Blood

1. Brothers Blood

2. What will you do in 1 hour? • Answer a question on a passage from the novel. [20 mins] CONTEXT • Write an essay. You will have a choice of two. [40 mins] ESSAY

3. Section A: Context20 mins • You will be given a passage to read and a question to answer. • Read the question before reading the passage and line-mark • Write 4/5 paragraphs like a comprehension. Aim for a page of your answer booklet

4. Types of questions • Atmosphere and mood • Character’s thoughts and feelings • Your feelings about a character • How a character speaks and acts and what that reveals.

5. Approach • Explain choice – why has this extract been chosen? • Track through the extract pulling out and commenting on details. • A writer shows everything through language choices made- there will be lots to comment on. It’s up to you to find it and show how it links to your overview. • It is a play- make full use of stage directions! • End with a conclusion… Overall… sum up response.

6. How do you score on context? • Remember the context is worth 10, the same as a Language comprehension question so don’t write too much. • PEE – you have the passage in front of you so use it. • Aim for a close reading where you analyse connotations of words and techniques.

7. What impressions do we gain of Mrs Lyons and Mrs Johnstone in this extract? What are your thoughts and feelings about Mrs Lyons and Mrs Johnstone here? [10 marks] Mrs Johnstone gets a shock as she looks up and sees Mrs Lyons standing there. The two women stare at each other. Mrs Johnstone: (eventually nodding) Hello Mrs Lyons: How long have you lived here? Pause Mrs Johnstone: A few years Pause Mrs Lyons: Are you always going to follow me? Mrs Johnstone: We were rehoused here … I didn’t follow… Mrs Lyons: Don’t lie! I know what you’re doing to me! You gave him that locket didn’t you? Mm? Mrs Johnstone nods He never takes it off you know. You’re very clever aren’t you? Mrs Johnstone: I… I thought I’d never see him again. I wanted him to have…a picture of me…even though he’d never know Mrs Lyons: Afraid he might eventually have forgotten you? Oh no. There’s no chance of that. He’ll always remember you. After we’d moved he talked less and less of you and your family. I started…just for a while I came to believe that he was actually mine. Mrs Johnstone: He is yours Mrs Lyons: No. I took him. But I never made him mine. Does he know? Have you told… Mrs Johnstone: Of course not! Mrs Lyons: Even when - when he was a tiny baby I’d see him looking staright at me and I’d think …he knows. (Pause) You have ruined me. (Pause) But you won’t ruin Edward! Is it money you want? Mrs Johnstone: What? Mrs Lyons: I’ll get it for you. If you move away from here. How much? Mrs Johnstone: Look… Mrs Lyons: How much? Mrs Johnstone: Nothin! Nothing. (Pause) you bought me off once before…

8. Where does this come from in the text? Context • What can we expect? • What do we know about Mrs Lyons and Mrs Johnstone already? • Read the extract- are we right?

9. Emphasises Mrs J is lost in own world and innocent of what Mrs L accuses her of The play is about two sets of opposites – the twins and the women Mrs Johnstone gets a shock as she looks up and sees Mrs Lyons standing there. The two women stare at each other. Mrs Johnstone: (eventually nodding) Hello Mrs Lyons: How long have you lived here? Pause Mrs Johnstone: A few years Pause Mrs Lyons: Are you always going to follow me? Mrs Johnstone: We were rehoused here … I didn’t follow… Mrs Lyons: Don’t lie! I know what you’re doing to me! You gave him that locket didn’t you? Mm? Mrs Johnstone nods He never takes it off you know. You’re very clever aren’t you? Eventually suggests her shock Reminds us that 7 years have passed Exclamations underline Mrs J’s highly strung nature We are reminded of the twins meeting and becoming blood brothers and then being separated: part of the prophecy Repeated … suggests that Mrs J is intimidated still by Mrs L Mrs J does not try to deny giving the locket – she is honest and we understand her motives in giving it Repeated interrogatives suggest Mrs L’s manic state of mind - reckless

