Blood Brothers Key Theme: Social Class (AQA GCSE English Literature): Revision Note

Social class mind map  

The theme of social class in key parts of Blood Brothers:

What are the elements of social class in Blood Brothers?

Social class is presented in Blood Brothers in the following ways:

• Nature versus nurture: Mickey grows up in poverty with limited opportunities, while Edward enjoys a privileged, middle-class lifestyle:

  • Their contrasting upbringings are presented as the key factor in determining how their lives develop

• Language differences: Russell uses language to denote class: 

  • Mickey’s informal, working-class speech contrasts with Edward’s refined vocabulary, demonstrating their differing social backgrounds

• Privilege: In Act 1, the police treat Edward leniently while threatening Mickey, even though both boys behaved in the same manner:

  • This reflects how social institutions favour the wealthy

• Class and wealth: Mrs Johnstone’s economic struggles ultimately shape the fates of both twins:

  • Mickey’s financial hardships push him into crime

  • Mrs Johnstone’s and Mickey’s decisions highlight the lack of financial security for the working class compared to Edward’s lack of financial concerns

The impact of social class on characters

The theme of social class is central to relationships between characters in Blood Brothers. Russell explores how economic and social divisions impact characters' lives and determine their futures. Russell contrasts the characters of Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Lyons to highlight inequalities between the working and middle classes, while the different upbringings of Mickey and Edward demonstrate how access to privilege and opportunity shapes their identities. The play critiques the British class system by depicting the struggles of working-class characters and the advantages given to the wealthy, questioning whether social mobility is truly achievable:

Why does Willy Russell use the theme of social class in his play?

1.  To critique social inequality

• Russell exposes the disadvantages faced by the working class and the privileges enjoyed by the wealthy:

  • For example, Edward and Mickey are both suspended from school, but the consequences are different for both: Mickey’s education and prospects suffer, while Edward goes to university 

2. Challenging the myth of social mobility

• The play challenges the Thatcherite ideology that success is based purely on effort, showing how someone’s environment and class shape their opportunities:

  • The play questions how hard work alone could possibly overcome class barriers, when such enormous structural inequalities persist

  • Mickey does not lose his job because he doesn’t work hard enough: he is a victim of an economic downturn that had a devastating effect on working-class people

3. Tragic contrast

• The stark differences between Mickey and Edward’s lives add to the play’s emotional impact, reinforcing its message about class injustice

Exam-style questions on the themes of social class

Try planning a response to the following essay questions as part of your revision of social class: 

• How does Russell present the theme of social class in Blood Brothers?

• How does Russell use the character of Mrs Lyons to explore class prejudice in Blood Brothers?