Educating Rita Essay

Educating Rita Essay
Analysis of Educating Rita
Scenes 7 and 8 are the two last scenes in Act1. Seeing as it is only a two act play, this is a good
point to reflect on how Rita and Frank's relationship has changed and developed since the
beginning, both as teacher and student and on a more personal level. In scene 7 Rita and Frank
talk about why Rita did not show up for Frank's dinner party and Rita explains how she was
seriously thinking of going back to her old way of life. In Scene 8 we find that Rita has chosen
her new life over Denny and has packed her bags and left him. Rita is now more desperate than
ever to learn and change herself but Frank is not sure he wants to teach her because he likes her the
way she is....show more content...
The real reason she didn't go is because she didn't feel she would fit in with everyone else and she
thought everyone would laugh at her. "Me? What's me? Some stupid woman who gives us all a
laugh because she thinks she can learn, because she thinks that one day she'll be like the rest of
them, talking seriously, confidently with knowledge, livin' a civilised life." This passage shows
just how low her self esteem is, she is still not very confident. She thought she wouldn't know how
to act, what to say, what to wear and what to bring. Frank said that he wanted her to come and be
herself saying they would have thought she was funny, delightful and charming, and when Rita
suggests that Frank only invited her so they could all have a laugh Frank got very offended. "If
you believe that that is why you were invited, to be laughed at, than you can get out, now." Frank
reacts like this because he is hurt that she would even think in that way, he truly did invite her just
to have the pleasure of her company and the fact that she can't see that annoys him. Frank likes Rita
the way she is and wouldn't have wanted her to act in a superficial way. However Rita is desperate
to change herself, the same part which Frank likes so much. This shows the start of the breaking
point in their relationship. Frank
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Who Is Rita Russell's Educating Rita
Educating Rita The play Educating Rita, only has two characters, Frank and Rita, Rita wants to
learn literacy, and Frank is her tutor. The play is set in the 1970's, when there was not a lot of
unemployment, and there was plenty of money. Although Rita has everything she needs, she is
dis–satisfied with her life, she wants something more. Rita feels that there is no meaning to life,
and she wants to find one. The characters Rita and Frank are two totally different people, Rita is
uneducated and common, whereas Frank is educated and well spoken. I found the play has no
specific genre, I found it came under realist, with the issues it covers like divorce, I found it came
under comedy, because it made you laugh in places,...show more content...
"If your trying to induce some feeling of guilt in me" This shows that they may not get on too
well, so Franks girlfriend is trying to make him feel guilty because he cant make it home for
dinner, but she didn't succeed very well. This prepares us for his relationship with Rita by
showing us that he may just not get on too well with women, so therefore he may not get on too
well with Rita. Or it may mean that he is soon going to be single and available. When Rita comes
into the play she has a problem opening Franks door. This could be symbolic because it shows
that there is a problem between them, and there may be problems between them later on. When
she finally manages to open the door she reacts as if Frank is stupid by not getting it fixed. "Ya
wanna get that fixed!" this says to the audience that maybe Rita is a bit annoyed by the fact she
couldn't open the door and get in, it may show she is a bit impatient aswell. Or that she likes to
joke around a lot. You can see the difference in their literary tastes by the way Rita reacts to
Howard's end. "It sounds filthy doesn't it?" (She is referring to the title 'of human bondage') This
shows that she has a rude sense of humour and that she doesn't really understand what the title
means. And it also shows that there might be a lot Rita doesn't understand later on in the play. You
can also see the difference in their tastes when Rita starts discussing a poet she'd read

