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Edward is admirable

You could include some of the following points in your essay.

The events in the extract, Mickey:

• lack of confidence means he distrusts Edward and Linda
• resents the fact that Edward got him his job and calls him “Councillor Eddie Lyons”
• takes his tablets from Linda’s bag in desperation and leaves
• hammers on door calling for Linda as he did as a child, indicating his mental instability
• takes gun, possibly intending to do harm

The events in the extract, Linda:

• she pressurises Mickey by demanding that he recognise her needs
• she gives in to Mickey about the tablets so it could be argued that she is culpable in his disintegration
• she seeks comfort with Edward, betraying Mickey
• her relationship with Edward pushes Mickey into greater mental instability and it could be argued that she is to blame for Mickey’s disintegration and his urge to seek revenge on Edward

The events in the extract, Mrs Johnstone:

• in her song she tries to understand Linda and Edward’s affair, seeking to lighten the possible impact of their behaviour, a reflection of her optimistic, indulgent personality and attitude

The events in the extract, Edward:

• he flirts with Linda and then kisses her, betraying his friend Mickey who he knows has difficulties

The events in the extract, Mrs Lyons:

• she makes Mickey aware of the affair of Linda and Edward

Elsewhere in the play:

• the mothers conspire to separate the twins, which leads to the catastrophe
• the Narrator’s song - “There’s a man gone mad” - shows Mickey as mentally unhinged
• Mrs Johnstone is unable to provide the means for Mickey to succeed in life
• Mrs Lyons continuously seeks to break the friendship of the twins
• class difference between Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Lyons leads to the breakdown of the friendship between the twins and creates animosity
• Mrs Johnstone is ineffectual in preventing misfortune for Mickey
• Mrs Lyons becomes mentally unhinged about losing Edward’s love, leading up to deliberately making Mickey aware of Edward and Linda’s indiscretion
• Mickey is confused at the Town Hall – he doesn’t know if the gun is loaded
• Mickey points the gun at Edward, even if he didn’t intend to shoot

Who you think is most to blame for the deaths of the twins?

This is your personal opinion backed up with quotations and examples from the play – there can be a range of answers and you may choose one or more of the following:

• Linda and her affair with Edward carry much responsibility for the deaths of the twins
• Mickey is not to blame for the deaths - this is down to fate, his lack of advantages in life, class difference and his mental condition at the time of the deaths (a mental instability brought about by a range of misfortunes and the actions of others)
• Mickey is to blame – he is the author of his own misfortunes and is particularly to blame
• Mrs Johnstone is to blame for Mickey’s misfortunes in life and can therefore be held responsible for this death