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Hobson's Choice: themes and context
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Brighouse wrote the play in 1915, during the First World War, but set it in 1880. The gap lets him look at changing roles for women and for workers.
The title
A 'Hobson's choice' is a free choice in which only one option is really offered: take it or leave it.
By the end, Hobson is the one with no real choice but to accept Maggie and Willie's terms.
By the end, Hobson is the one with no real choice but to accept Maggie and Willie's terms.
Key themes
Gender roles: Maggie challenges the idea that women must obey their fathers.
Class and social mobility: Willie rises from cellar worker to business owner.
Marriage: for status, convenience or partnership.
Pride and alcohol: Hobson's drinking leads to his fall.
Class and social mobility: Willie rises from cellar worker to business owner.
Marriage: for status, convenience or partnership.
Pride and alcohol: Hobson's drinking leads to his fall.
Context
Brighouse was one of the 'Manchester School' of playwrights writing about ordinary northern life.
The play was written while women were campaigning for the vote; audiences could compare Maggie's independence with Victorian expectations.
In 1880 a father had great authority over his household.
The play was written while women were campaigning for the vote; audiences could compare Maggie's independence with Victorian expectations.
In 1880 a father had great authority over his household.
Why might Brighouse have set the play in 1880 rather than 1915?
- In 1880 women had fewer rights and fathers held more power.
- By 1915 women were campaigning for the vote.
- The gap lets audiences see how far attitudes had already changed.
Answer: To show the strict Victorian world his audience was moving away from, making Maggie seem ahead of her time.
Hobson's choice means no real choice. Themes: gender roles, class and social mobility, marriage, pride and drink. Written 1915, set 1880, Manchester School.
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