Educating Rita
1. When we are first introduced to Rita she is a hairdresser. How would you define her in terms of
her social class? Support your ideas with examples from the film and elsewhere e.g. the most recent
classification system used to define social class. (P2)
I would define her in terms of her social class as a snobby person.
She fits in a working class D, the way she speaks (language) is different the type of clothes she
wears is different, she wears mini skirts. The environment Rita lives in is run down and dirty there
is no front garden and no green space.
2. In details discuss how physical, social and economic factors have combined to affect Rita's
personal development and self–concept and...show more content...
Socially Rita gets to know other students and starts to get involved in their conversations and she
build in confident and her language starts to improve and she think before she speaks and makes
sense in what she is saying.
Economically Rita does not have a good house to live in. the house she lives in is not as well
decorated and her husband Denny is breaking down the wall to make two rooms into one. The
environment she lived in was polluted and there was a factory nearby. She lived in a terraced
house in a city area and they were probably buying that house or probably had a mortgage. There
were no green spaces nearby. It was packed with houses and factories and there was only one corner
shop.
4. Rita is married at the beginning of the film. What expectations does her husband, Danny, have of
Rita as a wife? What other pressure, social and economic might affect marriages in general. (P2)
The expectation that Danny haves of Rita are that he wants to have a baby but Rita doesn't. He
demands her to listen to him and when she didn't Danny throw her essay in the fire. Danny doesn't
want Rita to change and be different from him. If they did have children they would struggle with
the needs of the child because they don't have enough income coming in because Danny is a builder
and Rita is a hairdresser.
Rita's husband has done something that he has no right to do because
Rita has her right to educate herself and

Educating Rita
ducating rita
How does Willy Russell show change in the main character in Educating Rita? Educating Rita is a
drama which was first published as a play in 1983, written by Willy Russell; subsequently, it was
made into a film which quickly became a box–office hit. The play consists of a particular theme
(education) and it explores the processes that inflict change upon the main character Rita. The
content of the storyline was considered to be quite controversial and diverse for it's time in that
particular society. The Conservative party was presently in power and Margaret Thatcher was
elected Prime Minister
(The first ever female in English History to be appointed that particular position); Many people had
varying opinions of...show more content...
At the beginning of the play, we see her wearing a bright pink skirt partnered by a girly blue shirt.
These bold colours make her stand out from the crowd, but in the wrong way; her choice of
clothing makes her look a bit childish and playful. This makes the audience doubt her aspirations to
become educated. On returning from Summer School in France, Rita's appearance, once again, has
noticeably changed; she now looks like a proper student. Willy Russell puts Rita's character in more
neutral colours to exemplify and indicate the transformations she experiences. After this stage in the
play, she continues to sail through a sea of change. On her results day we see her in a smart, formal
outfit which looked more neat and presentable. In this particular scene, the audience notice the
overall change in Rita. She even adjusts her statement blonde hair to transform her image
completely. In order to produce an engaging effect on the audience during the play, Willy Russell
involves certain stagecraft techniques which spark a reaction; these clever techniques make the play
a lot more intriguing and they assist in indicating even the smallest changes to Rita's character. Some
of these techniques include: stage directions (positions for the actors, as well as the actions they will
need to adopt), the intentional use of colour (to reflect the characters moods), the use of sound (to
create an atmosphere) and varied use of lighting (in order to capture the

The Humour in Educating Rita Essays
The Humour in Educating Rita
'Educating Rita' is a humorous play that was written by Willy Russell in 1979, based on his own
life. It is set in Liverpool and depicts the perseverance of a working class, 26–year–old hairdresser
with no qualifications called Susan, or as she is called throughout the play,
'Rita', as she tries to 'discover herself' by participating in an
English literature course at the Open University. Her lecturer, who is from a more middle class
background, Frank, is somewhat of an unorthodox one; he is frequently found to be drunk and,
during one lecture, he is so drunk that he falls off of the rostrum in the hall!
This erratic behaviour leads to him being sent to Australia for two years. In this essay, I am...show
more content...
Another instance of comedy of character is apparent in the first scene. Rita says:
"Well that's no good always meanin' to, is it? Y' should get on with it; one of these days you'll be
shoutin' 'come in' an' it'll go on forever because the poor sod on the other side won't be able to get
in." The actor playing Frank would have to portray annoyed feelings towards
Rita as she is saying this in a sarcastic manner towards him. The audience would find this particularly
humorous, as the character's personalities are completely different; Frank being rather professional
and Rita being an amateurish student.
The second aspect that creates humour for the audience is that of the comedy created from a
certain situation, this is where an event occurs in a place that you would not expect it to. An
example of this is in act two, scene three when we are told that Frank was teaching a class, clearly
under the under the influence of alcohol, resulting in him falling off of the rostrum. Although we
don't actually see Frank fall off in the play, Russell uses imagery to create a picture of Frank and his
drunken antics in the audience's mind. We learn of this through
Frank as he describes the event to Rita.
Once again the reason that the audience may find this amusing is the fact that it is an utterly
unforeseen occurrence.
Another unexpected occurrence that falls into this category is when
Frank is searching through

