Mrs. Johnstone gives birth to twin boys, Michael and Edward. She agrees to give one of the twins to her employer, Mrs. Lyons, who cannot have children of her own, so that she can continue seeing the child at work. However, Mrs. Johnstone worries that she will not be able to afford to care for both children on her own. The play explores the character of Mrs. Johnstone, a poor mother who gives one of her sons to a wealthy family, and the consequences this has.

1. BLOOD BROTHERS
L.O: To analyse characterisation in Act one.

2. She comes home from the
hospital to find men taking away
ordered items she couldn't pay
for, and sings of how everything
slips away from her, even one of
her babies (Easy Terms).
Mrs Johnstone gives
birth to two boys,
Michael and Edward.
Mrs Johnstone reluctantly agrees
as Mrs Lyons says she will be able
to see the child every day at work.
Mrs Lyons learns of this and as
she is unable to have children of
her own, persuades Mrs
Johnstone to give her one of the
twins (My Child).
Mrs Johnstone learns that she
is in fact expecting twins; she is
extremely worried that the
welfare will take some of her
children away as she cannot
afford to look after them all.
Mrs Lyons' husband
is away on business
for nine months.
Mrs Johnstone
gets a job cleaning
the house of a rich
woman, Mrs
Lyons.

3. Marilyn Monroe
 Paired discussions based on your homework.
 What is the significance of her as a symbol?
 Why is she linked to the Johnstone family and
in particular Mrs Johnstone?

4. Mrs Johnstone
 What are your first impressions of the
character?
 What do we learn about her background and
personality in the first section of the play?
 What is the purpose of the narrator’s
description of her?
Use quotations to back up all of your points.

5. Comparisons
 Complete the table examining the differences
between the two characters.