Character Analysis — Supporting Characters

While Jo is the central character, the supporting characters — Helen, Geof, the Boy (Jimmy), and Peter — serve essential dramatic, thematic, and structural functions. Understanding their roles and how they relate to Jo is key to a sophisticated GCSE response.

---

Character Relationship Map

                PETER
                  |
            marries (briefly)
                  |
              HELEN ----neglect/conflict---- JO ----tenderness---- THE BOY
                                              |                     (Jimmy)
                                          cared for by
                                              |
                                            GEOF
                                         (pushed out
                                          by Helen)

---

Helen — The Neglectful Mother

Helen is Jo's mother and the play's most complex supporting character. She is simultaneously entertaining and appalling — a vibrant, funny woman who is also a terrible parent.

Helen's key qualities

Quality	Evidence
Vain	Preoccupied with her appearance and attractiveness
Self-centred	Prioritises her own relationships over Jo's welfare
Alcoholic	Drinks throughout the play; it shapes her behaviour
Witty	Sharp-tongued; Jo inherits her verbal dexterity
Neglectful	Leaves Jo to marry Peter; returns only when her own life fails
Prejudiced	Makes homophobic remarks about Geof; shocked by mixed-race baby

Helen as a mother