Mickey

Question 1

“If I was like him, I’d know all the right words”

Answer 1

1 - Mickey’s deep feelings of inadequacy – believes that intelligence stems from confidence and power

2 - internalised inferiority which based on his class alone

3 - showcases how access to education and language are the clear markers to class - Edward’s ability to express himself allows him to uphold social advantage, stuck in cycles of poverty

4 - foreshadows the end of the play, this is the start of Mickey’s emotional repression, where he feels jealous of Edward

Question 2

“I wish I could […], while no one was looking I grew up”

Answer 2

1 - He grew up unnoticed, and he was forced to nurture too quickly, due to poverty and hardships – Mickey is forced to get an early job he “hated”, while Edward is asking what is the importance of a job

2 - working class children are denied of a carefree upbringing - forced to be an adult too quickly

3 - Perhaps Mickey’s emotional and personal development has been ignored by everyone around him - as a result relies on pills to keep him calm

4 - brevity of the sentence with frequent monosyllabic words, blunt tone, Edward enjoyed a protected youth, Mickey was forced to face adult realities - unfairness of upbringingings shaped my class, not choice

Question 3

“Why didn’t you give me away? I could have been him!”

Answer 3

1 - Mickey’s anger and bitterness directed at the class divide – not only is he jealous of Edward’s success, he is tormented by the idea he could have been different purely based on the class he was given to

2 - his anger is also directed at his mother, blaming her for the life he has ended up in, the only thing he can control is his blame

3 -Mrs Johnstone has to deal with consequences, microcosm of working class mothers, they have to bear the guilt of something purely not their fault