Characters and adjectives/moments

Question 1

what are some adjectives to describe Mrs Johnstone?

Answer 1

Warm, caring, loving, maternal, Optimistic, hopeful, idealistic, superstitious, naïve, gullible, lively, Good sense of humour, good heart, resilient, lenient, Kind, generous, struggling, hopeful, worn out, poor, manipulated, guilty, vulnerable, down to earth, affectionate, relaxed, content

Question 2

what themes does Mrs J link to?

Answer 2

nature vs nurture, beliefs, poverty, gender, class, parenting

Question 3

what are some adjectives to describe Mrs Lyons?

Answer 3

wealthy, lonely, overprotective, cunning, opportunistic, jealous, deceitful, devious, bitter, paranoid, desperate, wealthy, manipulative

Question 4

what are some adjectives to describe Mickey?

Answer 4

friendly, honest, excitable, sincere, Jealous, outgoing, good-hearted, Close with his mother, loyal, loving, deprived, non-academic, desperate, mischievous, boisterous, fun-loving, proud, resentful, friendly, open, easily upset, awkward, embarrassed, hides his feelings, depressed

Question 5

what are some adjectives to describe Edward?

Answer 5

very friendly, eager, warm, fun-loving, successful, professional, carefree, middle class, generous, romantic, disloyal, well-educated, honest, secure, naive, sheltered, sincere, good-natured, innocent, trusting

Question 6

what are some adjectives to describe Mr Lyons?

Answer 6

traditional father, caring (concern for Mrs L), doesn’t take mrs L seriously, absent, wealthy businessman, oblivious, self-important, preoccupied, paternalistic

Question 7

what are some adjectives to describe Linda?

Answer 7

competent, rebellious, overprotective, proud, fearless, jealous, skilled, strong,
fun-loving, confident, kind

Question 8

what are some adjectives to describe the narrator?

Answer 8

All-knowing, slightly menacing, omniscient, ubiquitous, reminding, monitor of time, conscience, educator, tormentor, outsider, bringer of doom

Question 9

what are some adjectives to describe sammy?

Answer 9

“bad apple”, object of envy, juvenile delinquent, cruel, greedy

Question 10

Where in the play is it shown that Mrs Johnstone is superstitious

Answer 10

Early in the play, Mrs Lyons puts new shoes on the table and Mrs J gets freaked out

Question 11

What is an example of Mrs Johnstone struggling, and it getting worse throughout the play?

Answer 11

Early in Act 1 - to the milkman who is threatening to cut off deliveries “ I said, I said look, next week I’ll pay y’”

Early in the play, Mrs J confides in Mrs L after learning she will have twins

Later Act 1 - catalogue man “ I’m sorry love….. but, you are twelve weeks behind in your payments” finance man “ Y’ shouldn’t have signed for all this stuff”. Creditors remove things from the house.

Later Act 1 - Mickey to Mrs J “Mam, Mam…. Why was the door bolted? Did you think it was the rent man.”

Question 12

What is a quote that shows Mrs Johnstone’s Naivety?

Answer 12

“when y’ look in the catalogue an’ there;s 6 months to pay, it seems years away, an’ y’ need a few things so y’ sign.’

Question 13

Give an example of Mrs johnstone’s guilt

Answer 13

‘Mrs J, horrifies, sees the bundle of notes in her hand, and throws it across the room.’ “I didn’t”

“You’ve not had much of a life with me, have y’?”

Question 14

Give an example of Mrs Johnstone showing fear.

Answer 14

“What have I told you about playin up near there?”

“mickey. don’t shoot eddie. he’s your brother.

Question 15

Give an example of Mrs Johnstone’s protective nature

Answer 15

“Mickey…get in the house. Don’t you ever come round here again. Ever.”

Question 16

What quote shows Mrs Johnstone’s hopefulness?

