Willie Russell's Blood Brothers - Key Themes and Quotes
Introduction
- The lecture covers key themes and critical quotes in Willie Russell's play "Blood Brothers."
- Focus on social environment impacts, class differences, and the power of superstition.
Opening Quote
- Quote: "So did you hear the story of the Johnston twins... one was kept and one given away."
- Theme: Identity and fate.
- Simile: "As like each other as two new pins" - highlights identical nature.
- Takeaway: Social environment's role in one's life path; one twin kept (Mickey) and one given away (Edward).
Social Class and Future Prospects
- Quote: "He's gone up to heaven, love..."
- Meaning: Edward, as a middle-class child, is likened to living in a heavenly realm due to better future prospects.
- Contrast: Mrs. Lyons' household described as a palace.
Mrs. Lyons' Concerns
- Quote: "I don't want her to hold the baby, Richard..."
- Concern: Fear of Edward "catching" poor living habits or chaos rather than diseases.
- Motivation: Keep Edward from interacting with Johnston family.
Power of Superstition
- Quote: "If either twin learns that he was once a pair, they shall both immediately die."
- Theme: Superstition's power and presence.
- Foreshadowing: Their eventual deaths when they discover they are twins.
Social Class Differences
- First Meeting: Mickey and Edward's names and speech patterns illustrate class differences.
- Mickey: Informal, shortened names (e.g., "Mickey", "Mam").
- Edward: Formal, full names (e.g., "Edward", "Mummy").
- Language Variation: Use of phrases like "Mickey's tart" in Johnston's household indicates class divide.
Policeman's Bias
- Quote: "It was more of a prank really..."
- Situation: Edward, Mickey, and Linda in trouble; different treatment by the police based on class.
- Irony: Policeman advising Edward to "keep with his own kind," unaware of Edward's biological connection to Mickey.
Transition to Adulthood
- Quote: "And only if the three of them could stay like that forever..."
- Theme: Transition from youth to adulthood, impact of upbringing.
- Literary Device: Anaphora - repetition of "and only if" highlights impossibility of halting change.
Diverging Life Paths
- Quote: "While no one was looking I grew up and you didn't..."
- Situation: Mickey loses job, Linda is pregnant; divergence from Edward's opportunities.
- Contrast: Mickey's adult responsibilities vs. Edward's sheltered life.
The Truth Revealed
- Quote: "You, you... why did you give me away..."
- Event: Mickey learns the truth about his and Edward's identities.
- Realization: The life he could have had, underscored by societal class barriers.
Final Reflection
- Quote: "And do we blame superstition for what came to pass or... class"
- Conclusion: Questions the role of superstition versus systemic class structures.
- Implication: Both could have succeeded but faced societal pressures and class expectations.
- Message: Inequality will lead to societal consequences, no matter the insulation from one's own kind.
Conclusion
- Encourages looking for these themes while engaging with the play.
- Video intended to enhance enjoyment and understanding of "Blood Brothers."
- Call to action for viewers to like and subscribe for more content.
These notes provide a comprehensive overview of the key themes and quotes discussed in the lecture on Willie Russell's "Blood Brothers," focusing on identity, class, and superstition.