Edward is admirable

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

• he becomes friends with Mickey and enjoys spending time with him, despite Mickey's teasing
• he shares his sweets with Mickey
• he is loyal to Mickey when they get in trouble with the policeman
• he offers to buy Mickey cigarettes and a ticket to the cinema
• he doesn’t tell Mickey that he likes Linda because he doesn’t want to upset him
• he encourages Mickey to ask Linda out and gives him advice on how to do it
• he doesn’t want to tell Mickey he is going to university
• he offers to take both Mickey and Linda out at Christmas
• he organises a house and a job for Mickey when he comes out of jail
• he doesn’t want to move away from his friends.
• he is concerned for his mother, “Are you feeling better now, Mummy?”

Edward is not admirable

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

• Edward’s comfortable life leaves him insensitive to Mickey’s life
• he disobeys his mother when he continues playing with Mickey
• he allows Linda to dominate and taunt him when they are young
• he misunderstands Mickey’s feelings about being unemployed
• he arrogantly shows off his money and insists on celebrating
• when he returns from university he is not humble about his success and is inconsiderate of Mickey’s difficulties in life
• he betrays Mickey when he decides to pursue Linda