Hobson's Choice - Character Profile: Maggie Hobson

Act & page number

Point

Evidence

Analyse

Key Word

Act 1 – page 1

It is clear from the stage directions that Maggie is almost looked down upon and there is no physical description.

The only description is her age: “Maggie enters. She is Hobson’s eldest daughter, thirty.”

The fact that only Maggie’s age is mentioned signifies that the age of 30 is enough to describe what she looks like.

The key word is ‘thirty’ as Brinkhouse is emphasizing the difference in age between Maggie and her sisters and the point that she isn’t married despite being 30 and she may be looked down upon for this.

Act 1 – page 2

Maggie is a fairly forceful sales woman, compelling Mr Prosser to buy some boots.

Maggie says “this is a shop you know. We’re not here to let people go out without buying.”

This indicates that the business means a lot to Maggie and she works hard to ensure she can get a purchase from every customer.

The key words here are “you know” and these indicate that Mr Prosser should already know that in a shop you go to buy and not to court.

Act 1 – page 5

When Hobson is introduced it is apparent that Alice and Vickey feel a little nervous and wary of him but Maggie acts fearlessly.

Maggie hints for her father to leave and tells him that she expects ‘Mr Heeler’ is waiting in ‘Moonraker’s’.

This infuriates Hobson even more and he makes it clear that when he wants to say something he will say it no matter what.

The key word is ‘expect’ as this indicates that Maggie is unafraid of her father’s straight words to the sisters as she is hinting for her father to leave the shop.

Act 1 – Page 7

The subject of marriage comes up and Hobson appears to only address this subject to Alice and Vickey. Maggie appears to be concerned that he is leaving her future out of the conversation.

Maggie wants to know ‘where’ does she ‘come in’ and if she is able to get a husband as Hobson seems to be ‘dealing husbands round’.

From this we can see that Maggie does have a romantic streak in her and she obviously is slightly offended by Hobson leaving her out and doesn’t see why she should be treated any different than her sisters.

The key word is ‘I’ as Maggie feels it personally that she hasn’t been addressed about having a husband.

Act 1 – page 18/19

Maggie is a superior to both Willie and Ada as she has the advantage of a middle class social status.

Maggie is in control of the situation as she silences Ada by giving her no options until she tells Maggie her “idea of Willie’s future.”

Obviously Ada doesn’t have anything to offer Willie as she is lower in the working class than him and Maggie realises this and traps her into defeat as Ada admits that…