Answer 16

“Ey we’ll be all right out here son, away from the muck an’ the dirt an’ the bloody trouble”

Act 1 early - when saying that life is hard now to the kids she goes on “.. next week I’ll be earning, we’ll have loads of things to eat”

Question 17

Can you give a quote that shows Mrs Johnstone’s good hearted/ fun nature

Answer 17

“go on before i throw a bucket of water over the pair of y’

Question 18

Can you give a quote that shows that Mrs Johnstone is Superstitious

Answer 18

Act 1 early - Mrs J exclaims “Jesus Christ, Mrs Lyons, what are y’ trying to do?” “The shoes…The shoes”

Question 19

Can you give a quote that shows that Mrs Johnstone is struggling to cope

Answer 19

Act 1 - early, just after finding out expecting twins “with one more baby we could have managed. But not with two.”
Act 1 early - mention of welfare threatening to take children “ the welfare have already been on to me. They say I’m incapable of controllin’ the kids I’ve already got” continues .. “But like they say at the welfare , Kids can’t live on love alone”

Question 20

Which quotes show Mrs Johnstone maternal nature?

Answer 20

Act 1 early just after finding out she is expecting twins “The welfare have already been on to me. They say I should put some of them into care. But I won’t. I love the bones of every one of them”

‘Cradles him, letting him cry.’ “See, look…there’s Mickey.”

Question 21

Give an example of where in the play Mrs Lyons is shown to be unsuperstitious

Answer 21

Early in the play, Mrs Lyons puts new shoes on the table and Mrs J gets freaked out

Act one later, just after Mickey and Edward first meet Mrs L “There’s no such thing as a bogey man, It’s a superstition. The sort of thing a silly mother might say to her children”.

Question 22

Give a quote that shows Mrs Lyons lack of supersition

Answer 22

Act 1 early - “Oh…you mean you’re superstitious”

Question 23

Give a quote that shows Mrs Lyons’ desperation to have children

Answer 23

“Give one to me. Give one of them to me.” “Quickly, quickly, tell me…when are you due?”

Question 24

Give a quote that shows that Mrs Lyons can be manipulative

Answer 24

Act 1 early - when trying to convince Mrs J to give her a child “ Already you’re being threatened by the welfare people.” ,,, “Look, at least if the child was with me you’d be able to see him every day, as you came to work” … “Please, Mrs Johnstone, please”

mrs L sees that Mrs J might be persuaded “He’d have all his own toys”

Act 1 later - using Mrs J religious fear or superstition against her “They..they say that if either twin learns that he once was a pair, they shall both immediately die.”

Question 25

Give a quote that shows Mrs Lyons paranoia (4)

Answer 25

Act one just after she has been given Edward “I don’t want her to hold the baby Richard. She’s…I don’t want the baby to catch anything.’

Act one after Mickey and Edward meet and Mrs L realises who Mickey is “You are my son, mine, and you won’t, you won’t, you won’t ever”

Act One when Mrs L fears she cannot keep Edward away from Mickey “Because if we stay here I feel that something terrible will happen, something bad.”

“Don’t lie! I know what you’re doing to me! You gave him that locket, didn’t you? Mm?”

Question 26

Give a quote that displays Mrs Lyons protectiveness towards Edward (3)

Answer 26

“Oh no, you’re not. Edward is my son. Mine.”

“I’ve told you never to go where that boy- where boys like that live.”

“Yes, we’re safe here, aren’t we?”

Question 27

Give a quote that shows Mrs Lyons deviousness

Answer 27

“You gave your baby away. Don’t you realise what a crime that is?”

Question 28

Give a quote that shows Mrs Lyons in bitter

Answer 28

“Afraid he might eventually have forgotten you? Oh no. There’s no chance of that. He’ll always remember you.”