Educating Rita
New stages of experience often bring about growth and change in one's life. As one experiences
new phases in their life, change is an implicit part of moving 'into the world'. This is clearly
demonstrated in the play Educating Rita, by Willy Russell, where Rita's growth and change comes
about with her education and experiences in her social, working–class life. The Devil Wears Prada,
directed by David Frankes and an interview titled 2 of us, John van Tigglemen, also demonstrate
how new stages of experience can bring about growth and change in one's life leading to a transition
into a new world.
Growth and change often comes about when new stages of experience allow a transition 'into the
world'. This is illustrated in Educating Rita...show more content...
When Rita returns from summer school Frank is quite surprised at Rita's confidence and
progression. Rita not only has become more confident but she has bought new second hand clothes,
a symbol of her growth into the world. We are able to see this change in Rita as she fought her
old–self at summer school when approached by a professor in regards to Ferlinghetti. Instead of
Rita persisting to say 'Only when its served with Parmesan cheese' she holds back and replies with
'Actually I'm not too familiar with American poets'. This is a clear indication that Rita has changed
her ways to move into the world of education and her new life. Rita's confidence in herself is
demonstrated as she tells Frank how often she stood up during lectures and asked questions
constantly. Further growth in Rita is seen when she quotes Blake, to Frank's surprise, and it is
evident that Rita has come so far.
Frank paved the way for Rita's transition into the educated world and he now finds it difficult to
accept she has successfully made a transition from one world to another and no longer needs to
depend on him. Jealousy begins to arise in Frank as Rita is now able to analyse and criticise
which Frank does not like. Frank believes he has created a monster one he can no longer control,
making an allusion to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein 'Oh I've done a fine job on you, haven't I.' Rita
however believes her growth and change has allowed her

Changes In Willy Russell's Educating Rita
Educating Rita by Willy Russell
"Educating Rita" displays the major changes that occur in the main character, an initially narrow
minded, outspoken and socially naГЇve
Liverpudlian trapped by her working class life. Rita thinks an increase in intelligence and worldly
knowledge will change this, and set her "free". She strives to change classes, and although is
different from her working class peers, she still isn't ready to be accepted as middle class. She aims to
reach her goal through an Open
University course, yet naively thinks knowing what books to read and clothes to wear will allow
her to immediately become accepted as part of her chosen social strata. Change is a major part of
the play, affecting Rita in both positive...show more content...
She is also confused by Frank's formal manner of speaking, showing her social naivety. For instance,
when he says, "You are?" she replies, "What am
I?" Although she appears very confidently, she is immediately quietened when faced with something
she feels she cannot succeed in.
She is fairly defeatist towards the course, believing she isn't intelligent enough, and that although
she wants to, she wont achieve her dream. She calls the courses, "Degrees for Dishwashers",
implying that Open University degrees are not looked upon very highly, and are not thought much
of. She is very negative about herself, believing she is not quite good enough. Rita wants to be of
a higher status than her friends and family, and assumes the course will bring about this
transformation. She is uncomfortable with being working class, as her outlook is more middle
class, yet also isn't ready to be considered middle class. She knows that she fits in with neither
social grouping, and at one stage, even refers to herself as a "half–caste". She naГЇvely thinks that
knowing what books to read and phrases to say will automatically be happy and free, as if
intelligence is the key to the lock of her cage. She believes all who are referred to as middle class
have no problems, or worries, and are therefore "free". Similarly, she tells Frank that she wants to
know "everything", not understanding that this is completely impossible. She believes her image is
sophisticated; yet her

