Blood Brothers Twins
Look closely at how Mickey and Edward behave here. What does it reveal about them at this point in the play?
Mickey and Edward are first introduced in Act One as seven year old children. This is a key scene in the play as it is the first time the audience witness the twins and their behaviour together since their separation at birth. During this is scene many contrasts are created and displayed by the two children, mainly through the characters speech and mannerisms.
Upon their introduction to each other, their assigned stage directions create contrasting first impressions for the audience. The “bright and forthcoming” nature of Edward seems somewhat different to the “suspiciously” presented Mickey. This suggests that Edward feels confident to introduce himself and interact with other people, yet Mickey is restraint and introverted, perhaps feeling slightly on edge.
We as a reader are made aware of their opposing backgrounds throughout Act One. The affluent and courteous upbringing of Edward is displayed when he gives Mickey a sweet without any hesitation. Mickeys reaction is “shocked” and we learn he is not used to this generosity when he says,
“Round here if y'ask for a sweet, y'have to ask about, about twenty million times.”
This shows that Mickey is used to brash and impolite behaviour and demonstrates the difference in class between the two boys, reflecting their kindness and attitudes toward sharing.
Further on into the extract, the two boys become more relaxed and comfortable with one another. Edward seems infatuated by Mickeys use of foul language and monstrous behaviour; stage directions such as “exploding in giggles” and “awed” show this. Edward says,
“Pissed off. You say the most smashing things, don't you?”
This demonstrates his unfamiliarity with swearing, again as a result of his upbringing. Mickey then attempts to further impress Edward by saying he knows “loads of words like that” such as the 'F' word. At this stage in the
Mickey and Edward are first introduced in Act One as seven year old children. This is a key scene in the play as it is the first time the audience witness the twins and their behaviour together since their separation at birth. During this is scene many contrasts are created and displayed by the two children, mainly through the characters speech and mannerisms.
Upon their introduction to each other, their assigned stage directions create contrasting first impressions for the audience. The “bright and forthcoming” nature of Edward seems somewhat different to the “suspiciously” presented Mickey. This suggests that Edward feels confident to introduce himself and interact with other people, yet Mickey is restraint and introverted, perhaps feeling slightly on edge.
We as a reader are made aware of their opposing backgrounds throughout Act One. The affluent and courteous upbringing of Edward is displayed when he gives Mickey a sweet without any hesitation. Mickeys reaction is “shocked” and we learn he is not used to this generosity when he says,
“Round here if y'ask for a sweet, y'have to ask about, about twenty million times.”
This shows that Mickey is used to brash and impolite behaviour and demonstrates the difference in class between the two boys, reflecting their kindness and attitudes toward sharing.
Further on into the extract, the two boys become more relaxed and comfortable with one another. Edward seems infatuated by Mickeys use of foul language and monstrous behaviour; stage directions such as “exploding in giggles” and “awed” show this. Edward says,
“Pissed off. You say the most smashing things, don't you?”
This demonstrates his unfamiliarity with swearing, again as a result of his upbringing. Mickey then attempts to further impress Edward by saying he knows “loads of words like that” such as the 'F' word. At this stage in the