Question 29

Give a quote that shows Mickey is playful

Answer 29

“Mam, Mam, you’re dead”

Question 30

Give a quote that shows Mickey’s pride

Answer 30

“Yeh, I know loads of words like that. Y’know like the ‘F’ word”

Question 31

What is a quote that is an example of Mickey’s michieviousness

Answer 31

“Yeh…like, y’know, when they ask what y’ name is, we say things like, like ‘Adolf Hitler’”

Question 32

Can you give a quote that shows that Mickey can be petulant

Answer 32

“we’re not playin with the gun no more”

Question 33

Can you give some example quotes where Mickey is shown to be awkward

Answer 33

“well, I don’t wanna see her. What do I wanna see her for?”

“Linda, I wanna kiss y’”

“Linda, I’ve erm. Linda for Christ’s sake will you go out with me?”

Question 34

Can you give a quote that shows that Mickey is rebellious

Answer 34

“fish fingers!”

Question 35

What is a quote that exemplifies Mickey’s jealous nature (2)

Answer 35

“All right, all right! You’ve told me once!”

“well how come you got everything an’ i got nothin? does my child belong to you as well as everythin else? does she, eddie, does she?”

Question 36

What quote shows that Mickey is bitter (4)

Answer 36

“You! You’re a dick head!”

“While no one was looking I grew up. An’ you didnt’”

“im not stupid linda. you sorted it out. you and councillor eddie lyons.”

“i could have been… i could have been him!”

Question 37

What quote shows Mickey’s depression

Answer 37

“leave me alone will y’? i can;t cope with this. i’m not well”

Question 38

What quote shows Edward’s friendly personality

Answer 38

Act One Later - meeting Mickey for the first time he is generous with his sweets “Yes, of course. Take as many as you want.”

Question 39

Can you give a quote that shows Edward is good natured

Answer 39

“No…I’m not. I’m not scared at all, actually.”

Question 40

Where in the play is there an example of Edward’s politeness

Answer 40

“Hello, Mrs Johnstone. How are you?”

Question 41

Where is the play is Edward shown to be brave?

Answer 41

“You can do exactly as you shoose, ssir, You can take a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut! But you shall not take my locket!”

Question 42

Can you give an example of Edward’s loyalty?

Answer 42

“I can’t tell you that, Ma. I’ve explained, it’s a secret”

Question 43

What quote shows that Edward can be mischevious?

Answer 43

‘he grabs linda’s mate and begins to waltz her around’

Question 44

Where is the play is it obvious that Edward is in love with Linda?

Answer 44

“if i was mickey i would have asked you years ago”

Question 45

Can you give an example of Edward’s naivety? (2)

Answer 45

“where’s the action, the booze the Christmas parties…”

“Why is a job so important? If I couldn’t get a job I’d just say, sod it and draw the dole, live like a bohemian’

Question 46

Can you give an example of a time Linda is shown to be kind

Answer 46

“An’ listen, Mickey, if y’ dead, there’s no school, is there?”

Question 47

Where is Linda shown to have a rebellious nature (3)

Answer 47

“well, i will. I’m not scared either. Are you, Eddie?”

“Oh, leave him alone, you. Y’ big worm”

“Oh my god, look” pointing upwards

Question 48

How does the actor playing Linda portray her protective feelings towards Mickey?

Answer 48

Act one after sammy “shoots” Mickey in the game and tells him he is dead Linda sings “ But when you’ did His hand was hid Behind his back His fingers crossed An’ so he’s not.”

she continues to stick up for him “ Leave him alone!”

“you stay where y’ are mickey. you’ve done nothin’”

Question 49

Can you give some quotes that show Linda is loving

Answer 49

“I dont care who knows, I just love you, I love you!”

“Listen, mickey, i’ve told y’. theyre just junk. you’ll be home soon and you should come off them”

Question 50

Where does the play show that Linda is a strong confident character?

Answer 50

“I think y’ might be more successful if you were to sort of put your arms around here”

Question 51

Where in the play is Mr Lyons shown to be caring?

