Blood Brothers- Mrs Johnstone

mrs johnstone is trapped by poverty

“we can just scrape by”

“im stravin and theres nothing”

\-highlights that the money she is getting paid is inadequate

causes her to lose control over her life due to her lack of money

how does mrs johnstone lose control over life?

mrs l manipulates mrs j into giving up edward- mrs j wants edward to have a better life than she could give him

\-she is rehoused by the council and is told about this in a letter she has no say in the matter

* when she falls pregnat mrs j had to marry as she could not suuport herslef nut it was also viewd as unacceptabl in the late 20th century to have a baby out of wedlock
* in my child mrs lyons draws attentio to what she can give edard, stuff that are out of reach for working class such as a “bike with bothe wheel”- the fact that this is a question asked highlights mrs j struggles but is also relatable as duting the depression it was difficult for people to get by and afford things

mrs j superstions

her mothering naature gives other to her fear of superstions- once mrs lyons creates one, the suggetion that she s giving up a child highlights the power it holds over mrs j and the important part it plays in her life

she has strong reactions to superstion- she is terrified when mrs l brings up the superstions abou the twins- an actaul physical reaction is evoked from her despite it only being a metaphorical thing- she is geniuonly frightened of what will happen

her lack of eduaction due to her social class could play apart in her not understanding

religious- catholic

she fears the devil and picture of the pope, she wants to keep both twins but gives in when she is reminded that she “swore on the bible”- keeping her under someone elses control

“seven hungary mouths to feed- perhaps her religion is why she has so many children- she is catholic and so does not believe in the use of contraception

mrs j is unmaterialistic

she only wants to be “alright” and financilay comfortbale0 she only sees money as a way to provide for her family “food on the table” and “toys that work”

a loving mother

mrs j mothering contrasts with mrs lyons who is much strciter and not understanding

she empathises with her children- eving narrating edward and lindas affair

she has tried her best being a single mother which is admirable

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mrs j is judged

her persona is judged for many reasons- not controlling her sexuality enough to not have children

harsh critism from society

“mother so cruel”- introduces the key themes of nature vs nurture and maternatity

said in the exposition of the play falsely setting up our expectations of mrs j- mirroring what society wanted us to view her, this is later developed and we relises the adjective “cruel” is referring to mrs l

optimistic

“bright new day”

“well live like kings”

she never lets her bad dues get in her way- makes her a more sympathetic character

“marylin monroe” represents mrs js happiness and her dreams of a better life

mrs js optimism makes the neding of the play seem more tragic

discriminated against

mrs j is addressed as miss showing his lack of respect towards the working class

then she is threatedned with the “Welfare services” highlightig the evident class prejuidce she experiences due to the leagalisation system

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