Changes in Rita and Frank in Education Rita

Changes in Rita and Frank in Education Rita

Discuss the ways in which Russell portrays the changes and developments

in the characters of Rita and Frank in Act 1 Scene 1 and Act 2 scene 1

Drama (post 1914)

Discuss the ways in which Russell portrays the changes and

developments in the characters of Rita and Frank in Act 1 Scene 1 and

Act 2 scene 1 of ‘Educating Rita’.

‘Educating Rita’ is a play written by the British author Willy

Russell. It is set in Liverpool around the 1980’s. It explores the

themes of education, poverty and working class life. The play is based

on Rita’s enthusiasm and determination to be educated. Rita undergoes

her course at the Open University. Here she meets her tutor Frank and

it is here their plutonic relationship blossoms. This is what occurs

in Act 1 scene 1. In Act 2 scene 1 the relationship contrasts from

that of the previous act. Although they have this friendly love, Frank

becomes jealous of Rita. This is because when Rita returns from her

summer school she is a new woman. She is more educated, has acquired

new clothes and her accent has changed.

The play is structured in two acts. It has eight scenes in the first

act and seven scenes in the second act. The first scene of act one is

set in Frank’s office at the Open University. There is a large bay

window at the left of his room and a small desk positioned in front of

it. In the centre of the room there is a larger desk covered with

books and papers. The walls are also lined with books. On one wall

hangs a nude religious scene. The way in which the scene is set gives

the reader a first impression that Frank is a disorganised person. Yet

when we see all the books we assume that he is an intelligent person

too.

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... what she thinks

when she tells him she is disappointed that he is still drinking after

the summer. This is different to Act 1 scene 1 when Rita would only

agree with what Frank would say.

Rita entered the play as a clumsy and uneducated woman and has come

through to Act 2 scene 1 as an educated and independent woman. Willy

Russell has portrayed the changes in Rita by giving her a new outlook

on life and a new education. Frank was very intrigued when he first

met Rita in Act one Scene one, but now he is jealous of the changes

that have occurred during the summer break and brought her into his

office in Act 2 Scene 1 as a fresh, self confident woman. Willy

Russell has portrayed the changes in Frank in a very clever way.

Although he never directly refers to the changes all you have to do is

look back and compare the two acts and the changes are obvious.