At the end of Act one what has Rita learned about herself, her education and her relationships with others?
In the play “Educating Rita”, there are two Acts which consist of several scenes. These two Acts demonstrate the contrast between the low cultured Rita and the high cultured Rita. At the end of the first Act the audience can sympathise with Rita’s position, she belongs to neither social class at this point in time. She is stuck in a void, which if she is to break through she must discard all that is holding her back. In this essay I wish to examine Rita’s feeling towards herself and others at the end of the first Act, and how she values her new levels of education.
As the play progresses the audience feels that Rita is becoming more confident as well as furthering her education, she is willing to sacrifice those close to her including Denny and their marriage to achieve her ultimate goal.” I got home from work, he’d packed me case.” Education has possessed Rita to the extent that she is unwilling even to discuss the mater or comprise in anyway, “in the circumstances I need to go on…” she is unwilling to discuss her current state with Frank, she is determined and does not take offence at a direct approach. This demonstrates how steadfast she is in her decision. The audience gets the impression that while Rita is in this limbo she views society differently, and understands the mechanics of the world. “If you go out to dinner don’t you dress up? Don’t you tale wine?” Frank is unable to understand this point fully, the audience feels that Rita has always been able to understand this due to her uniqueness but has been unable to convey her point until she acquired her new found education.
