Fate And Superstition Flashcards
What does Mrs Johnstone say about shoes in Mrs Lyons’ home?
“You never put shoes on the table”
How does Mrs Lyons manipulate Mrs Johnstone into staying silent?
“You won’t tell anyone about this… because if you do you will kill them” or “If either twin learns he was once part of a pair, they shall both immediately die”
Why is Mrs Johnstone being superstitious important?
It shows how her fears influence her every decision, potentially suggesting that if she had told Mickey and Edward earlier that they were twins, their deaths could’ve been avoided as the troubles of adulthood had not hit Mickey yet.
Why does Mickey no longer believe in the “blood brothers stuff”?
Full Quotation: “I wish I could believe in all that blood brothers stuff. But I can’t, because while no one was looking I grew up. An’ you didn’t because you didn’t need to; and i don’t blame you for it”
Mickey “grew up” and lost the hope that he can escape his fate of being inferior to the middle class. Russell could use this to challenge Margaret Thatcher’s views on anyone being successful with enough effort.
What does “There’s a magpie, never look at one magpie. It’s one for sorrow” mean?
From Edward, foreshadows the characters’ fate at the end, reflects “There’s one lone magpie overhead” from the Narrator in the aside where he’s talking about bad luck.
How does the devil relate to the brothers’ fate? Provide at least 1 quotation as support.
Quotations: “But y’know the devil’s got your number”
“y’know he’s right behind y’” (P wrong)
“he’s calling you up today, TODAY, TODAY!” or other relevant qs.
The devil draws nearer as the brothers near their deaths.
Supports the idea that the brothers have no control over their fates as the devil is an external omnipotent force.
What does the narrator ask at the end of the play?
“And do we blame superstition for what came to pass? Or could it be what we […] know as class?”
What can fate and superstition be linked to in terms of class?
Mickey loses the “one thing” left in his life due to Edward in the affair
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Working class has no power compared to middle class - almost like an external force (the devil in the play). Russell potentially presents the middle class as controlling the working class peoples’ fates. Devil as a motif for middle class.
