How do you think the audience at the first London Performance of 'Hobson's Choice' in 1916 would have reacted to the Development of Will Mossop?

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Bryony Hughes 10 RSW                                       English Coursework

         

                How do you think the audience at the first London

    Performance of 'Hobson's Choice' in 1916 would have reacted to the

                           Development of Will Mossop?

  In 1916, life was very different to how it is today. Status was a very important thing and people were very conscious of the reputation of their family name. The classes were very divided. For example, the people in lower class were treated with very little respect, however people in upper class were given respect by all classes. 'Hobson's Choice' is a comedy based around the battle of wills between Hobson, a hard-headed, domineering cobbler and his daughter Maggie, who defies him by marrying his most talented but timid and downtrodden worker, Will Mossop. She helps Will to develop his potential and together they turn the tables on Hobson himself.

  At the beginning of the play, we see that Hobson does not treat Will with a lot of respect and the difference between their classes is made very obvious. The way all of Hobson's workers are treated is of a very low standard. ' In the centre of the stage is a trap leading to the cellar where work is done.' This is where Will and all the other workers work, nobody ever goes down this trap, workers are always called up from it which signifies how little they are thought of. The change in Will's treatment changes when working class customer Mrs Hepworth recognises Will's talent for making the best shoes around. She compliments him, which he is obviously very unused to, and very surprised that she is so satisfied with his work. Hobson is very taken aback by this and tries to take all responsibility for Will's work. ' I am responsible for all work turned out here.' Here is where we start to see Maggie take an interest in Will. ' I suppose he deserved it.' Here is also where we start to see Hobson develop some form of jealousy of Will's compliment. 'Deserved be blowed! Making them uppish.' Hobson is very proud of his reputation and does not want anything to jeopardise that. 'I'm a decent minded man. I'm Hobson. I'm British middle class and proud of it.'

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  Maggie is the oldest oh Hobson's three daughters and the most independent. A conversation develops between the four of them about marriage and Hobson seems to find the prospect of Maggie with a husband a hilarious thing. 'Well that’s a good one! (Laughs) you with a husband!' She however seems to take this quite personally and sets out to prove Hobson wrong by finding herself her own husband. She takes an interest in Willie. She tells Willie that she would like to marry him and open there own business together. Willie is very surprised by this, 'Partnership! Oh that's ...

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