How Willy Russell dramatises the relationship between Frank and Rita Essay Example
How Willy Russell dramatises the relationship between Frank and Rita Essay Example

How Willy Russell dramatises the relationship between Frank and Rita Essay Example

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  • Pages: 7 (1786 words)
  • Published: September 24, 2017
  • Type: Analysis
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The play Educating Rita was written by Willy Russell in 1979 and is set in a Victorian university in the north of England, which happens to be the author's birthplace. Its focus is on the phenomenon of individuals from poor backgrounds who refrain from pursuing higher education and opt for employment instead. The government's belief that more members of the working class should attend university, or take part in the relatively new Open University scheme, is mirrored in the play. Unity of place plays a crucial role in our comprehension of the play, given that it takes place solely within a university room located on the building's first floor. "A room on the first floor of a Victorian built university in the north of England" (Act 1 Scene 1)

The unity of place in the play allows the audience to explore events outside the university through the p

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erspective of a character, followed by observing the reactions of other characters. This generates increased involvement from the audience, prompting them to imagine the world outside of the university based on the information provided by the characters. The unity of place also enables Willy Russell to create significant character changes without one character being aware of what has happened to another. Various locations alter the relationship between Frank and Rita. For instance, when Rita attends summer school, Frank discovers that she no longer relies on him and can pursue her education and work independently. Frank, a fifty-year-old university lecturer, deals with depression and isolation by consuming alcohol.

Frank has resorted to teaching Open University courses to pay for his excessive drinking habit, and one of his students happens to b

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Rita. Initially, it seems that Frank only cares about drinking, as Rita notices objects in his room that he didn't even know existed, and Julia urges him to quit. Meanwhile, Rita, a 26-year-old working-class hairdresser, has bravely signed up for a literature course at Open University. This decision was difficult for her, as she had to leave behind a community that lacked interest and knowledge in literature. Nevertheless, Rita is determined and intellectually curious.

Despite reading works such as "Ruby Fruit Jungle" and poems by Roger Mc Gough, Rita believes they are not enough and later Frank dismisses them as "pulp fiction". However, she offers Frank a unique perspective on life by pointing out the symbolic significance of the classroom window. Being unlike any other student, Frank refers to Rita as a "breath of fresh air" in scene 1 of act 1. It is likely that Rita is a hairdresser, as Willy Russell was one, which may mirror his own struggles in education. At the start of the play, both characters are surprised by each other's personalities.

In the first scene, Rita enters Frank's room and begins speaking informally and using swear words. Frank is taken aback, as he was expecting a formal and polite student like the rest of his class. Despite this, Rita is impressed with the number of books in Frank's room but repeatedly warns him that drinking alcohol kills brain cells. The audience immediately realizes Rita's uneducated background due to her smoking and inappropriate talk. However, they also recognize her ambition to learn, as she searches for good books in the cluttered room. While Frank's literacy suggests that he is from

a middle-class background, his cynical attitude and disorganization suggest financial struggles due to his alcoholism. The play uses misunderstandings to highlight the social differences between Frank and Rita, creating a comedic contrast between them.

At the start of the play, there is a noticeable contrast between Frank and Rita as they face challenges in communicating with each other. However, this contrast gradually lessens as the play progresses. The audience is entertained when Frank asks for Rita's name but she responds by questioning her identity. This simple interaction proves to be difficult for Rita and adds to the comic relief of the play. The miscommunications between Frank and Rita come from their respective knowledge and upbringing. For instance, Rita mistakes Jane Austen, the 19th century author, for Tracy Austin, the tennis player. Similarly, when Frank mentions WB Yeats, the Irish playwright, Rita thinks of Yeats the wine lodge. Willy Russell cleverly uses these differences in culture to create humor without offending either of the characters or their cultures.

Both the characters and audience are amazed by the events happening on stage. When Rita enters, her swearing and inappropriate behavior startles the audience. Her action of taking out a cigarette in a university without asking for permission highlights her poor background where smoking in public is acceptable. In addition, her lack of manners is shown as she walks into the room, ignores greeting Frank and introducing herself, and just drops her bag. She then proceeds to explore the room, which indicates that she is not used to formal situations. When she walks and talks to Frank, she shows her curiosity and hunger for knowledge by taking a copy of

"Howard's End" from the bookshelf. During the tutorial, she is constantly moving around and trying to learn everything. This demonstrates her desire to make the most of her life.