10. Calm and measured. Short sentences show her determination to stay. Mrs L is bitter – her accusation reveals her fear Mrs Johnstone: I… I thought I’d never see him again. I wanted him to have…a picture of me…even though he’d never know Mrs Lyons: Afraid he might eventually have forgotten you? Oh no. There’s no chance of that. He’ll always remember you. After we’d moved he talked less and less of you and your family. I started…just for a while I came to believe that he was actually mine. Mrs Johnstone: He is yours Mrs Lyons: No. I took him. But I never made him mine. Does he know? Have you told… Mrs Johnstone: Of course not! Mrs Lyons: Even when - when he was a tiny baby I’d see him looking staright at me and I’d think …he knows. (Pause) You have ruined me. (Pause) But you won’t ruin Edward! Is it money you want? Mrs Johnstone: What? Mrs Lyons: I’ll get it for you. If you move away from here. How much? Mrs Johnstone: Look… Mrs Lyons: How much? Mrs Johnstone: Nothin! Nothing. (Pause) you bought me off once before… Mrs J begins to stand up for herself using exclamatory Self-fulfilling prophecy Repeated pauses suggest mental processes and a build towards a climax Power balance now swithces between women and Mrs J refuses to accept Mrs L’s tone and accusations – turning point

11. Essay Questions • You will have a choice of two. • Choose carefully • Use any help given in bullet points • Identify key parts of the question – be ready to define or interrogate • Show that you understand the whole text overview.

12. Types of Question 3 main types: • Character • Theme • Empathy

13. Character • What do you think of…. • What are your thoughts and feelings about • Give advice to an actor playing… • Say how the audience meet the character and first impressions given OR start with a quotation by or relating to the character. Then track through journey of character • For advice questions don’t say “ speak loudly” or “ wear a funny hat” but try to think what would be helpful to an actor preparing for the part. Show a sensitive understanding of the character, their relationships and any changes they undergo.

14. Theme • Stay focused- there is a danger of waffling here. • Keep your answer rooted in the text – track the theme throughout • Always focus on the question in the introduction and sum up what you have said in the conclusion.

15. Empathy • Imagine you are… • Don’t JUST tell the story. • Use the first person – write as if you are that character. • Reveal the characters thoughts and feelings… • Focus on key events for that character. • Keep to the present tense. • Use quotations.

16. How do you score on the essay? • Use examples from the book • Quote or refer – referring to incidents or words is just as good • In your opening paragraph try to give a wider view • Write a conclusion where you sum up before moving on.

17. Who do you think is most responsible for the deaths of Mickey and Edward? 6.0 5.6 5.0 4.6 4.0 3.6 3.0

18. Introduction In many ways, all of the key characters in Blood Brothers are to blame for the twins’ ultimate death. Even from the first page we know that they will die: ‘did you ever hear how the Johnstones died’ so it could be argued that fate is to blame rather than the characters themselves. Equally, both women strike a bargain to separate the boys and this sets in motion a series of events that result in their death. Finally the boys themselves are drawn to each other repeatedly, but ultimately fight against one another and this also plays a part in their tragic death when Mickey says, ‘I could have been him!’

19. Main points Super agenda: All elements play a part in the events that lead to their deaths • Fate through the voice of the narrator - inevitability • Mrs Johnstone for being gullible and superstitious – gives into temptation to have an easier life • Mrs Lyons for ignoring her social conscience in her desperation to have a baby. Later her jealousy overpowers her reason and love for her son • Mickey for allowing circumstances to persuade him to work for Sammy. Later his jealousy of Eddie and anger at his Mother for not giving him the ‘rich life’ leads him to be careless and reckless • Eddie for not seeing what has changed in Mickey’s life and for taking advantage of his weakness and take Linda from him. • Mr Lyons for being a poor role model to Eddie – encourages capitalism • Sammy for being a poor role model to Mickey – encourages criminality

20. RELEVANT QUOTES • Narrator: “Now there’s no going back for anyone” • Mrs J: “I couldn’t afford to keep both of you” • Mrs L: “She turns Mickey round and points out Edward and Linda to him” • Mickey: “Why didn’t you give me away?” • Edward: “Then marry me” • Mr Lyons: “the factory is here…my work is here” • Sammy: “Look at y’ Mickey. What have you got? Nothin’, like me Mam”

21. Advice to the actor questions… • Make sure that your comments can be backed up by references to the text • Refer to voice, using pitch, tone, pace, emphasis, pause • Refer to interaction with others and the motivation behind it • Refer to movements, gestures, expression • Refer to key moments, action and reaction

22. SO: TO SUMMARISE • Background to the book • Its main themes • The characters and relationships • Setting: time and place • Stylistic features used by the writer