In 1981 when Russell wrote the play, England was governed by a staunch Conservative government under Margaret Thatcher Up until 1969, it was common practise to institutionalise women who did not reflect an attitude in keeping with social norms The Conservative party reduced the power of trade unions (organisations that argued for better working conditions); this affected the manufacturing industry and, in turn, the working-class : You should aim to eat healthily to help with your revision. Revision food includes whole grains, nuts, berries, and even dark chocolate. Other revision food suggestions are oily fish, eggs, dark leafy greens, peanut butter, green tea, and fresh fruit. If you're trying to work out how to do well in your English Lit GCSE, get revising with Seneca for FREE!

Her desperation has huge consequences for the children: two of her sons are arrested for violent crime, suggesting Russell’s criticism of the system Many Conservatives , like Mr and Mrs Lyons in the play, disagreed with this and judged any deviation from the nuclear family negativelyMargaret Thatcher , Prime Minister at the time, famously said that hard work was the answer to success

The best place to revise is different for everyone. Some people like to revise in cafes while others prefer quieter places. Think about what the best environment is to help you focus. The most important thing when you revise is not to get distracted too often. Russell criticises patriarchal attitudes to mental health through Mrs Lyons’s mental deterioration:Take a break from your revision and do some physical exercises. It’s important to do activities that increase your heart rate so that your blood circulating faster. Scared of Edward becoming close to his biological family, Mrs Lyons convinces her husband to move the family to the countryside. Soon afterwards, the Johnstones (and Linda’s family) are rehoused by the council.

The narrator , acting as the Conservative public, asks the audience to judge Mrs Johnstone as a “heartless mother” for giving away her child Edward’s opportunities in a middle-class family lead to a secure job in the business sector, buffering him from political pressures

The best time of day to revise is in the morning. After a good night’s sleep, your brain will be well-rested and ready to learn. The children of the town sing songs about Mrs Lyons, calling her “the mad woman”, reflecting gender stigma associated with mental health Using past papers to revise has many benefits. Go through past papers to get used to the structure of the papers. You can also use past papers to practice how to phrase your answers. You can use mark schemes to learn what the examiner is looking for 😉