‘BLOOD BROTHERS’ ESSAY

Learning Intention I will write a critical essay explaining how the relationship between Edward and Mickey changes throughout the play ‘Blood Brothers’.

Essay Question How does the relationship between Edward and Mickey change throughout ‘Blood Brothers’? You may discuss the following: plot, stage directions, dialogue, key scenes, characterisation, theme, plot, setting, climax, conflict……..

Task Bullet point the key events in Edward and Mickey’s relationship.

How would you describe the relationship at each stage in the play? The boys are separated at birth The boys meet at the age of 7 and vow to be blood brothers The boys are separated again when the Lyons move house The boys meet at 14 in a field and resume their friendship Edward moves to university Mickey is made redundant Mickey marries Linda who is pregnant Linda goes to Edward for help when Mickey is unemployed and depressed Edward and Mickey discover they are brothers and die Are there any other significant stages in their relationship? Link these stages to the play’s themes

Your essay Your essay must focus on the relationship between Edward and Mickey and how it develops throughout the play. Do not simply tell the story. In order to fully show how it develops, you must discuss why it develops. Therefore use critical terminology and discuss the following: stage directions key scenes characterisation theme plot setting structure climax Conflict dialogue

Writing your essay Focus on the significant stages in the relationship which are relevant to the essay question. You do not have to write about everything, especially if you feel it doesn’t strengthen your argument.

Introduction Name of play and writer Describe the plot, setting, themes and characters Explain the focus of your essay 2,3,4,5 etc…. Main Body - STAR Statement (refer to the question and explain the focus of the paragraph) Textual evidence (piece of evidence to support your statement) Analysis (explain how the evidence supports your statement) Response (explain how the reader is made to feel and refer back to the question) Conclusion Answer the essay question in a few sentences Explain your opinion of the play and how it has affected you

Expression Which statement is more effective? In my second paragraph I will explain what the boys’ relationship is like when they meet, aged 7. The boys meet for the first time at the age of 7 and instantly bond with each other, showing the start of a strong relationship.

In this paragraph I will explain how the boys’ relationship changes when Edward goes to university. When Edward goes to university, the boys’ relationship suffers as they begin to realise how different their lives are. Both Edward and Mickey have different priorities in life which creates conflict and highlights the themes of social class and nature versus nurture.

A quote I will be analysing to show the change in the relationship is, “urbgube”. This shows a change in the relationship because………. Mickey shows that he feels differently about Edward when he says: Mickey: fjbuewbfubeb His anger towards Edward is clear as he feels insulted that Edward is taking his problems seriously.

Quotes Indent, separating from the rest of your essay. Lay out line by line, stating when and why the quote is used. State the name of the character who is speaking. Jfbhwebfbwefbuwbnifniqwjhnfidhnqwfubhebfhbeuebfubuweb: Edward: jnbfjebgebiei Mickey: jhngjeieeubn Edward: vjrgvjebvjbjb efneuwbgubergbengvikenineibnscjnejkbfjkbokmasdoawjdeuwbhfbshbfhbdbjfsknfiksnfnnikinkn