English Notes

The scene begins with an upbeat Mrs Johnstone singing a song about their new home and how happy they are. Mickey is now fourteen and we are told that he flies into a rage when she mentions girls.

The scene moves quickly to Mrs Lyons and Edward who are dancing on the stage before Edward returns to boarding school. We see how Edward is given the opportunity to go to an expensive boarding school, while Mickey is in a disadvantaged public school. 

Mrs Johnstone teases Mickey about Linda as they head off to school but Sammy shouts for them to wait for him, as he is going to collect his dole money. We see that Russell is highlighting the lack of opportunity for someone like Sammy who is already on the dole at a young age.  The upbeat nature of the scene changes when we see Sammy causing trouble on the bus pretending to be fourteen to get a cheaper fare. Mickey is worried and Sammy loses his temper, produces a knife and robs the conductor.

Linda tells Mickey that he better not get in trouble like Sammy or she won’t be in love with him anymore. Mickey gets angry at this and it is clear that is unable to express his feelings towards Linda. 

The scene moves to Edward’s boarding school and a conversation between him and a teacher. The teacher clearly doesn’t like Edward and asks him about the locket he wears around his neck. When Edward refuses to take it off, the teacher threatens to punish him and Edward replies, ‘you can take a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut! But you shall not take my locket!’ Edward is immediately suspended.

In a parallel scene, Mickey is also at school and we see the similarities between the boys as Mickey also gets suspended for giving cheek to the teacher. The differences between private and state schools are also highlighted. We also see how Linda, just like in Act 1 always stands up for Mickey and she also gets suspended. 

Mrs Lyons is shocked about Edward’s suspension and also asks about the locket and is devastated when she looks inside and sees Mrs Johnstone. She thinks that it is a picture of Edward and Mrs Johnstone but it is Mickey. Edward laughs at the suggestion that he looks like Mickey.

Mrs Lyons is shocked and upset and Edward does not know why. He casually tells her that it was just a secret, that everyone has secrets and then asks her innocently, ‘don’t you have secrets?’ This is dramatic irony because we know that Mrs Lyons is keeping a big secret from Edward. The narrator comes on to remind Mrs Lyons that the devil has her number and that her secrets can’t stay hidden forever.

This part ends with Mickey and Linda alone on stage and we see how insecure Mickey is about expressing his feelings for Linda.

1. How are things different where the Johnstones live now? Give examples.
2. Mickey has just turned fourteen. What does Mrs Johnstone say makes him ‘fly into a rage?’
3. Describe what happens on the bus on the way to school for Mickey and Linda. What influence has Sammy on the Johnstone family?
4. What differences are there between Edward and Mickey’s schools? Explain.
5. Can you see any similarities between Edward and Mickey? Explain.
6. Why is Mrs Lyons so angry when Edward tells her about the locket?
7. Do you think Linda likes Mickey? Give reasons for your answer.