Social context Flashcards
When is the play set?
Russel doesn’t exactly say exactly when the play is set, but characters make references to some real life issues of the late 1960s and early 1970s. For example, the “shrinking pound” and the rising “price of oil”.
What industries were badly affected by the economic recession? (When the economy went into a decline and people were earning and spending less money)
Traditional industries such as shipbuilding and coal mining, which often employed whole communities of working class men who relied on these jobs for their livelihood.
How did living vary in Liverpool?
Working class people usually lived in council houses that were small and overcrowded. Most had no heating, no indoor toilets or gardens. Middle class people usually lived in larger areas with better quality houses.
Why were so many cheap materialised (concrete) houses built so quickly?
The need for houses had increased to make up for the loss in the Second World War’s bombing raids.
What were housing conditions like in Skelmersdale?
Well planned, newly built houses that were cleaner, safer and more modern. There was an increase in open space so most houses had large gardens. Homes were no longer falling apart like many of the council houses in Liverpool.
What was Britain like for the middle class in the late 20th century?
Middle class people often received a better education. They could afford to live in areas with good schools, and some sent their children to private schools. This gave them access to universities and well-paid jobs that provided financial security.
What was Britain like for the working class in the late 20th century?
They often couldn’t afford to go to university so instead, they had to get a job so they could earn money and support their families. As a result, many were stuck in low paid jobs for the rest of their working lives.
The bigger impact on the working class.
- In the 1970s there was widespread unemployment among the working class.
- Many people had to live off state benefits.
- They struggled to afford basic things like food and clothes, which led to an increase in depression and crime rates.
Class was associated with behaviour in the 1960s and 70s.
In the late 20th century, there were stereotypes about the way that people from certain social classes behaved.
Money gives some characters power.
Money was one of the factors that determined which class a person belonged to in the late 20th century - middle-class people were far wealthier than working-class people. In contrast, the working-class characters don't have this power - their lack of money forces them into difficult situations.
Family structure was often traditional in the 60s.
- Major social change in the 60s: homosexuality was decriminalised in 67” and divorce made easier in 69”.
- Attitudes remained traditional and were expected to have a “nuclear” structure - where a family is made up of a father, mother and children.
Family structure was often traditional in the 60s. Pt2
- There were gender roles that men and women were expected to fulfil eg the man went to work and earned money whilst the woman looked after the house and children.
- These social issues would have been relevant to audiences in the 80s - single-parent families were becoming more common, divorce rates were rising and gender roles starting to change.
Childhood is presented as a time of innocence.
- As children, the brothers are carefree - they run around playing games and getting into mischief. They imitate the violent behaviour of “Cowboys and Indians” and gangsters from popular American movies of the day, but there are no lasting circumstances because “The whole things just a game”.
- Russel shows that friendship is easy for the twins as children. Edward asks Mickey to be his best friend and Mickey accepts his offer right away.
Youth culture was on the rise in the 60s.
By the 1960s, “teenagers” were recognised as a separate group from children and adults, with different interests and behaviours. They used fashion, hobbies and music to express themselves.
Friendships change as the characters get older.
As young adults, the twins' different lifestyles push them apart. Mickey has to take on adult responsibilities - he gets a job and becomes a father. Edward goes to university and doesn't have the same responsibilities - he's still a child compared to Mickey. They also become aware of class prejudices and how they are separated by the class divide.
