Theme of Class Blood Brothers Full Text Essay
Point 1: Mrs Johnstone works as a cleaner whilst Mrs Lyons does not need to work
and does not understand the struggles of the working class
Mrs Johnstone “by the time I was 25 I looked like 42”. This suggests that she has
had a rough life, and the stress of her life has altered her appearance. This is
maybe because Mrs J has to a work and job and has “7 hungry mouths to feed”
and may be struggling. Perhaps Russell intentions was to show the daily
struggles endured by working class people and the effects it can have on them
physically and mentally
Mrs Lyons says to Mrs J that “it’s a pity it’s so big”- The verb “pity” suggests she
is boasting and does not understand the struggles of the working class. Mrs
Lyons is of the middle class and can stay at home as her husband is in a high
paid job.
Mrs Lyons then uses her social class to manipulate Mrs J into giving one of her
babies
“you’re already being threatened by the welfare”- Verb “threatened” suggests
Mrs L is using the problems suffered by many middle class people against Mrs J.
Perhaps Russell intentions was to show how people of the middle class would
regard themselves as better than those of the lower class and would show a lack
of empathy towards them and they will not stop until they get what they desire.
Mrs J then talks about how the child would have “silver trays to take meals on”-
The juxtaposition of the 2 mothers shows the different expectations they have.
Perhaps Russell intentions was to show how Mrs J hopes for nice luxuries which
she unfortunately not afford due to the inherent bias in the class system
Point 2: Eddie and Mickey first meet and are different in the ways they are
presented.
Mickey is described as “bored and petulant” however Eddie is described as
“bright and forthcoming”. The adjective “bright” suggests that Edward has had a
good upbringing as he is well-presented as he is from the middle-class and was
brought up by a wealthy family so has the money for his needs. This contrasts
Mickey. Perhaps Russell intentions was to show how the boys are from the same
mother by nature but have been nurtured by other mothers. The reason for the
difference in the boys is because they both come from different social class
backgrounds.
When Mickey asks to “gis a sweet” Eddie replies “take as many as you like”. –
Suggests the theme of class as Eddie is able to afford sweets whilst Mickey is
unable to.
When Mickey asks if Eddie knows “the F word”. Eddie replies and says, “what
does it mean”. This suggests that he is innocent as he has not been taught this
or heard it and has been protected from bad language like this. Perhaps Russell
wanted to show the class divide as Mickey has heard swear words due to his
upbringing in a rough and poverty-stricken area whilst Eddie has been protected
away from the poorer class as many middle-class people thought they were bad
Point 1: Mrs Johnstone works as a cleaner whilst Mrs Lyons does not need to work
and does not understand the struggles of the working class
Mrs Johnstone “by the time I was 25 I looked like 42”. This suggests that she has
had a rough life, and the stress of her life has altered her appearance. This is
maybe because Mrs J has to a work and job and has “7 hungry mouths to feed”
and may be struggling. Perhaps Russell intentions was to show the daily
struggles endured by working class people and the effects it can have on them
physically and mentally
Mrs Lyons says to Mrs J that “it’s a pity it’s so big”- The verb “pity” suggests she
is boasting and does not understand the struggles of the working class. Mrs
Lyons is of the middle class and can stay at home as her husband is in a high
paid job.
Mrs Lyons then uses her social class to manipulate Mrs J into giving one of her
babies
“you’re already being threatened by the welfare”- Verb “threatened” suggests
Mrs L is using the problems suffered by many middle class people against Mrs J.
Perhaps Russell intentions was to show how people of the middle class would
regard themselves as better than those of the lower class and would show a lack
of empathy towards them and they will not stop until they get what they desire.
Mrs J then talks about how the child would have “silver trays to take meals on”-
The juxtaposition of the 2 mothers shows the different expectations they have.
Perhaps Russell intentions was to show how Mrs J hopes for nice luxuries which
she unfortunately not afford due to the inherent bias in the class system
Point 2: Eddie and Mickey first meet and are different in the ways they are
presented.
Mickey is described as “bored and petulant” however Eddie is described as
“bright and forthcoming”. The adjective “bright” suggests that Edward has had a
good upbringing as he is well-presented as he is from the middle-class and was
brought up by a wealthy family so has the money for his needs. This contrasts
Mickey. Perhaps Russell intentions was to show how the boys are from the same
mother by nature but have been nurtured by other mothers. The reason for the
difference in the boys is because they both come from different social class
backgrounds.
When Mickey asks to “gis a sweet” Eddie replies “take as many as you like”. –
Suggests the theme of class as Eddie is able to afford sweets whilst Mickey is
unable to.
When Mickey asks if Eddie knows “the F word”. Eddie replies and says, “what
does it mean”. This suggests that he is innocent as he has not been taught this
or heard it and has been protected from bad language like this. Perhaps Russell
wanted to show the class divide as Mickey has heard swear words due to his
upbringing in a rough and poverty-stricken area whilst Eddie has been protected
away from the poorer class as many middle-class people thought they were bad