Notes for Educating Rita
|Elective 2: Into the World | |In this elective students explore a variety of texts that deal with aspects
of growing up or transition into new phases of life and a | |broader world. People encounter different
experiences and respond to them individually. These personal experiences may result in growth, |
|change or other consequences. Students respond to and compose a range of texts that illustrate
different pathways into new experiences. | |They examine the features of texts that shape our
knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about individuals venturing into new experiences. | Compare and
Contrast Language As you...show more content...
| |Do you agree with this perspective? | |In your response, refer to your prescribed text and at least
ONE other related text of your own choosing. | Full Metal Jacket, American Beauty and Into the
World [pic] American Beauty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSSCo3ncYag http:/
/www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ0veM23apE&feature=related http://www.youtube.com
/watch?v=svoBHKceb5E&feature=related Quotes |Character |Obstacles/sacrifices |Rewards |What it
teaches us about into the| | | | |world | |Lester |"I'm already dead" – proleptic |"Never too late to get it
back" | | | |storytelling |He wants to retrieve something | | | |She wasn't always like this. |from the
past that he feels is | |

Themes In Educating Rita
Tajanay Keaton–Chesson
November 28, 2017
Extra Credit: Educating Rita
In the film, Educating Rita, the life of a young working–class woman dreams of pursuing an English
literature degree to help her gain social mobility. Rita, a 26–year–old blue–collar Liverpool
hairdresser, meets an English tutor, Dr. Frank Bryant in hopes that she would discover and
experience true happiness. Dr. Bryant is a wealthy alcoholic academic who suffers from low
self–esteem and confidence and would eventually fall in love with Rita's unwitty ability to adapt to
academia life and her continuous commitment to change and grow as a writer. This an example of
how blue–collar workers are identified to be more independent, natural, and spontaneous people
compared to white–collar workers. Generally, we think of blue–collar workers as less organized than
white–collar workers regarding student success. The film relates to the book Unequal Childhoods:
Class, Race, and Family Life, where Annette Lareau believes that a family's social class position
predicts an individual school success and their ultimate life chances (Lareau, 2003, p. 29). Lareau
(2003) highlights three reasons why social class matters for blue–collar workers, one is the
organization of daily life, the second is language use, and the third is interactions between families
and institutions (p. 11). Working–class or blue–collar workers tend to communicate poorly compared
to white–collar workers. The central difference between blue–collar

Educating Rita Educating Rita is a humorous play giving out a very strong message, which is
telling the reader to never give up in life and keep striving for what you are aiming for. In this
play we have a 26 year old woman called Rita whom is a mature woman, seeking an education, as
she didn't take the opportunity to learn when she was an amateur student, because of the
environment she lived in and the fact she didn't want to learn due to her popularity and her working
class culture. In reflection, Rita has come to realise how the law expectations surrounding her and
her working class culture held her back from her real potential. She wants to change now and break
this cycle. Frank, the other main character, is a teacher at...show more content...
"im actually an appaling teacher" "im sorry ther will be other tutors". This shows that frank does
not value himself, and he has a very low opinion of himslef. Frank agrees to teach rita, Frank's
fondness for Rita continues to grow over time and he warms to her and her witty, individualistic
nature. " I think your the first breath of fresh air that's been in this room for years". This shows
that frank is attracted to her personality and her free spirit. Frank has shown a lot of support to
Rita and he has been a positive influence on her. Frank teaches her in an enjoyable way to apply
his knowledge to Rita. As we read the play we see how they change each other. This can be
symbolised by the fact that at the beginning of the play Rita tells him to fix his door. This could
represent how she is going to fix him. When it was time for Rita to go to summer school, she was
very nervous, intimated and shy because she is not used to being around students, frank offered
one hundred percent support , he reasured her and pursuaded her to go. Frank is always there to
back Rita up. If frank didn't persuade her to go, Rita would have still been insecure, vulnerable and
most importantly she wouldn't have gained any knowledge. Frank's style of teaching is that he is not
concerned how well his students do; it depends on how dedicated the students are. When frank reads
the book that Rita gave him – Ruby Fruit Jungle, he teaches her that criticism

