Educating Rita Summary Essay Example

Having returned from Summer School in London, where she stayed with a friend and quit smoking, Rita asserts "No, ta, I've packed it in".

Despite Rita's growth in confidence and direction in life, there is evidence in the scene that she still lacks self-belief. She recalls a moment at summer school where she downplays her intelligence, saying "I was pretendin' I was dead clever." Although Rita has become more poised, she undervalues her capabilities. Furthermore, her second-hand clothing is the first thing you notice upon her entrance into the scene.

Rita's confidence and happiness in her outfit are evident as she twirls into Frank's study to show it off. While this is typical behaviour for Rita, it is significant because she exudes a newfound self-assurance. Additionally, Rita's clothing choice is unexpected given her prior activities of "chasing the lads" and buying dresses while spending time with her friends. When she first began her education with Frank, she expressed a desire for something more meaningful in life beyond these pursuits.

Regarding the purchase of dresses, Rita expresses, "An' I won't be getting another one until - until I pass my first exam. Then I'll acquire an appropriate dress, the type of dress only worn by an educated woman." This statement reflects a lot about Rita, considering in her initial sessions with Frank she likely did not envision herself wearing used clothing two years later. Rita's evolution is evident as she once held a preconceived idea of how an educated woman behaved and dressed, yet now as she progresses toward being educated, she realizes she has the freedom to choose and isn't bound by societal norms. Despite these changes, there

aren't significant differences in Rita's communication and interaction with Frank.

Despite undergoing changes, Rita has managed to retain her unique and comical sense of humour. This is a crucial aspect as it demonstrates that she has not forgotten her roots or identity. The audience has grown fond of her working-class Liverpudlian dialect, which adds to her charm. Some examples of this dialect include phrases like "let's do a dead good poet", "I was gonna sit down again", and "Trish, me flatmate". As the play progresses, Rita begins to lose this accent and adopts the language, mannerisms, and style of the middle class. Frank is disappointed by this change as he had advised Rita to change in order to succeed in the middle-class environment of the Open University. Despite this, in a particular scene, Rita exudes great enthusiasm about her time at Summer School.

Despite being initially fearful and wanting to go home, Rita overcame her apprehensions and became an accomplished student. Rita takes pride in her achievements and recalls a significant moment in a lecture hall where she confidently asked a question in front of a large audience. Frank shows interest in her experience by asking about the question she posed, leaving Rita excitedly recounting the details although unable to recall the specific question.

It appears likely that the topic of discussion was Chekhov, given Rita's newfound familiarity with the writer. This reflects a shift in her perspective, as she may not have known about Chekhov before. However, it also highlights her consistent tendencies, such as not being able to recall the specific question she had asked but still having the confidence to ask it.

In the scene,

Rita recalls her accomplishment with an innocent, childlike excitement, akin to reporting a school activity. Frank depicts a fatherly figure as he shares her elation and comprehends her achievement. He also refers to Rita as "my dear," demonstrating the care and shelter he feels for her. Mutual respect and understanding are apparent between the two, as reflected in the gift Rita presents to Frank.

According to the personal inscription on the pen, which reads "Must only be used for poetry. By strictest order - Rita," it is evident that Rita shares a close enough relationship with Frank to tease him about his poetry writing habits - or a lack thereof. Rita humorously suggests that every time Frank attempts to use the pen for anything other than poetry, he will be reminded of the inscription and feel guilty for not writing poetry.

This moment marks a crucial step in Frank and Rita's relationship. Their feelings for each other have been ambiguous until now, making this a rare and intimate moment. During this scene, Rita expresses her concern about Frank's excessive drinking, causing a shift in parental roles from Frank to Rita. This demonstrates the unpredictability and versatility of their relationship and highlights another occasion where Rita's comments are personal. Additionally, Rita mentions her new flatmate, Trish, with whom she speaks highly and expresses her admiration, while her conservative ex-husband, Denny, doesn't even come to mind.

The audience and Frank become aware of the changes in Rita as they continue to study William Blake's work. Rita impresses everyone by revealing she had remembered the short poem "The Sick Rose" from her summer school experience. This is a

significant moment for Rita and marks the climax of the scene that she has been gradually building up to since meeting Frank. If I were directing this scene, I would focus entirely on Rita, as it is a pivotal moment that highlights her personal development and the transformation of her soul. It is possible that Russell feels particularly connected to Rita's story because they originate from the same region and have experienced similar things.

To depict Rita's transformation accurately, I believe that the scene should showcase genuine passion, similar to the fervor of Russell while writing the play. Therefore, I intend to infuse Rita's segment of the stage with vivid hues, thrill and vitality. I plan to amplify her exhilaration through her voice and acting, without relying on lighting techniques to create an illusion. Since Open University classrooms do not have fanciful lighting effects, I will not adopt such technical embellishments.

My approach is to showcase the genuine persona of Rita and her bond with Frank, illuminating the stage and the classroom. To exude childlike excitement, I envision Rita pacing and moving around during certain parts of the scene, radiating happiness and liveliness. However, she should also assume a pensive demeanor in other sections to demonstrate her flexibility and grasp of Frank's emotions. For Frank's side of the stage, I envision a darker atmosphere, almost as if he is sitting in a shadow.

The effectiveness of the contrast lies in showcasing how Frank has aided Rita in her pursuit of becoming the woman she desires, while himself almost losing his own identity in the process. This particular scene exposes some of Frank's vulnerabilities, which Rita openly

discusses with him. I believe that Frank is comfortable opening up to Rita about his issues because he notices the positive changes in her. Frank trusts Rita enough to confide and seek advice from her, considering her a dear friend. It is important to note that this scene takes place in Act Two, and there has been a significant passage of time since their last encounter, indicated by the interval preceding it.

The script of Educating Rita contains hints that Frank and Rita haven't seen each other for a while, such as when Rita exclaims, "God has it really been that long since I've seen y', Frank?" While the play is limited to only two characters and one setting, it provides ample time to fully explore the complex relationship between Frank and Rita. By delving deep into their personalities, the audience becomes invested in the characters. The climax of the play occurs when Rita recites a poem by Blake, for which she should address the audience directly in a monologue. This moment will convey Rita's pride and delight, which will resonate with viewers who have followed her story thus far.