A Shift in the Balance of Power Between the Generations and the Sexes Throughout Hobsons Choice

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A Shift in the Balance of Power Between the Generations and the Sexes Throughout Hobsons Choice The stereotypical view of that period was that men had more power compared to women. Whether it was a father or a husband they had a more powerful status. The women were seen as the weaker sex and second class citizens this is portrayed by Jim, " a woman's foolishness begins where a mans leave's off." Women had a very homely image also. Children of this period were to be seen and not heard and faded into the background and were punished for speaking out. In 'Hobsons choice' the typical family power are carried out by Hobson and other minor roles such as Jim who says, "its steel in a mans character that subdues the women." This is a sexist comment as Jim thinks of himself as a man of the house and deals with a manly job as a greengrocer. Hobson is a fifty-five year old man who owns a boot shop in Salford. He has three daughters Maggie, Alice and Vickey. Hobson give his orders and Alice and Vickey obey him because they do not know how to win the argument with their father because they are not that well educated. Whereas Maggie is clever, mature and gives orders to Hobson. We think she comes across as a mother and wife in the house. Maggie tells Hobson "don't be late" and he is not. She cooks cleans and reminds others of times and dates. Hobson does not think Maggie runs the house but we think that if Maggie were not there Hobson would not cope. Hobson thinks of Maggie as a "proper old maid." He thinks she is "too useful to part with." As for his other two daughters Alice and Vickey. Hobson thinks there "pretty" but... ... middle of paper ... ...s across to the audience by using colloquial language and using everyday situations to make the play appeal to a wider audience. Harold Brighouse is trying to say that every person is different from another and that everyone is unique. Also in the end his trying to get the point over that everyone is equal and we all have equal rights no matter what creed, colour , line of power or any other unique elements. His main intention is to educate people that there should not be a shift in power as everyone should be equal. He relates this to today's society as people need to work hard to get power not which gender they are. Hobsons Choice 'chronicles a shift in the balance of power between the generations and sexes' (nightingale). Using quotations as appropriate, show how this occurs in the course of the play.

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