Rita bursts into a scene unexpectedly as she struggles to get through the door because of the rusty door-handle. This symbolises Rita struggling to get into education, but also shows her determination to do so. Early on Rita appears confident, but as we later find, there is a certain insecurity about her, which is one of the reasons why she chooses to go to University. To become more confident and ‘classy;
Rita is unlike anyone that Frank has ever met before. She is loud, rude and openly swears in front of Frank as well as talking casually to him as if they had known each other for years. We forget that she is there for an interview! Rita feels comfortable with Frank and he views her as a breath of fresh air.
Rita idolises Frank and wants to be a classy educated woman. She wants to change! Rita is very naïve by judging people going to the hairdressers, saying that they want to come out as different people, whereas it is her wanting to march into the University and leave as a different person.
There is a connection between Rita and Frank straight away. This is proven when Frank refuses to teach Rita - he believes she deserves a better tutor than him – and Rita replies by insisting on Frank becoming her tutor.
They are the ultimate odd couple, both from completely different backgrounds and cultures, but they have one key similarity – neither of them fit in with their own people. Rita refuses to settle for routine life in Liverpool and Frank is sick of the students, work colleagues and education all together.
In scene two there are early signs that their relationship is developing. Firstly, the scene opens with Rita oiling the door. This action is key as it symbolises her determination to get into education. Frank fascinates Rita. She admires him and his class. A prime example of this is when Rita compliments Frank’s style in decorating the room when really he put no effort in at all.
Rita shows concern for Frank by asking if he has been drinking and then is hopeful that it was because of what she said to him. Frank quickly rubbishes this theory and maintains control, while Rita quickly back-pedals and insists that she doesn’t want to reform him. “You can do what you like”, she says.
I believe control is the key issue in their relationship and I will explore how this control and power shifts from Frank to Rita in the essay.
Despite Rita’s determination to do well, she clearly struggles early on by writing a poor essay. She has never passed a written test in her life and so has no experience. Despite oiling the door to Frank’s office, there are more serious barriers preventing her from fulfilling her potential, mainly Denny’s objection to Rita learning at University. This climaxes when in scene 5, Denny burns all of Rita’s work and books when he finds out that she is on the pill. However, this does not stem Rita’s lust for knowledge, which she describes as “The thing that gets her through the week”. This again shows Frank’s power, as she is clearly dependent on him and again her determination to become educated.
Scene 7 is a key scene as it reminds us of the cultural differences between Frank and Rita. Rita could not attend Frank’s formal party, as she didn’t know what wine to bring, what clothes to wear and what to say. These are all the things she hoped would be the result of her getting an education.
However, in scene 8, Rita breaks another mental barrier by choosing Frank and her education over her life with Denny. It is then that she truly decides that she is sick of her life and wants to change. With no commitments, Rita sets off for summer school.
I believe that the crucial turning point in their relationship is not actually in a scene of the play, but the changes Rita undergoes in summer school. This is key as Rita returns more confident, mature and can clearly socialise better
Act 2 gives us an insight into the considerable changes that Rita has undergone as a result of attending summer school. The different clothes that she is wearing are symbolic of this, as earlier on in the play she insists that she will only buy a new dress when she is an educated woman.
Rita is clearly more independent and she resists the urge to tell jokes, which were previously a part of her character. A reason for her new independence is moving in with Trish – a posh and proper woman.
Rita now no longer relies on Frank. She begins to turn up late for tutorials, as she is talking to students, which is something she would never have done before. She challenges Frank’s literary opinions and she doesn’t bother to tell him that she has left her job as a hairdresser and now works in a Bistro.
Frank is clearly disappointed in Rita when she returns. He feels that she has lost her individuality and it is clear to me that the balance of power has shifted. Frank returns to his old drinking habits, culminating in him giving a lecture while he is drunk. When this happens, Rita sides with the students and we can clearly see the relationship between her and Frank deteriorating. “Its hardly fair on them if the lecturer’s so pissed that he’s falling of the rostrum”. As Rita becomes closer to her fellow students she drifts further away from Frank. Also significant is the fact that Rita can finally write essays to exam standards and her academic level is that of the other students. Finally, what could make a transformation more complete than changing your name as Rita reverts to her original name of Susan.
At the end of the play Rita is much less naïve and is not afraid to pass judgment on Frank and his behaviour. She had never seen him as a partner sexually and realises that Frank is trying to control her, and that he is unhappy when he realises that he can’t.
Rita does well in her exam and can now choose to change her lifestyle if she wishes to. She finally realises that education is about choices and we are left optimistic about her future.
However, the same cannot be said of Frank. The fact that he tries to persuade Rita to come with him to Australia suggests that he is unable to let her go and start her life afresh. It is now Frank who relies on Rita!
The play is unique as it ends in both a happy and tragic way. We are inclined to believe that Frank will continue to be the same drunken lecturer that he was at the start of the play, whereas for Rita the future is bright and promising as she finally realises that education is not about what clothes to wear or how to behave, but it is about choices and having full control over your life and the path you will take.