Answer 51

“Come on, come on…It’s all right, Jennifer. You’re just a little..It’s this depression thing”

Question 52

Where is the play is Mr Lyon’s traditional outlook shown

Answer 52

“Oh well, I suppose you know best. The house is your domain”

Question 53

Where is the play is it shown that Mr Lyon’s is absent from his role as parent

Answer 53

Act 1 early - Mrs L responding to Mrs J asking when Mr L will be back “ Oh it seems such a long time. The company sent him out there for nine months”

“Mummy will read the story, Edward. I’ve got to go to work for an hour.”

Question 54

Can you give an example of Mr Lyons feelings of self importance/ selfishness

Answer 54

“For Christ’s sake, you bring me home from work in the middle of the day, just to say you haven’t seen him for an hour”

Question 55

Give an example of the narrator commenting on superstitions - bad luck and religious beliefs

Answer 55

Early in the play, Mrs Lyons puts new shoes on the table and Mrs J gets freaked out : Narrator lists superstitions said to cause bad luck
“There’s shoes upon the table an’ a joker in the pack. The salt’s been spilled and a looking glass cracked. There’s one magpie overhead.”

Later Act One - singing when Mrs J has been sacked and paid off “Ain’t no point in clutching at your rosary… But y’know the devil’s got your number”

Act One after Mrs L begins to worry about Mickey and Edward being friends “ There’s gypsies in the wood, An’ they’ve been watchin’ you”…. “You know the Devil’s got our number”

Question 56

Where does the narrator provide comic relief

Answer 56

“Actually I’ve given up the milk round and gone into medicine”

Question 57

Can you give an example of the narrator providing foreshadowing

Answer 57

“how quickly an idea, planted, can take root and grow into a plan.”

Question 58

How does the narrator’s introduction give the play a formal and historical allegorical feel?

Answer 58

Use of the narrator similar to traditional allegorical drama, draws on folk tradition - oral history performance of moral tales.

The narrator’s language is ominous and formal when introducing the violent drama of the play - “of one womb born”, “when a mother cried - my own dear sons lie slain”

some performances use military horn to give an increased formal and solemn atmosphere to the narrator’s introduction.

Question 59

How is Mrs Johnstone shown to have been somewhat vain in her youth and disappointed by the inconsistency of Mr J’s admiration.

Answer 59

Beginning of Act 1 - “he told me I was sexier that Marilyn Monroe” “They said the bride was lovelier than Marilyn Monroe” then “with a wife he said was twice the size of Marilyn Monroe” and “by the time I was twenty five, I looked forty two”

Question 60

What is an example of comedy - light relief to the drama?

Answer 60

Milkman in Act 1 in response to Mrs J saying she needs milk as she is pregnant - “I might be the milkman but it’s got nothing to do with me”

Question 61

Can you give an example of where in the play Mrs J’s loneliness is shown

Answer 61

Act 1 early - Mrs L to Mrs J about house “It’s a pity it’s so big, I’m finding it rather large at present”… “Actually, Mrs J, we bought such a large house for the - for the children, we though children would come along”

Question 62

Give an example of where Mrs L is shown to be presumptuous and unsympathetic to Mr L and Mrs J

Answer 62

Act 1 - early “July… He need never know” “I know, it is. It’s mad.. but it’s wonderful”

Question 63

Beyond the use of accent and dialect what aspects of the play fix it’s location.

Answer 63

Act 1 - early Mrs J on imaging her potential child growing up with Mrs L “his clothing would be supplied by George Henry Lee” a large department store unique to Liverpool.

Question 64

How does the play show that Mrs J has misgivings and anxiety from the beginning of the pact

Answer 64

Act 1 = just after Mrs L has encouraged her to place her hand on the bible “ Why.. why did we have to do that?”

Does not notify Mrs L of birth - Act 1 - Mrs J sings “ Never sure, who’s at the door, or the price I’ll have to pay” Mrs L arrives “ They’re born you didn’t notify me”

Question 65

What is the second pact of the play

Answer 65

Act one later - When Mickey and Edward first meet they realize they have the same birth date and swear to be blood brothers.