Is David Lean’s adaptation of Hobson’s Choice a good performance of the play? Comment on individual performances as well as the production as a whole.
Is David Lean's adaptation of Hobson's Choice a good performance of the play? Comment on individual performances as well as the production as a whole. From the sexist, coarse proprietor of Hobson's Boot Shop to the forthright, ambitious and "uppish" Maggie, Lean has, with the aid of some fantastic casting, excellently captured the unique characteristics of each character: the drunken pompousness of Henry Horatio Hobson, the cold sternness of "old maid" Maggie Hobson, the childlike innocence of Willie Mossop. The adaptation follows the play almost word for word, as well as the occasional addition by producer, director and screenwriter Lean. Charles Laughton, John Mills and Brenda de Banzie (as Hobson, Maggie and Willie) all give outstanding performances, portraying their characters perfectly. When reading the play, images are conjured up in the mind, and these images seem to have been projected onto the Silver Screen in the form of Laughton, Mills and de Banzie. Even the minor roles in the play (such as Jack Howarth's Tubby Wadlow, or John Laurie's Dr MacFarlane) contribute towards the overall gleam of this superb production. The part of the "crusty old curmudgeon" Hobson (according to the Baseline Motion Picture Guide) is played wonderfully by Charles Laughton, at the peak of his prowess as an actor. Laughton gives a marvellously hierophantic performance as the bitter boot
In my opinion the play Hobsons Choice shows that women are as good as men but because of the sexist views of men in the 19th century disabled them from accomplishing their dreams.
Women of the 19th century did not have the same rights as men. The patriarchal societies in that century meant that women had to face unequal rights. The women portrayed in 'Hobson's Choice' paint a totally different picture. The women are more in control of their situations. They are called 'bumptious' by their male counterparts meaning self-assertive. Women were expected to housewife and to raise children. If women stepped out of line they would punished, even physically sometimes. The 'Hobson's Choice' play is set in Salford in Manchester in a 19th century Victorian era. Mr Hobson a middle class man runs a shoe shop. He is shown as a pompous man that drinks away most of the profit at the local pub. His eldest daughter Maggie however is known to be very pushy as seen in act one where she forces Mr Albert Prosser; a man who has been courting her sister, to buy some shoes 'This is a shop you know. We're not here to let people go without buying' Act one It is very unlikely that Mr Prosser did not know that it was a shop rather Maggie is showing irony by reminding him that the shop is there to sell things not to be walked in and out. Also she shows that she has more control over the situation because she pushes Mr Albert back into a seat '(pushing him): Sit down, Mr Prosser. You can't go through the streets in odd boots.' Act one Women did not push around men in
Compare The Character And Behaviour of Will Mossop In Act 1 and 4
Compare The Character And Behaviour of Will Mossop In Act 1 and 4 This essay is an in depth analysis of how Will Mossop changes throughout the course of the play. We first meet Will in Act 1 on page 9. Mrs Hepworth has recently bought an exceptionally well-made pair of boots from the shop and wishes to meet the man who made them, Will Mossop. However, she doesn't tell the reason behind her visit and he believes that it is to scold Mossop about a badly made pair of boots. Upon coming 'up trap', Mrs Hepworth produces a visiting card. Hobson still believes that this is to be a dressing down for Mossop and tries to get ahead of the game by saying, 'I assure you it shall not happen again.' Realising that Hobson is trying to look good and enhance his reputation, Mrs Hepworth puts him in his place by asking him what will not happen again. Unable to answer, he mumbles something and is embarrassed. With that Mrs Hepworth says, "I've tried every shop in Manchester and these boots are the best-made pair of boots I've ever had. Now you'll make my boots in future.' Throughout this passage Will Mossop doesn't say a dozen words and is very timid. Our first view of the man is that he is a quiet, shy man and to a certain extent, finds it embarrassing to accept praise. I also get the feeling that because he is a typical working-class man he feels inferior to the Hobson family and
Hobson's Choice' by Harold Brighouse struck me initially as a well constructed play with a plot that was skilfully unravelled for us by the characters that Brighouse introduced. Each character had a role
Literature Unit By Zac Southwood Hobson's Choice 'Hobson's Choice' by Harold Brighouse struck me initially as a well constructed play with a plot that was skilfully unravelled for us by the characters that Brighouse introduced. Each character had a role to play in bringing the plot of the play to a conclusion. The pace of the comedy was maintained throughout and was therefore easy to follow and enjoyable. On closer inspection it is possible to identify the subtlety and craftsmanship of the playwright. In order to fully appreciate Brighouse's work it is necessary to understand the social and historical setting of the play and the audience for whom it was written at the time. In the introduction of the edition we used by Charles Wood we are given an insight to Brighouse. We learn that Brighouse was a literary leader and artistic writer who was very aware of the tradition he was working in. The play is set in the late Victorian era where opportunities for self-advancement due to the industrial revolution had altered societies perception of class and a substantial middle class had evolved. Within this brave new world society was changing and people were unsure of their place in it. Furthermore when the play was first produced in 1916 the suffragette movement was very much a topic of the day and a strong character like Maggie would still be seen as challenging the values of the
Compare and Contrast "Hobson's Choice" with "Still life at the Penguin Caf".
