Hobson's Choice: A Lancashire Comedy in Four Acts

by Harold Brighouse

"Hobson's Choice: A Lancashire Comedy in Four Acts" by Harold Brighouse is a play written during the early 20th century, set in 1880s Lancashire. The narrative revolves around the central character, Maggie Hobson, the strong-willed eldest daughter of a boot shop owner, Henry Horatio Hobson. The play explores themes of social class, family dynamics, and women's independence as Maggie seeks to assert her will against her father's outdated views and strives to forge her own path in life. The opening of the play introduces the bustling interior of Hobson's boot shop, where Maggie and her sisters manage the business while dealing with their father’s domineering personality. The dialogue establishes the humorous yet contentious relationship within the Hobson family, particularly the clash between Maggie and her father, who believes he should choose husbands for his daughters. As Maggie takes charge, her intention to marry Will Mossop, a humble bootmaker, sets the stage for conflicts over class and the expectations of women of the era. The scene portrays Maggie's determination to break free from patriarchal constraints, hinting at her influence and the evolving socio-economic landscape of the time.