong dramatic irony
present as Mrs Lyons questions her son about his locket. The scene also moves the plot along,
as it is because of both boys being suspended that they meet up again. Themes of education,
class differences, love and the past all feature, and Russell also uses humour to keep us
entertained.

Edward’s school scene shows how well he is doing: ‘talk of Oxbridge’, however the teacher
shows him no respect and taunts him for wearing a locket. Edward is threatened with a
flogging, which reminds us of the harsh regime in schools then. He values the locket so much
that he commits a very funny act of impertinence to distract the teacher. He says: ‘You can
take a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut’. This outrageous rudeness causes a laugh in the
theatre because it is impossible and incongruous. The f alliteration and the assonance of the o
sound heighten the humour by drawing attention to the words.

The contrast with Mickey’s school is stark. Here we see a teacher trying to control a bored and
inattentive class. The teacher does not want to hear the answer, as he calls Perkins, who
knows the answer a ‘boring little turd’. Mickey wasn’t listening and cannot see how the topic
on the Boro Indians’ diet, will help him get a job. He has a point, especially as unemployment
was rising at the time, but the teacher suspends both Mickey and Linda, who supports him.
Mickey’s education is not going to get him to ‘Oxbridge’ like Edward’s. He is at a less
prestigious secondary modern school. Russell is making the point that class differences are
unfair and although the twins are identical, Edward is having all the opportunities and Mickey
none.

However, Mickey does have the chance of a girlfriend, although he is more embarrassed than
grateful as Linda loses no opportunity of telling him, in assembly, in class and in front of his
friends. Edward, however, does not have an opportunity to meet girls, so potentially Mickey is

35
happier in his personal life. The scene with Mrs Lyons links to both themes as Mrs Lyons is
convinced that Edward’s locket holds a picture of a ‘girlfriend’. The dramatic irony is strong
here as she mistakes the child Mickey with her ‘son’: When were you photographed with that
woman?’. We can see that she too is haunted by the past and that Edward is unaware of her
secret. Edward also shows that she is unstable: ‘you’re not ill again, like you used to be…’. It is
ironic that he says he never looked a bit like Mickey, as we know they started out as twins and
Mrs Lyons can see the resemblance, yet Edward does not pick up on it. The locket also acts as
a visible reminder of the past and a link with the previous act. Just as before when Edward
risked worse trouble rather than give up the locket, it shows how important Mickey is to him.

The narrator helps to bring out these points clearly for the audience. He enters when Mrs
Lyons is alone on stage and the tune and words take us back to ‘Shoes on the Table’, which
brings in the themes of superstition and guilt. The narrator’s use of rhyme, metaphor and
rhetorical question serve to separate his points from the episodic scenes, and draw them
together for the audience. The recurrent motifs of the broken mirror, the knocking on the door
and the devil pursuing the guilty all combine to show how haunted Mrs Lyons feels.

Russell effectively shows in this extract that Edward has a more privileged schooling and more
prospects in life, but he is denied the chance to meet girls easily and his relationship with his
mother is awkward as she is far too protective. The past is still making its presence felt and the
scenes about the boys are carefully matched so that they seem to be doing similar things at
similar times. Both rebel against school and Edward is learning to keep secrets from his mother
to protect her. Dramatic irony is used to show that the past will keep on coming to the surface
and once again the narrator, through a familiar song, reminds us of key themes.

Read the essay. Use the margin to make notes on what you think the
candidate is showing knowledge of. Decide what grade you think this should
be awarded. A useful rule of thumb is
D- just telling the story
C- making points which show understanding and selecting quotations to back
them up
B- C skills plus ability to explore, or have several ideas about the same point
A – some discussion of HOW as well as WHAT – i.e. looking at style etc
A* - all of the above but with a WOW factor which makes the reader realise
the playwright’s skill.
How could this essay be improved?
Then try writing a plan to reduce this essay into.

36