Ruffles Revision 2: Blood Brothers

Weaknesses in the mock Not enough use of the quote A range of ideas and interpretations needed Learning and memorising quotes Context

Characters, Themes, Context + Motifs Mrs Johnstone Responsibility Childhood The Narrator Love Willy Russell Class Mrs Lyons Fate Linda Marilyn Monroe Guns Characters, Themes, Context + Motifs Friendship Mickey Superstition Education Sin Music/Songs Eddie Mrs Johnstone Guilt Death Thatcher Tragedy

Blood Brothers: Contextual Information Marilyn Monroe Liverpool Margaret Thatcher Blood Brothers: Contextual Information Willy Russell Closure of industry Unemployment Superstition

Tell me what you know: Margaret Thatcher: 1978 – 1990, Working class – Father was green grocer Cut benefits, Poll tax, raised income tax – hard line conservative policies. Huge supporter of capitalism and independence from the state. Female role model. In the 80s the rich got richer – the poor got poorer. Marilyn Monroe: Sex Symbol – Icon/Poster girl Sordid private life. Addiction to painkillers. People’s perceptions – Dumb blonde, Slut + promiscuous. Hounded by the media/press. Accidental overdose. Downfall. Liverpool: Stereotypes – Chav, rude, funny, unemployed, thieves, cheeky. Willy Russel is playing up to these stereotypes or he is subverting the stereotype. Unemployment/Closure of industry: Liverpool international dock is closed – 80s. Unemployment rises by at least 20%. Privatisation – public owned resources sold to private companies – factories, mills, mines and shipyards are moved or closed. Willy Russell: No Qualifications, hairdresser, working class. Big supporter of the working class. He is a feminist. Most of his literature is about the plight of working class women. Educating Rita, Our day out, Shirley Valentine. Strong female characters. Dad left home. Superstition: Origins – Witchcraft, black magic, Religion, fortune, Common sense. People it effects – Religious people, vulnerable or poor people, gullible people and anxious people.

What topics can we link our context to? Mrs Johnstone Responsibility Childhood The Narrator Love Willy Russell Class Mrs Lyons Fate Linda Marilyn Monroe Guns What topics can we link our context to? Friendship Mickey Superstition Education Sin Music/Songs Eddie Mrs Johnstone Guilt Death Thatcher Tragedy

What key moments or quotes can we link our context to? Mrs Johnstone Responsibility Childhood The Narrator Love Willy Russell Class Mrs Lyons Fate Linda Marilyn Monroe Guns What key moments or quotes can we link our context to? Friendship Mickey Superstition Education Sin Music/Songs Eddie Mrs Johnstone Guilt Death Thatcher Tragedy