Character Analysis — Mickey & Eddie

Mickey and Eddie are the central characters of Blood Brothers. They are twin brothers separated at birth — genetically identical but raised in completely different class environments. Russell uses them to dramatise his central argument: that class, not nature, determines life outcomes.

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Mickey Johnstone

Overview

Aspect	Detail
Full name	Mickey Johnstone
Class	Working class
Mother	Mrs Johnstone (biological mother)
Key relationships	Eddie (blood brother/twin), Linda (wife), Sammy (brother)
Arc	Energetic child → frustrated teenager → despairing adult

Mickey as a Child (Age 7)

At seven, Mickey is lively, cheeky, and streetwise. He uses rough language, plays in the streets, and has a boldness born of necessity.

"I'm not playin' now cos I'm pissed off"

Mickey's childhood dialogue is full of working-class slang and bravado. He swears casually — not out of malice, but because this is the language of his environment. Eddie, by contrast, finds these words thrilling and exotic.