1. Blood Brothers page 77-108
1. How does Edward feel about Mrs Johnstone (p.77) – how does this compare with
Mickey’s opinion of her?
2. Comment on Mrs Lyons’ dramatic behaviour towards Mrs Johnstone (p. 77-79). Why
is her comment “you’ve ruined me” ironic? Comment on the way Mrs Lyons tries to
throw money at the situation – what does this tell us about her status? (p. 78)
3. How does Russell build up dramatic tension during the knife episode? (p. 79)
4. How does Russell create comedy with Mickey and Edward’s reactions to watching a
porn film at the cinema (p. 79-80)?
5. Comment on Edward’s use of language in comparison to Mickey’s (p. 80).
6. Comment on the role of the Narrator on pages 82-83. What roles does he play?
7. By the age of 18, how are Mickey and Edward’s lives different (p.84, 86)
8. Comment on Edward’s speech starting “If I could stand inside his shoes I’d say…”(p.
84-85) – what does it tell us about his character and intentions?
9. Comment on Mickey’s news on Linda’s pregnancy – how does he feel? How does
Mrs Johnstone respond? (p. 87-88)
10. Comment on Mickey’s behaviour once he is made redundant (p. 90-92). E.g.
language, actions, contrasts with Edward.
11. Why has Mickey had to grow up quickly, unlike Edward, who, according to Mickey is
“still a kid”(p. 92-93)?
12. Comment on Sammy’s character – are the audience surprised he spends his “days
idlin’ round”? How does he manipulate Mickey? (p. 93-94)
13. How does the Narrator warn of danger? (p. 95)
14. Comment on Sammy’s response/actions/language during the robbing incident (p.
95-96)
15. How is the Narrator’s line “maybe if you counted ten and kept your fingers crossed,
it would all be just a game” ironic? (p.96)
16. What kind of role does Linda play when Mickey is arrested and then subsequently
comes out of prison (p. 96-98)? Comment also on how she has been affected by
Mickey’s behaviour.
17. Why are Linda’s responses so vague in response to Mrs Johnstone’s questions (p. 98-
99)?
18. Comment on Mickey’s lack of self- worth, depression and jealousy of Eddie. (p. 99-
100).
19. How does the narrator describe Linda? (p. 101) What might the audience’s response
be towards her?
20. How does the audience and Mickey learn about Linda and Eddie’s relationship? (p.
101-103)
21. How does Russell build up dramatic tension when Mickey discovers the affair? (p.
103)

2. 22. How does the audience respond to Mickey when he confronts Eddie? (p. 105)
23. How does Russell show the working/middle class divide in Mickey’s speech? (p. 105)
24. Why does Mickey show “uncontrollable rage” (p. 106) when he shouts “I could have
been him!”
25. Explain the narrator’s speech “do we blame superstition for what came to pass? Or
could it be what we, the English, have come to know as class?” (p. 107) – what point
do you think Willy Russell is trying to make about the class system?
26. Comment on the circular structure of the play (it ends where it begins) – why do you
think Russell chose to repeat the prologue? (p. 107)