Blood Brothers (AQA GCSE English Literature)

It suggests that Edward is not naturally rebellious, but nevertheless wants to defy his strict upbringing.

It shows that Edward’s upbringing has had little to no effect on his behaviour.

It illustrates that Edward and Mickey share rebellious tendencies despite their different upbringings.

It suggests that Edward is deeply superstitious, like Mrs Johnstone, his mother by birth.

He shows that social class differences have little effect on the twins’ friendship.

He highlights how social class drives the twins apart, despite their similar natures.

He suggests that Mickey’s working-class background allows him to overcome poverty.

He argues that Edward’s wealth isolates him from all social problems, while Mickey struggles mentally.

The narrator’s references to superstition suggest that the characters’ actions are determined by fate.

The narrator’s focus on superstition highlights that it has no real impact on the characters' decisions.

The narrator uses superstition to mock magical thinking, thereby making light of the tragic events in the play.

The narrator’s references imply that social class and personal choices, as well as fate, influence the characters.

Mickey’s decision shows his desire to rise above his social class and earn more respect.

Mickey’s involvement in the robbery illustrates the desperation caused by poverty.

Mickey robs the store to prove to Edward that he can be as successful as him.

Mickey’s participation is due to his innate violent nature rather than his social situation.

The narrator implies that the characters’ actions and choices are futile, as their fate is preordained.

The narrator’s references suggest that superstition has no real effect on the characters’ lives.

The references to the devil show that Mrs Johnstone’s superstitions are what drive her decisions.

The narrator uses the devil to suggest that the characters can still change their fate through free will.

The games represent how class differences foreshadow a clash between the twins later in life.

The children’s games show that violence is learned behaviour, but it does not affect their futures.

The children’s pretend violence foreshadows the real violence between the twins in the final scene.

The children’s games show that they are naturally violent, which foreshadows their eventual deaths.

It leads Mrs Johnstone to make choices that seal her and her sons’ fate, setting the tragedy in motion.

It leads to Mrs Johnstone’s eventual decision to keep both of her sons, ending the cycle of fate.

Mrs Lyons’ manipulation is irrelevant to the plot, as fate would have led to the same ending regardless.

The manipulation is a minor plot device that affects Mrs Lyons’ personal journey, but not the twins.

Edward’s privileged middle-class upbringing has shielded him from the hardships that Mickey faces.

Edward’s carefree nature is a result of his personality, which was unaffected by his upbringing.

Edward’s attitude is driven by his desire to rebel against the environment created by his strict parents.

Edward’s carefree nature is due to his strong bond with Mickey, who influences his outlook on life.

Both characters make moral missteps, demonstrating that social class has no influence on their decisions or fates.

Mrs Johnstone’s differing parenting styles implies a moral difference between the working and middle classes.

Mrs Lyons' wealth makes her more morally virtuous than Mrs Johnstone, who struggles with dishonesty due to her poverty.

Both women face the same struggles, but Mrs Lyons' wealth gives her more power over her circumstances.

Mickey defies authority due to his working-class frustration, while Edward uses his privileged position to charm his way out of trouble.

Both Mickey and Edward reject authority because they share the same rebellious nature, despite their different upbringings.

Edward’s respect for authority comes from his middle-class education, while Mickey’s defiance is a result of his lack of discipline.

Mickey’s respect for authority is shaped by his upbringing, while Edward’s privileged background makes him indifferent to authority.

Mickey’s growing distance from Linda is driven by his jealousy of Edward’s wealth, while Edward’s affection for Linda reflects his sheltered upbringing.

Mickey and Edward both distance themselves from Linda, reflecting an inability, caused by their upbringings, to deal with emotional relationships

Edward’s relationship with Linda is built on mutual respect, while Mickey’s frustration with his own life leads to his mistreatment of Linda.

Both Mickey and Edward treat Linda the same, but Linda favours Edward because of his wealth and ability to provide for her future.

Mickey was influenced by admiration for his older brother, Sammy, who was involved in criminal activities.

Mickey had an innate tendency towards violence and criminality from a young age.

Mickey’s unemployment and poverty drove him to commit crimes he would not have otherwise considered.

Mickey resented Edward’s success and saw crime as a way to exact revenge on his twin brother.

Mrs Johnstone, for agreeing to give up one of her twins and allowing the separation to occur

Mrs Lyons, for manipulating Mrs Johnstone through a superstition that ultimately leads to the twins’ deaths

The narrator, who repeatedly reminds the audience of the inevitable tragedy and fate and fails to stop it

Mickey, for allowing his jealousy and resentment of Edward’s privileged life to escalate into violence

The narrator is highly effective, as he continuously reminds the audience that the characters’ fates are sealed, reinforcing the idea of inevitable destiny.

The narrator is ineffective, as his constant reminders of fate remove any sense of tension or uncertainty in the play’s outcome.

The narrator is partially effective, as he presents both fate and free will, but his role diminishes the characters’ responsibility for their own choices.

The narrator is unnecessary, as the theme of fate versus free will is already clear through the characters' actions.