Hobson's Choice: Characters

Key Characters in Hobson's Choice

1. Maggie Hobson
2. Willie Mossop
3. Henry Hobson
4. Alice Hobson
5. Vickey Hobson
6. Jim Heeler
7. Mrs Hepworth
8. Ada Figgins

Maggie Hobson

Quote: "I'm taking charge of you, Willie Mossop. You're going to make a man of yourself."

Analysis: Maggie is portrayed as a strong-willed, determined, and resourceful woman. This quote highlights her confidence and ability to take control, not only of her own life but also of others'. She defies traditional gender roles by asserting her independence and driving her future husband, Willie, to rise above his humble beginnings.

Quote: "You'll be a somebody when I've done with you."

Analysis: Maggie's vision and ambition drive the play's central theme of self-improvement and social mobility. Her confidence in Willie's potential reflects her intelligence and determination to build a better life for herself and those she cares about, challenging the patriarchal norms of her time.

Willie Mossop

Quote: "I'm not ambitious that way."

Analysis: Initially, Willie is timid, uneducated, and lacks ambition. This quote illustrates his humble beginnings and reluctance to step outside his comfort zone. However, throughout the play, Willie's transformation under Maggie's guidance becomes a central focus, symbolising personal growth and social mobility.

Quote: "I'll have no mercy on you, Maggie Hobson, if you try me too high."

Analysis: By the end of the play, Willie gains confidence and asserts his independence, even standing up to Maggie. This shift in his character demonstrates his evolution into a strong and self-assured individual, capable of leading both his business and personal life.

Henry Hobson

Quote: "You're pretty hard on a man, Maggie."

Analysis: Hobson is portrayed as a stubborn, traditional, and often self-absorbed patriarch. This quote reveals his inability to adapt to changing times and the challenge Maggie's assertiveness poses to his authority. His character symbolises outdated Victorian values.

Quote: "The rebellious females of this house."

Analysis: Hobson's disdain for his daughters' independence reflects his patriarchal mindset. This quote highlights his struggle to maintain control over his family and his eventual downfall due to his unwillingness to respect their autonomy.

Alice Hobson

Quote: "It's bad enough to have you bringing disgrace on us without your pasting it into the papers."

Analysis: Alice is concerned with appearances and social respectability, often clashing with Maggie's pragmatic approach. Her character embodies the anxieties of maintaining social status in a rigidly class-conscious society.

Quote: "You've been managing Willie Mossop till he's forgotten he's a man at all."

Analysis: Alice's comment reflects her misunderstanding of Maggie's methods. While critical of Maggie's dominance, Alice fails to recognise how Maggie empowers Willie, contrasting with her own focus on superficial respectability.

Vickey Hobson

Quote: "We're not here to help ourselves. We're here to see Father through."

Analysis: Vickey represents another side of the Hobson sisters, balancing her loyalty to the family with a desire for personal freedom. This quote highlights her pragmatic nature and sense of duty, though she, like Alice, often prioritises appearances.

Quote: "There's no sentiment about Maggie."

Analysis: Vickey's comment underscores the practical, no-nonsense approach Maggie takes to life and business. It also reflects the contrast between Vickey's more conventional attitudes and Maggie's modern, independent mindset.

Jim Heeler

Quote: "Get your daughters married. That's the only way of getting rid of the lot of them."

Analysis: Jim Heeler represents the traditional, male-dominated perspective of Victorian society. His advice to Hobson reflects the societal expectation that women should be married off as a means of managing them, reinforcing the gender norms Maggie ultimately challenges.

Quote: "You've got a way with women, Henry, but it's time you were married yourself."

Analysis: Jim's comment is laced with irony, as Hobson's reluctance to give up control over his daughters ultimately leads to his downfall. Jim's advice underscores the tension between tradition and change in the play.

Mrs Hepworth

Quote: "These are the best-made pair of boots I've ever had."

Analysis: Mrs Hepworth's praise for Willie's craftsmanship is pivotal in establishing his potential as a shoemaker. Her endorsement gives him the confidence and credibility to rise in his profession, paving the way for his partnership with Maggie.

Quote: "If you've the good sense to stick to her, you'll both go far."

Analysis: Mrs Hepworth recognises Maggie's intelligence and leadership early on, positioning her as a figure of authority and a driving force behind Willie's success. This highlights her role as a catalyst for the couple's upward mobility.

Ada Figgins

Quote: "I'll tell my mother on you, Willie Mossop!"

Analysis: Ada represents the traditional working-class expectations of marriage, offering a stark contrast to Maggie's assertiveness and ambition. This quote reflects her lack of agency and reliance on others to fight her battles.

Quote: "I'll not be made nothing of, Willie Mossop."

Analysis: Ada's reaction to Maggie's dominance highlights the class and gender dynamics in the play. While she resists Maggie's control, she lacks the strength or vision to stand up for herself effectively.