Violence essay plan

introduction

violence is used for not just dramatic effect but to explore the deep rooted causes of tragedy in a divided society

writer's message

Russell presents violence as a product of poverty, class inequality and fate, showing how society pushes the working class towards destruction

essay plan

Para 1 : Violence as a tragic inevitability

Para 2 : Violence as a product of poverty and class

Para 3 : Violence and childhood innocence

Para 4 : Domestic and emotional violence

Paragraph 1

(tragic inevitability)

• Violence is foreshadowed from the beginning, giving the play a sense of tragic inevitability

• Greek tragedy influence - fate controls characters lives just like class and society do here

Paragraph 1 quote and analysis

“so did y’hear the story of the Johnstone twins… who died on the self-same day?” - prologue, gunshots at the end -

• Russell structures the play as a tragedy, endings revealed at the start.

• Violence is inescapable – reflects the lack of control the characters have over their fates.

• audience is forced to focus on why the violence happens, rather than what happens.

Paragraph 2

(poverty and class)

• Mickey’s descent into violence is directly linked to his class and lack of opportunity.

• Thatcher-era Britain, where working-class communities faced unemployment and neglect.

Paragraph 2 quote and analysis

• “I could’ve been him!” – Mickey after discovering Edward’s privileged life.

• Mickey’s involvement in crime and imprisonment.

Mickey’s violence is born out of hopelessness and envy – emotions stemmed from social inequality.

Russell shows the working class is more likely to turn to violence when they are systematically oppressed.

Paragraph 3

( childhood innocence )

• Violence is shown even in childhood games, suggesting it’s embedded early.

• Russell shows how cycles of violence are passed down through generations.

Paragraph 3 quote and analysis

• Games like playing with toy guns foreshadow real violence.

The line between play and real violence is thin in the working-class environment.

Shows how children grow up surrounded by aggression, making adult violence seem inevitable.

Paragraph 4

( domestic and emotional violence )

Not all violence is physical. emotional and psychological damage is just as destructive.

Russell shows that emotional damage can lead to physical consequences—culminating in the final act of violence.

Paragraph 4 quote and analysis

• “You dont understand anything do y’ eh?”

• Mickeys emotional outbursts towards Linda and Eddie"

Mickey’s mental deterioration represents the internal violence caused by unemployment, depression, and betrayal.

conclusion

• violence is presented as a symptom of deeper societal problems—poverty, class division, emotional neglect, and fate.

• It is not gratuitous but deeply symbolic, reinforcing his message that society must change to prevent tragedy.

• Violence is not just an ending, but a warning.