By Close Examination of the Text show how and explain why Willie Mossop changes during the course of Act One
Throughout this novel lowly boot-maker Willie Mossop grows and matures before the readers eyes. This is brought on by a newfound confidence brought out by Maggie. Maggie is the integral factor in Willies sudden change. The audience first perceives Willie as a man of great handiwork with no ambition that commands very little stage presence, on first meeting we can clearly see his naivety towards working life and we soon see him develop a metaphorical backbone. We know he has had no training at his handiwork as he clearly states ‘I had no other teacher’, and by ‘other teacher’ he means apart from Hobson. Hobson poorly makes Hobson’s other boots in the shop, himself, Hobson knows that if Willie were to leave the shop, his business would begin to slowly wane as he knew he could never replace Willie. Maggie is the dominant character in the play; the focus of events and most of the scenes revolve around her. She does not really change much during the play we just discover hidden aspects of her character. Willie is more important because his character develops as a person and grows in stature. The audience watches his journey from the beginning of the play to the end and see him transformed from the lowest character, in terms of social standing and position in life, to someone who is at the top. His journey of self-improvement is the main theme of the play. Through hard work, determination and ambition he makes a better life for himself and Maggie, and moves up in the world. Maggie is important because she moves the plot along by her actions: Her character does not undergo the transformation that Willie does.
