Edward

Question 1

Overview of Edward in the play

Answer 1

Edward is the twin whom Mrs Johnstone gives to Mrs Lyons. In the play he:

meets Mickey in the street when they are both seven and becomes his blood brother
is told by Mrs Lyons not to see Mickey again
is given a locket by Mrs Johnstone when he moves away
is suspended from school when he is fourteen
persuades Mickey to tell Linda how he feels
goes to university
comes home for Christmas and tells Linda he has always loved her
becomes a local councillor and begins an affair with Linda
is shot dead by Mickey.

Question 2

Edward is kind and warm

Answer 2

“Yes, of course. Take as many as you want.” “I thought, I thought we always stuck together”
Edward is very animated with Mrs Johnstone and responds enthusiastically as soon as she is kind to him. He keeps the locket she gives him a secret for as long as he can, suggesting that once he forms a connection with someone he is loyal.
Eddie allows Mickey to take as many sweets as he wants, showing he is kindhearted.

Question 3

Edward is presented as tactless and naïve, as he cannot deal with and understand Mickey’s issues.

Answer 3

"Why... why is a job so important?"  "So you’re not working. Why is it so important?"
Edward is inconsiderate of Mickey’s feelings and makes light of the serious situation his friend is in. He shows no empathy towards Mickey as he cannot understand how difficult life for Mickey is without having a comfortably off middle-class family to fall back on - which Edward has.

Question 4

Edward has a privileged but stifled upbringing- he is given away to live in a middle class home.

Answer 4

“clean, neat and tidy” “you should spend more time with him, I don’t want- I don’t want him growing away from you” Eddies upbringing is more privileged than Mickey’s, but his relationship with his parents is weaker than that of Mickey’s

Question 5

Edwards loyalty is very questionable

Answer 5

1. Edward loves Linda but doesn’t do anything, however after he falls out with Mickey he betrays him by having an affair with Linda
2. He seems to be Loyal to Mrs Johnstone, but all the other schoolboys know about his locket, so he did not keep it a secret.
3. Eddie uses his position to get Mickey a job, but does this behind his back which makes it seem patronising.

Question 6

Edward is a representation of upper-class life

Answer 6

” A bike with both wheels on?” “He wouldn’t have to worry where his next meal was comin from”

Eddie is contrasted with Mickey to highlight the difference in their lives do to class.