Blood Brothers - Mrs Lyons

Question 1

Act 1 Page 18 ”You swore on the bible”

Answer 1

Motif of superstition

Mrs Lyon’s uses superstition against mrs Johnstone

Question 2

Act 1 Page 19 ”Mrs Lyon’s rapidly pulls out the padding…”

Answer 2

Stage direction

Mrs Lyon’s behaviour is becoming more unstable

Descending into mental instability

Question 3

Act 1 Page 20 ” Mrs Lyon’s in the background obviously agitated at mrs Johnstone’s fussing “

Answer 3

stage direction

Shows that Mrs Lyon’s insecurity is developing

Ultimate contributor to her mental breakdown

Question 4

Act 1 Page 21 ” She’s always fussing over him… as if she were his mother “

Answer 4

Manipulation and dramatic irony

Mrs Lyon’s is manipulating her husband as part of her insecurity over the truth

We know Mrs Johnstone is the real mother

Question 5

Act 1 Page 21 ” It’s this depression thing… “

Answer 5

Foreshadowing

Foreshadows her mental breakdown

Question 6

Act 1 Page 21 ”Mr Lyon’s ( glancing at his watch )”

Answer 6

Stage direction

Mr Lyons is not interested in her health or wellbeing

Mrs Lyons craves attention and is lonely

This could justify her actions of emotionally bullying mrs Johnstone

Question 7

Act 1 Page 21 ” (he hands her the money) “

Answer 7

prop is a symbol of wealth

Contrast between mrs Lyon’s being given money and mrs Johnstone constantly owing money

Question 8

Act 1 Page 22 ” (she pushes money into mrs Johnstone’s hands) “

Answer 8

Stage direction reinforcing motif of class division

physical bribery - Mrs Lyons is able to manipulate Mrs Johnstone by virtue of her wealth

Question 9

Act 1 Page 22 ” Edward is my son. Mine “

Answer 9

Possessive language

Illustrates mrs Lyon’s aggressive nature

Mrs Johnstone gave away Edward because of financial necessity and not because she doesn’t love him

pronoun “ my “ shows how mrs Lyon’s sees Edward as a possession

Question 10

Act 1 Page 22 ” You’ll be locked up “

Answer 10

threatening and aggressive tone by mrs lyons

Question 11

Act 1 Page 22 ” (mrs Lyons stops her) “

Answer 11

stage direction with theme of violence

Violence continues to develop through out the play when she hits Edward and attacks mrs Johnstone with a knife.

Question 12

Act 1 Page 22 ”You’ll tell nobody…”

Answer 12

mrs Lyon’s threatening dialogue

Question 13

Act 1 Page 35 ”Edward … Edward it’s time for bed“

Answer 13

Dramatic pause with ellipses

Shows panic and realisation that Mickey is Edward’s twin

Question 14

Act 1 Page 36 ”Ushers mickey out“

Answer 14

Stage direction

Demonstrates the panic Mrs Lyons has in trying to hide the fact Mickey and Edward are twins

Question 15

Act 1 Page 37 ”Mrs Lyons hits Edward hard and instinctively“

Answer 15

Stage direction

She reacts without thinking and regrets it. Possibly showing us her mental demise.

Question 16

Act 1 Page 45 ”because if we stay here I feel that something terrible will happen, something bad.“

Answer 16

Dramatic irony

Audience know she is talking about Edward realizing they are brothers