1. ‘BLOOD BROTHERS’ ESSAY

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

3. 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……..

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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