Mrs Lyons

Question 1

How is Mrs Lyons presented? Is there a degree of sympathy in here?

Answer 1

• Presented as a lonely housewife, with a cold character who finds it difficult to be affectionate towards others.
• This may be her natural personality, but circumstances haven’t helped:
• She and her husband are unable to have children naturally and her husband spends long periods at work away from home
• Gives a more sympathetic stance on her life

Question 2

How is she presented negatively?

Answer 2

• She is wealthy, but dependent upon her successful businessman husband’s income.
• She doesn’t work or do the housework: she hires Mrs Johnstone to do the cleaning
• Russell creates this character as an inconsiderate, pampered but dependent individual

Question 3

How does she take advantage of Mrs Johnstone?

Answer 3

• She is a self-centred character who uses others for her own gain
• Makes her do housework whilst she buys expensive things
• Once Mrs Johnstone has handed over Edward, she no longer needs her and cruelly discards her,
• Manipulates Mrs. J through preying on her uneducated and superstitious mind with the false supersition

Question 4

What is Mrs Lyons like as a mother?

Answer 4

• She is an over-protective mother
• Always anxious about Edward
• Tries to keep him in the house or garden away from Mickey because she doesn’t want him ‘mixing with boys like that’
• Doesn’t want them mixing so Eddie doesn’t find out the truth

Question 5

How does her mental state change throughout?

Answer 5

• Shown to be overcome by anxieties and suspicions in later scenes
• These are results of excessive loneliness and a loveless life
• She becomes unreasonable and is possibly mad when she attacks Mrs Johnstone.