Mickey and Eddie’s relationship is challenged even at this early stage because Mickey has to defend Eddie against Sammy. When Mickey and Eddie go to Mickey’s house, and Mrs Johnstone first sees Eddie, she is shocked and their relationship is threatened as she quickly parts them from each other. This distresses Mickey and he gets very upset when they leave the presence of each other. Mickey – “Eddies my best friend mam, he lives up by the park an’ ….but I’ve done nothing”. He feels resentful he’s being punished by not being allowed to see Eddie.
The scene where Eddie comes back from university is very important because it depicts the harsh realities, which Russell is trying to show. In Act 4, Scene 2 the difference in class becomes more apparent. Eddie returns at Christmas from university while Mickey is struggling to provide a living for his family. The "brotherly bond" between them seems to have disappeared. This is because on Eddie's return, Mickey seems to just ignore him and give short, clipped answers which shows that something is wrong, "good", "ok", "come on where?". This gives the impression that Mickey is jealous of Eddie, as he has been away furthering his education and going to parties and meeting new people. When Eddie was away doing that, Mickey was looking for a job but with no success, "been walking around all day, every day, looking for a job" also Eddie has a lack of empathy because he doesn’t understand Mickey's situation As he doesn't have a job he feels he can take it out on Eddie, as he has grown up having everything he wants. What makes the situation worse is when Eddie offers Mickey money, "I've got money, lots of it". From this I think Mickey is insulted as it implies that he can't fend for himself, "NO! I don't want your money stuff it!” This is a major contrast to the beginning of the play, when Mickey didn't find Eddie offering sweets offensive because he wants to provide for himself. Furthermore Eddie tries to impress Mickey by talking in an informal way, and shows how he's changed. Eddie thinks he’s cooler now, Eddie – “I’m back, where’s the action, the booze the birds, the Christmas parties, the music and the birds?” as he has no need to worry.
Eddie asks about Mickey's previous job but has no real awareness as he himself has never had to get a job. Russell is trying to show the huge financial differences they experience and that Eddie will never have to worry. Unlike Mickey who is worried about getting a job as he has no privileges and no luxuries, he can’t afford not to worry. Eddie is care free, just like when they were infantile.
Eddie was oblivious to the world around him, and in some ways he still is. Mickey rejects the offer of money this time, because of the fury inside him, and Eddie simply doesn’t understand. Mickey thinks Eddie is still a child, Eddie has no worries or responsibilities he has more opportunities.”An’ I wish I could be as well Eddie, I wish I could believe in all that blood brother stuff. But I cant …in your shoes id be the same, id still be a kid but I’m not imp in these…” Eddie is totally unaware of how most of the population exist. Eddie says, “Why is a job so important? If I couldn’t get a job id just say, sod it and draw the dole, live like a bohemian, tilt my hat to the world and say ‘screw you’. So you’re not working. Why is it so important?” Eddie doesn’t see why Mickey is so emotional about his dreadful circumstances. Mickey wishes he was Eddie carefree, but instead he has to face up to the realities of unemployment.
Their relationship is damaged at this point and breaks down because Mickey is so emotionally hurt, he resorts to violence. Eddie Is confused and worried so turns to Linda for comfort which both need. Russell shows that if you are wealthy you have no worries and are unacquainted with the real world and its hardships. Because of his prosperity, Eddie has remained naïve.
In the last scene where Mickey and Eddies lives come to an end, Mickey is mentally unstable confesses “I’ve stopped takin the pills”. And he is confused. Ha and Eddie’s relationship has deteriorated. We reach the stage where Mickey is holding a gun at Eddie. Rage, hatred, and revulsion are mixed up in Mickey's mind as Mickey feels that Eddie has taken over his life, Mickey says, “does my child belong to you as well as everything’ else? Does she? Eddie does she?” Russell is trying to show that if you’re wealthy you aren’t going to be happy unless you have something to keep you going, he needs an achievable goal in life, Mrs Johnstone had her children, but Mickey only has his pills to keep him going. He has no hope of a job because of his criminal record, or his own home. He is terrified that Linda will leave him.
In conclusion Russell is trying to portray that your situation depends entirely on the way you’re brought up. According to Russell it depends on nurture; the child that was given away got the better life, it wouldn’t have mattered which one was given away. As Eddie had the experience of a wealthy family he got the best opportunities in life. Mickey has to struggle with reality of being underprivileged, hence the unfairness of living in Britain.