Throughout the play Hobson is portrayed as a character who wants to be dominant, from as early as act one Hobson can be seen addressing his daughters so called “uppishness”. “I’m talking now, and your listening….Girls grow bumptious, and must have someone to rule, but I tell you this, you’ll none rule me.” This shows that Hobson thinks he understands his daughters actions, and thinks that their actions are normal, but the reality is that his daughters are tired of Hobson’s way’s , and want Hobson to allow them some independence.
Hobson is portrayed as his daughters oppressor in the way that he describes the way that Alice and Vickey dress (who are avid followers of fashion).”It’s immodest”. “To hell with the fashion”. Hobson shows a lack of understanding or care for his daughters feelings and is clearly not worried about offending them. Hobson’s lack of warmth and inability to empathize contributes towards his downfall.
Despite Hobson’s many imperfections, he still remains in control of his daughters, that is until, Maggie sets her mind of marrying Hobson’s most skilled worker, the working class, uneducated, son of a “workhouse brat” ; Willie Mosses. Hobson initially Laugh’s at the idea of marriage claiming that he will choose who his daughters marry. ”Didn’t you hear me say that I’m doing the choosing when it comes to husbands?” The fact that Maggie goes on to Marry Will demonstrates the eventual shift of power in the play. Brighouse is very clever when choosing Hobson’s words, rather than having Hobson disagree with the idea in an ordinary way; he demonstrates Hobson’s arrogance by having Hobson’s question Maggie’s ability to listen.
Hobson’s actions in act three cause the reader to feel a strong feeling of irony when Hobson is diagnosed with alcoholism towards the end of act four. In the middle of act three Hobson can be found warning his daughters never to come home.” Don’t you imagine thereby be room for you when you come home crying and tired of your fine husbands. I’m Rid of ye and it’s a lasting riddance.”
In conclusion, the main cause for Hobson’s loss of control was That Hobson underestimated his Daughters, Particularly Maggie. Throughout the play Brighouse uses Hobson a representation of a middle class and proud stereotype. Hobson’s loss o control is underlined at the end of the play when he is forced to give will half of his shop and agrees to have no say in the shop’s affairs. Brighouse uses irony in the form of the “Son of a workhouse brat” Will mossop.