Educating Rita
Willy Russell, 'Educating Rita' 27/11/07 'Educating Rita' explores the way in which a woman, in
her late twenties, Rita, has to deal with everyday life, conflict change and different phases as she
becomes educated. The play is based on Willy Russell's own life. At the start of the play, Frank is
a more relaxed character. Rita is a hyper and open minded character, searching for adventure. She
comes from the working class society and tries to become educated and well respected. Frank on the
other hand is from the upper–class society, well educated but has lost most of his respect through
drinking. As the play progresses Frank starts to show a romantic and affectionate side of himself
towards...show more content...
But she doesn't know that not all educated people live free. She is very fussy and childlike, she
will get whatever she wants, and Frank cannot stop her: "You're my tutor ... You're going to
bleedin' well teach me." Frank is pushing her away but she puts her foot down to get an education
from Frank because she is determent to get educated and she will not take no for an answer. She
is not happy with herself: "Takes a pencil and scratches out the initial 'S' " She wants to change
and get rid of the old person she was. She chose her name after a famous person, thinking it would
help her. This is symbolic showing that she is sick of herself and that she wants change. The
language that Rita uses is very colloquial from the working class society. She gets straight to the
point and swears a lot. " Y' don't mind me swearin', do y'?" The slang language she uses would
come from the working class society; it could also be because of the reason that she does not read
many books. In act two scene one, Russell changed the actions of Frank completely: "Frank is
sitting at his desk typing poetry" This quote shows a big changing point in Frank's life, he has not
typed poetry since he broke up with his life, suddenly he started again. This shows that he has
improved on his life style "He pauses, stubs out a cigarette" The quote suggests that something is
wrong, his girlfriend Julia forbid him to smoke, he is smoking again, this could indicate that he
broke up with

Educating Rita Analysis
Rita sat by her husband facing the window. He stared out into nothing. There was little evidence of
any thought process from either of them, only an occasional whine from the patient.
A nurse entered the room, greeted Rita, but received no response. The nurse bathed and manipulated
Morrison's legs and arms as if to invoke an act of movement from her patient. Earlier, the doctors and
attendants spoke to Rita about the slight improvements they had detected. They found the sounds he
made relating to speech, baffling. They asked her to interpret the sound their patient intermittently
made: 'E–bi'. Rita guessed it was her son's name. She wondered if it was a compassionate call to his
son, or of a more devious rancor.
"Levi?" One attendant leaned...show more content...
Rita looked toward the abandoned liquor cabinet, the contents of which eased her harrowing life.
She rejected a return to that solution. Levi suggested a trip to the Grand Canyon and the arranging
of a freefall for the occupied wheelchair.
Rita had a more sane idea. She discussed that idea with her son and then took complete control of the
situation. She would file for divorce. They shipped Mr. Morrison to a handicap center and their
Central Park apartment, sold. Mother and son discussed domestic changes to Levi's studio with the
intent that she move

Educating Rita
Educating Rita: Society, Education and Self–Reflection
Usa Padgate *
Abstract
Educating Rita is a play written by Willy Russell, an English playwright from
Liverpool. It was voted 'Best Comedy of the Year' when performed by the
Royal Shakespeare Company in 1980. By 1983 it had risen to be the fourth most popular play on
the British stage. In the same year it was transformed into a film and won the BAFTA Best Film
Award as well as Academy Award nominations, proving its appeal and popularity on both sides of the
Atlantic.
This paper aims at introducing Willy Russell's work to fresh audience, especially students who are
looking for reasons to acquaint themselves with
English literature and teachers whose interests lie in finding...show more content...
She is now educated. She has choice. And she will choose: 'I might go to France. I might go to me
mother's. I might even have a baby. I dunno. I'll make a decision, I'll chose. I dunno.'2
Literature and Society
Traditionally, literature is believed to reflect society and its people; a belief that stresses that
literature is closely connected to society. Realistically, however, literature has been said to be of
very little practical use to the people who make the society. This way of perception probably
derives from the fact that the majority of the people who run the wheels of the society have very
little contact, if at all, with literature. Those who do are looked at as a passive group of people – the
ones who does not do any real 'physical' work. Literature, or simply the act of reading, is, and has
been, regarded as a genteel habit of those who are provided for, thus able to spend time reading
about life instead of living it. Therefore, it is no surprise that the society at large does not care much
about the study of literature. If needs be for an education of some sort, it is done more often than not
in professional schools. Liberal studies, the study of art for art sake, do not give a practical and
instant reward that professional trainings offer.
2Russell, Willy, Educating Rita.

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