Educating Rita
-To analyse the effectiveness of the opening scene in Educating Rita.
The 1980s. A time when women were degraded, undermined, and brought down. A time of class division and continuous struggle for success within the working class. Throughout the 1980s girls were discouraged to go on to further education. It was deemed to be pointless, not only for females, but, the working class as a whole. It was thought many of those in the working class would not go on to obtain a job requiring a high level of skill; therefore education was not seen as a priority. The play writer: Willy Russell, reflected his own character and personality through ‘Rita’; he, also from a working class background, was in the same position as Rita is to begin with. A dead end job, simply longing for some depth, and meaning to life, wanting to better herself through means of education. The success of the opening scene was the result of Russell having to focus on dramatic devices, language use and contrast in his two main characters; Rita and Frank.
Firstly, Willy Russell uses numerous dramatic devices within his opening scene to introduce us to both characters; by the way each presents and carries themselves within this scene, we get an insight into their personality. For example: Rita’s struggle to get through the door, “I’m comin’ in aren’t I? It’s that stupid bleedin’ handle on the door. You wanna get it fixed!” Rita’s struggle to get through the door could be a metaphor for how she’s going to struggle to get into the educated world. However, this contrasts to later in the story when Rita returns from summer school, finally an ‘educated’ woman, and enters the door with ease. Alternatively, the fact Rita eventually enters the first time round, putting aside her struggle, could portray her determination to better herself. Furthermore, this ‘struggle’ could be referring to the class barrier Rita is to overcome before she is even considered ‘educated’. This invisible barrier, reinforced throughout by language use; elision. For example: ‘bleedin’ and ‘comin’ demonstrate Rita’s crude and informal dialect in contrast to Frank’s conventional and higher level vocabulary. This reinforces the class difference, and theoretically strengthening the ‘barrier’.
The Term Paper on Willy Russell in his play ‘Educating Rita’
... A variety of themes are explored as Rita, a working class Liverpudlian, aspires to a higher social and ... him. Even if they were both middle class and educated, Rita would still probably view him of the ... scene. Throughout the play both characters struggle with the personal, Rita attempting to become distant and Frank ... a noise at the door, which turns out to be Rita oiling his study door for him, as ...
Moreover, Rita’s description of the painting on the wall: ‘erotic’ and ‘the pornography of it’s day’. Her opinion reflects her personality and way of thinking. Language such as ‘erotic’ to describe a work of art would be expected of those in the working class, it’s suggesting Rita doesn’t have the correct mind frame to appreciate the artwork. Additionally, her opinion of the painting contrasts highly to Frank’s; ‘beautiful’. The differences in opinion reinforce the class difference. Despite the clash, Frank does acknowledge Rita’s opinion, and it’s almost as if Rita is a breath for fresh air into Frank, she shows him an entirely new way of thinking, and he does exactly the same towards her. Frank is everything Rita strives to be – so she thinks. Throughout, Rita lowers her status in front of him, she is aware of the differences and understands she has a lot yet to learn. For example, later in the play, she says: ‘I want to sing a better song’. Suggesting she feels an education would mean a ‘better’ life; a happier life. In contrast, Frank has no care for everything he has, he has no care for his job, his education, and extravagant lifestyle, only does what he does, to ‘pay for the drink’ – suggesting a lack in self esteem. He would rather waste his time doing that, whereas this is exactly what Rita is trying to get away from. Alternatively, Frank’s insecurities, could be an insight into the dark side of the educated lifestyle. Perhaps it’s not a place bursting with happiness, excitement, and everyone feeding off each others positive energy, but instead a rather lonely place, somewhere so limited and restricted, it’s difficult to escape. Nevertheless, it is these clashes between characters that engage the audience, and make the opening scene a success.
Talking About Rita Frank Scene Essay
... by E. M. Foster Rita has a different opinion about this book than Frank does. Then Rita starts a conversation on Franks wife. He tells ... Macbeth. Rita also talks to Frank about the definition of tragedy and she comes to the conclusion that there is a difference between ... a tragedy and something that is tragic. At the end Frank invites Rita to a dinner together ...