Compare and Contrast "Hobson's Choice" with "Still life at the Penguin Café". David Bintley choreographed 'Hobson's choice' in 1989. It is set in Salford in the 1880s and it tells the story of a boot maker, Henry Hobson, and the unlikely marriage of his eldest daughter Maggie to a poor boot maker, Will Mossop. It is a narrative ballet and is purely for entertainment. 'Still Life at the Penguin Café' was also choreographed by David Bintley. Instead of telling a story, it shows snapshot images of extinct and endangered animal species. There are a number of symbolic and moral themes to it. These include the use of hybrid animals to make the audience realise that it is humans that are to blame for endangering these species. It was choreographed not only for entertainment, but also to encourage the audience to think about their moral values and the way they think of the world. Both ballets have very different structures. 'Hobson's Choice' is a 3 act narrative dance, whereas 'Still Life at the Penguin Cafe' is split in to 8 small sections each focussing on a different animal. This is because of their very different purposes. 'Hobson's Choice' tells a story and the three acts show scene changes and progressions in the story. However, the sections in 'Still Life at the Penguin Cafe' are not directly related, as it is not telling a story. The different sections
Discuss the characters of Maggie and Hobson in their dramatic context. Comment on how they illustrate and highlight the social context of the Victorian era and the effect on the modern audience.
Drama coursework: Discuss the characters of Maggie and Hobson in their dramatic context. Comment on how they illustrate and highlight the social context of the Victorian era and the effect on the modern audience. Maggie and Hobson, the two main protagonists of the play when viewed in their social, moral and historic contexts act as the fulcrum for the play's humour. Brighouse's entertaining play was set in a bootshop in Salford. At that time in Victorian society there were many divisions amongst contrasting groups of people. The Victorians had strong beliefs and values, which are somewhat different to today's modern issues. Middle and upper class Victorian women valued the whole ritual of courting, fine extravagant weddings and a well thought of husband- in business not trade. A single woman was considered of little importance in harsh Victorian society, being thought to be inferior to a man. In addition Victorians held rigid beliefs and opinions on racism and the British Empire. Status in the Victorian culture was very important and the lines between these classes were rarely crossed. Brighouse's purpose in writing the play was to highlight gender issues, provide comedy incidents and focus on social problems, for example the Victorian's attitude to alcohol. Brighouse created Hobson's character to convey the stereotypical middle class family man, whilst introducing humour
Malachi's Cove and Flight, are about two young ladies growing up but in different times and places. Both asserting their independence and developing relationships with young men. Malachi's Cove is set in mid-nineteenth century and Flight in the 1950s.
Wide Reading: GSCE Coursework Both of the stories, Malachi's Cove and Flight, are about two young ladies growing up but in different times and places. Both asserting their independence and developing relationships with young men. Malachi's Cove is set in mid-nineteenth century and Flight in the 1950s. The authors' outlook on these stories express many differences. Anthony Trollope (Malachi's Cove) was a male author, he wrote his story when women were expected to find satisfaction in getting married to a man whom might not love and having their children. This left them dependent on men. This of course was in the Victorian period. Doris Lessing wrote her story when women like herself were becoming incredibly frustrated by the restrictions if their familial responsibilities. One of Doris Lessing's best-known novels The Golden Notebook (1962) was esteemed as an important manifestation of feminist ideas. Doris may have been showing her views from when she was younger when she went to a Catholic convent school but then left at the age of 14. She also joined the Communist party in 1949. This may explain the reason why she wrote this story, to express her beliefs on women's rights and feelings. At the time Trollope wrote his story women were expected to take certain duties onboard. He's written about a girl who is going against all of the ideals of Victorian women. A
Hobson's Choice Coursework- How does Will, with Maggie's help, develop into the most confident character in the play?
