Compare how Willy Russell Essay Example for Free

Compare how Willy Russell Essay Compare how Willy Russell portrays the two brothers in Blood Brothers. Account for the different reactions the audience have to the two characters throughout the play. Willy Russell successful playwright Blood Brothers conjures up many debateable topics including the intriguing separation of twin brothers Mickey and Eddie. During my essay I shall indulge into the social differences and similarities occurring between the twin brothers, whilst giving personal responses of my own and explaining the effects materializing on the audience and if it is what Russell hoped for. I shall give thought provoking evidence to back up my opinions and create emotional differing acknowledgements to enhance my essay. The theme constantly running through the play is that of a social difference and a difference in class. The title Blood Brothers has several denotations with Blood meaning possible violence or a blood relation whereas Brothers could mean a close/good relationship. The opening line Have you ever heard the story of the Johnston brothers? makes the audience inquisitive from the start, and sets the scene for the story. From the first mention of the brothers in Act 1 Scene 5, the audience can notice Edward is instantly shown to be more socially superior to Mickey having been chosen by Mrs Lyons to be the baby to have the life of luxury and live with her. She pressurised Mrs Johnston to say At the birth of my twins I shall give one of the children to Jennifer J. Lyons. Russell is trying to cause an early rift amongst the brothers and profound that society treats people in many different ways and can pave the way for peoples lifespan. The audience feel generally excited towards this turning point in the play and would love to know how the rest of the play and the brothers lifes pan out. I feel a certain sorrow for Mrs Johnston having been threatened by Mrs Lyons, to secure the rights of Edward. In Act 1 Scene 8, Mrs Lyons says They say that if either twin learns he was one of a pair they shall both die immediately. Despite a great sadness for Mrs Johnston, I also feel a magnitude of happiness and hope for the great life Edward shall have before him. Once the brothers meet the comparison between the two experiences another social difference, as in terms of manner the brothers speak within a whole different complex. Poor manners and a broad liverpudlian accent are reminiscent of something Mickey would say. In Act 2 Scene2 Mickey says Im not playing now because I am pissed off. Whereas the well spoken Eddie would say Fantastic, I shall look it up in the dictionary. This particular difference occurs due to the far from similar worlds the brothers have been brought up in; this difference would make the audience think the brothers had no relation or link whatsoever. The audience also feel sorrow for Mickey knowing he has not had the same chances as his brother but I can also presumably see humour as the brothers diverse childhoods lead them to say contrastingly opposite things. Again in Act 2 Scene2 the level of knowledge between the two brothers is also experiencing a huge difference, exaggerating that the upper class are more intelligent than the lower class. Again Russell is trying to convince the audience that Eddie is benefitting from his greater advanced sociality. Eddie says Dont you know what a dictionary is? Mickey responds Course I do. Its a thingy isnt it? Eddies question may insult the intelligence of Mickey but again the different upbringings result in a difference of knowledge. The audience and I feel pitiful for the poor Eddie who hasnt had the same chances as his brother yet I can see a humorous side as Russell again exaggerates how less intelligent lower class people are. Mrs Lyons tells her son not to play down where Mickey lives. Two possible reasons for this could explain Mrs Lyons concerns. The first reason could be that Mrs Lyons doesnt want Eddie to play with children with such a gulf in class and mix with the wrong kind. The second reason could be how Mrs Lyons doesnt want Eddie to meet Mickey and unravel the truth about their brotherhood. Mrs Lyons says Ive told you never to go where that boy lives. I believe the audience vent their first bit of anger, aimed at Mrs Lyons as she is hiding the inevitable truth from Eddie and the audience probably believe the brothers deserve to know the truth. But telling the truth could ruin Mrs Lyons chance of parenthood. Mickey ventures into an adventurous life and Eddie very much wants to follow in his steps. Many quotes prove this, like when in Act 2 Scene3 Mickey says Hiya Eddie. Look, Ive got our Sammys catapult. You coming out eh? Eddie replies Isnt Mickey fantastic, Mum? This shows the first of many similarities between Eddie and Mickey and despite different lifes, there is still a likability factor between the two and they enjoy playing and being mischievous. This bond between the brothers pleases the audience who want the boys to happily reveal the secret, being kept from them. Mickey persuades Eddie into light hearted behaviour (peer pressure). Eddie, despite reluctant still enrols in this misbehaviour, showing a side similar to his brother.