Blood Brothers - Mrs Johnstone Flashcards
“Marilyn Monroe”
Motif - tragic heroine
Foreshadows tragedy - ironic prophecy
Act 1 Page 16 - ”But a debt is a debt and must be paid”
Repetition
Debt has a deeper meaning linking to the idea of there being a price to pay
This is the ultimate price that mrs Johnstone and mrs Lyon’s must pay for separating the twins
Act 1 pg 25 - ”Don’t you ever go up there. Do you hear me?”
Imperative language
Highlights her desperation for mickey to not know he is a twin
Perhaps foreshadowing the ‘debt’ that will have to be paid
Act 1 Page 16 ”when y’look in the catalogue ‘an there’s six months to pay, it seems years away…”
cycle of poverty is inescapable
Act 1 Page 17 the song ”Easy Terms”
Theme of poverty
The inevitable consequence of Mrs Johnstone’s actions is that both grow up in different classes
This almost makes their conflict seem fated
Act 1 Page 17 ”you never ever learn”
foreshadowing
Foreshadows the ultimate price of losing their sons
Act 1 Page 19 ”What is it like there mam in heaven”
Metaphor and dramatic irony
Middle class life represents Heaven for the working class - perfect existence
Also we know Mickey’s twin didn’t die
Act 1 Page 19 ” I’ll have a look in the catalogue next week…”
motif of poverty
Never escaping the cycle of poverty - Mrs Johnstone continues to buy things she can’t afford
This keeps her impoverished and brings her hardship
Act 1 Page 32 ”Mrs Johnstone stands still, staring at him“
Stage direction
She realizes she is looking at her son, she is shocked
Act 1 Page 33 ”Beat it, go home before the bogey man gets y’.“
Motif of superstition
Foreshadows the misery to come for the main characters
Act 1 Page 34 ”his father produces a gun for him“
motif of guns
The prop foreshadows the deaths of Mickey and Eddie
Act 1 Page 51 ”but keep it a secret eh Eddie?“
dramatic irony and foreshadowing
Their entire relationship has been lies, lies that will eventually be uncovered
Act 2 Page 59 ”says I’ve got legs like Marilyn Monroe“
Motif of Marilyn Monroe
Now that she can pay her bills, she is desirable again
Act 2 Page 59 ”Mrs Johnstone and Joe dance“ and ”I know our Sammy burnt the school down”
Juxtaposition from the dancing motif
Trouble always follows her, foreshadowing the tragic ending
Act 2 Page 61 ”Not like Marilyn Monroe…“
Motif of Marilyn Monroe
She hopes Edward is living a happy life, not like her/Marilyn Monroe (MM killed herself)
The repetition of the motif foreshadows the ending due to how constant it is mentioned