Hobson's Choice Coursework- How does Will, with Maggie's help, develop into the most confident character in the play? Hobson's Choice, a play by Harold Brighouse is set in the 1800s, in the Victorian era. The main characters, the Hobsons, portray the typical Victorian family, where the male is the head figure of the family home. The head figure of this particular family is Henry Hobson, father of three daughters: Alice (23), Vickey (21) and Maggie (30). Hobson's character is a drunken old fellow who strongly believes that women should be seen and not heard. The three daughters, especially Maggie, are quite tired of being treated this way and decide they want to marry. The play mainly focuses of Maggie's marriage to William Mossop, a boot hand in her father's shop that the daughters themselves run. The plot is spread around about a year, during which time many changes can take place. In this case, I am going to discuss how Will changes over that year and develops, with Maggie's help, into the most confident character in the play. Act One is set in the Hobson's shoe shop. Albert Prosser, who has come to see Alice, enters the shop to be greeted by disappointment when Alice tells him that Hobson has not yet left the house. He moves to leave but this is when Maggie stops him and we get to know a bit more about her personality. Maggie is quite pushy ("And now you'll have boots
Discuss the character of Willie Mossop in "Hobson's Choice". What advice would you give to an actor playing Willie's role in a stage production of the play?
DISCUSS THE CHARACTER OF WILLIE MOSSOP IN "HOBSON'S CHOICE". WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO AN ACTOR PLAYING WILLIE'S ROLE IN A STAGE PRODUCTION OF THE PLAY? Harold Brighouse wrote "Hobson's Choice". Mr. Brighouse was born in Lancashire 1882. Harold Brighouse wrote a lot of plays featuring Lancashire. Harold was a very clever in school but wasn't interested in going to University. Mr. Brighouse was brought up happily in middle-class family. Mr. Brighouse's father was called by the name of John Brighouse. Mr. Brighouse was a Theatergoer. He went to local theatres. When went on holiday to London he found a whole different world. Mr. Brighouse returned and quitted his job in the office to become a full time play writer. Mr. Brighouse and some local people formed a group called Manchester School of Dramatists. Manchester School of Dramatists wrote about ordinary people and their lives. The newly formed group changed the art of plays. During 1800-1900 plays were mainly about the rich and popular. Manchester School of Dramatists changed play writing and involved the poor and ordinary. In 1914 the play industry halted because of the outbreak of World War One, which lasted for four years. At the start of World War One Mr. Brighouse was in France. He was forced to leave France and return home. At this point Mr. Brighouse really started to concentrate on writing his plays. When
By a close analysis of the language used, how the author reveals the Character and role of Maggie In act 1 of Hobson's choice.
By a close analysis of the language used, Demonstrate how the author reveals the Character and role of Maggie In act 1 of Hobson's choice. Set in Salford, Manchester during Victorian times, the film tells the story of obstinate boot-shop owner Henry Hobson. Hobson dominates both his employees and his three daughters, only bothering to enquire about his meals before heading to the local public house for ale. His eldest daughter Maggie, becomes tired of his uncivilized behavior and decides to rebel by seeking a husband. Much to the hilarity and concern of her father, Maggie sets her sights on shy Will Mossop, Hobson's master boot-maker. Mossop is at first stunned by the suggestion, but eventually agrees to Maggie's convincing persuasion, and together they set up a rival boot shop. Maggie marries Will, and then decides to free her two sisters from their father's harsh grip, and allow them to take husbands of their own choosing. Hobson's health deteriorates and his business begins to decline without his accomplished boot-maker, Hobson is finally compelled to agree a merger with his daughter and Will. At the time the play was set in, the class system was used and consisted of lower middle and higher class, Hobson is of a high-medium class while Willie is of lower class. My first impressions of Maggie were that she is a very powerful, successful business woman who always