In act 1, scene 7, the characters have undergone significant changes, altering their relationship. Frank has become more aware of his surroundings while Rita has started using more polite and complex vocabulary. This improved communication allows Frank to understand Rita better and learn more about her culture. When discussing Rita's decision not to attend a party, Frank predicts the type of wine she would bring- "a bottle of Spanish plonk"- confirming his understanding of her background. Rita desires education to be respected as a serious individual in society rather than merely a humorous one, as she believed she was invited to Frank's dinner party "to play the role of the court jester." However, Frank is unaware of the difficultys Rita faces in attending such an event, as his education and higher-class culture are inherently ingrained, allowing him to know how to handle such occasions naturally.

According to the author, Rita feels unsure about which wine to bring and what clothes to wear, fearing that she may be viewed as inferior if she fails to meet certain standards. The author highlights Rita's sentiments by asking Frank if he dresses up and brings wine when he goes out. This inquiry elicits sympathy from Frank and the reader, who understand the challenging situation Rita finds herself in. Rita desires to be educated so she may lead a fulfilling life and feel self-assured in any environment. Although she feels proficient in Frank's classroom, Rita is perplexed outside of it. However,

attending summer school later proves to be a solution to her predicament.

Rita avoids looking at Frank, possibly due to her shame or to make him feel like a insensitive person. Initially, she feels ashamed while apologizing, but later confronts Frank for treating her like a lesser species. Rita's thought-provoking questions make the audience share her feelings and perceive Frank as insensitive. Some viewers may view Frank as selfish, but deeper analysis reveals that he takes his knowledge for granted. As the new act begins, it becomes clear that significant changes have occurred in Rita's life.

We hear about the results of Rita's changes, rather than see them. Following her attendance at summer school and move to live with Trish, the most significant transformation can be seen in her character. Rita has become more self-sufficient, having worked tirelessly and openly expressed her views during her time at summer school. As she proudly declares in Act 2, Scene 7, "I stood up! Honest to god, an' everyone's lokin' at me." The experience of attending summer school has not only allowed Rita to gain confidence and make new acquaintances, but it has also enabled her to broaden her knowledge of literature. Her register and vocabulary have notably improved, along with the structure of her sentences. This newfound independence from Frank is also attributed to her close relationship with Trish, who has taken on the role of mentor that Frank once filled.

This passage illustrates the way in which Rita's independence causes a reversal in the relationship between her and Frank, with Frank now relying on Rita to help him alleviate his isolation. Frank compares himself to Dracula, with a

strong aversion to sunlight, but he is happy to see the progress Rita has made in her studies. However, Frank is disappointed that Rita has already studied Blake, whom he had planned to teach her about later on, suggesting that she no longer needs his guidance. Frank is able to use more complex vocabulary with Rita, who now has a wider range of words in her own vocabulary following her summer school education. This is demonstrated when Frank uses metaphors and similes to express himself, and critiques Rita's analogy. Throughout the play, Rita's increasing maturity is evident as she develops the ability to engage in debates based on facts and sensible opinions rather than just random or subjective ones. In the final scene, Rita and Frank exchange gifts as a sign of appreciation for one another.

In this stage of the play, Frank and Rita will bid farewell as they embark on different life paths. While Frank is moving to Australia, Rita has yet to decide on a destination. However, now that she is independent of Frank, she takes pride in making informed decisions based on her education. Rita's newfound knowledge has granted her the freedom to choose, as evident from her statement in Act 2 Scene 7, "I had the choice," following her exams. Although Rita has matured since their first tutorial session, Frank still treats her as if she's reading "Ruby Fruit Jungle." Perhaps he does this to encourage her to continue Taking OU courses and meeting him or due to his disbelief that she can learn independently. Realizing this, Rita confronts Frank, stating that he's treating her as if she's "still hung-up on

Ruby Fruit Jungle." Despite their vastly different cultures and language barriers leading to misunderstandings, their relationship has progressed well because they both need each other to achieve a better life.

Despite Frank being the provider of information, both characters rely on one another to accomplish their objectives. Ultimately, their association evolves into a companionship rather than a romantic involvement, as both are content that they will move on to advance in their lives. The play's context remains applicable nowadays, as the administration continues to motivate individuals to attend universities. However, it is debatable since the government has implemented top-up fees, which may discourage individuals from less affluent backgrounds from furthering their education.

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