It is evident that in Act One, Scene One the location of the action is highly essential in creating a powerful and appealing production. We know this when Russell informs us that the scene takes place “on the first floor of a Victorian-built university in the north of England. The action takes place on the “first floor” to symbolise the fact that it is upper-class and that Rita intends to ascend upwards in the social hierarchy and finish at the top of the upper-class. Also, the fact that it is in the “north of England” suggests that the university is cold and lifeless without Rita. This helps us to understand and predict what Rita’s character could be like.
Furthermore, in the introductory scene Rita’s language is both comical and authoritative. As she enters Frank’s room she is put to a halt by a “stupid bleedin’ handle on the door.” She then exclaims to Frank “I’m comin’ in, aren’t I?” and that he should get the door handle “fixed!” The phrase “come’ in” clearly shows us that Rita is eager to enter the world of academia. She is brimming with a passion and intense enthusiasm to learn. However, by shortening the word ‘coming’, using the apostrophe of omission, the playwright is subtly informing us that Rita is lacking something in her life; this is clearly a sophisticated grasp of education. The word “stupid” can be seen to mirror how Rita feels about herself in Act One. She believes that she is not a real student and does not fit easily into the educated world. Thus, we can link this idea to the theme of alienation since she separates herself from the world of academia. The word “bleedin” has been employed by the playwright to show Rita’s bleeding desire to become part of the upper-class and that during this painful transition she wishes to drain her past life. Executing the word “handle”, the playwright emphasises the barriers that Rita is trying to overcome. Since she finds it difficult to get through the door “handle” can be seen as a metaphor, representing Rita’s struggle to assimilate into the world of education. Thus, we know by this that Rita will have many barriers and hurdles to overcome before properly becoming part of the educated culture. The door Rita enters through is symbolic as it represents the culture she lives in which prevents her from moving up. This is also very comical as it is not what you would expect from a mature university student. Having executed the word “fixed”, Russell unearths the idea of how Rita wants to fix herself; she believes that knowledge will act as the tools and instruments that will help her accomplish her ambition. Furthermore, the word “fixed” is a reference to her culture; she believes that her friends and family are forever fixed in working-class culture, she however, does not want to be fixed in this culture. She intends to ascend in to upper-class this idea links to Marxism, which is the idea that the working-class are oppressed by the upper-classes.
The structure of the first scene is also very important in suggesting Rita’s ambitions and goals as the cyclical nature if the play reveals Rita’s path towards the educated culture. We see this at the beginning of the scene when Rita “swings open” the door and when Rita refers to Frank as a “geriatric hippie”. The fact that the door is “open” suggests that Rita is open to new things and is not afraid to progress into an unknown territory. Also, the word “swings” suggests Rita that even though she is confident in moving towards being educated she will still swing back to her past life and her working-class history will continually return and becoming somewhat of a hindrance to her progression into the educated culture. Having began and ended the scene with humour, the playwright introduces the idea of the play being cyclical. In addition, it also suggests that Rita wants to make a 360 degree turn in order to transform her life and to turn her life around.
It is clearly evident that Frank’s relationship with Rita reveals certain ideas about Rita’s character from the perceptive of the educated class. We know this when Frank refers to Rita as being “different” and a “breath of air.” The fact that Rita is referred to as being “different” links to theme of alienation as Rita feels segregated from the other students. The course sounds in the word “different” also subtly suggests that the transition in to the world of education. The idea of difference also links back to the social climate at the time in which the play was written as that era was saturate in difference. The word “air” suggests that already Frank cannot live without Rita and that she is a vital ingredient to life. Additionally, this reveals that the rapport between Frank and Rita is already very intimate and definite.
There is no doubt that Rita as a character could be seen to be somewhat of an inspiration to the audience. We learn this when she tells Frank that “if you want to change y’ have to do it from the inside, don’t y? Know like I’m doin.” This quote is an example of Rita’s use of language in Act One and the fact that it is both uneducated and uncouth. Her language acts as mirror of her personality and character because of the fact that her disposition is also inarticulate and raucous. Using the word “you”, Russell reveals that it’s not just Rita who needs to change but Frank also. The term “inside” suggests that Rita does not want to be like everyone else and simply changer her appearance but change her persona and improve her character in order to ascend in to the upper-class. Plus, it could imply that Rita wants to reveal her true identity inside, her true identity being an educated and upper-class woman and not being part of the working-class culture she was somewhat forced into. Also that fact that Russell employs a question mark at the end of Rita’s line suggests that Rita maybe unsure of what she is really letting herself in for and that she is not entirely sure if she wants to leave the old Rita behind. Furthermore, the pauses in Rita’s speech, which are created by Russell’s use of commas, enhance and add to the idea that Rita feels both unconfident and doubtful of herself. Also, the use of the question mark tells the audience that Rita questions herself in what she is doing and presents us with the new idea that Rita may be uncertain if she is really right in trying to become educated.
In Scene Two we witness Rita establish and focus herself on changing for the better. It is apparent that Rita wants to make her transition into the educated culture as efficient as possible. This is unearthed when Frank pulls open the door in his office to reveal Rita “Standing in the doorway, holding a small can of oil.” However, this is distorted when we understand that Rita “wanders round the room.” The whole idea of Frank’s office can be seen to be a metaphor, Frank’s office itself represents the world of academia and the outside could be seen to symbolise the popular culture. The only way between the two is through Frank’s doorway. In Scene One we witness Rita put to a stop by this doorway or barrier. However, as we progress into Scene Two Rita brings with her a “small can of oil” which she uses to allow the door to open effortlessly. Thus, allowing her movement between the two cultures in a graceful and easy method and also that Rita wants a smooth transition into the popular culture. After this, we are told that Rita “wanders around the room.” The fact that Rita “wanders” and does not stay still tells us that even though she has broke the barrier she feels neither comfortable or stable in upper-class and that she is uneasy with the idea of education.
It is clear that in Scene Two Rita continues to segregate herself from the other students and is yet to fit in comfortably. This is discovered when Rita refers to the students on the “lawn” as “proper students” and talks about them using the word “they”. The fact that Russell chooses to situate the other students on the “lawn” implies that they are natural to these surroundings and are at ease with the idea of education. Unlike Rita, who is ill at ease and finds it somewhat difficult to integrate with other learners. In addition to this, the word “proper” indicates that Rita feels as though she is wrong and in a way incorrect. It is from this idea that we learn she must change herself if she is ever going to be what she refers to as a “proper student”. This is not the first time we witness Rita alienating herself, in Scene One we learn that Rita classifies the other learners as “real students” we learn from this, that Rita’s experience of the popular culture will continually prevent her from achieving her goals. Rita again excludes herself from the other students by identifying them with the term “they”. This hammers home the message that Rita feels ashamed about herself and is hiding who she really is and that if she ever to enter into and become involved in the world of academia she needs to alter her perceptive of the upper-classes and change.
It is evident that the stage directions play a vital and significant role in portraying Rita’s character. We gather this we Rita “starts sharpening the pencils on by on into perfect spikes, leaving the shavings on the desk.” She then “finishes sharpening the last pencil, and arranges it in line with others” and “chucks [the pencil shavings] in the waste-bin.” Having executed the word “sharp”, the playwright puts forth the idea that Rita herself wants to become sharp and astute. The word “perfect” insinuates that that by using education she will become flawless and will no longer be the faulty, imperfect and inconsistent working-class woman she once was. The word “spike” unearths the idea that Rita wants to use this spike to pierce the barrier preventing her from ascending up into the world and becoming educated. The fact that Rita “arranges it in line with the others” tells the audience that she, like the pencil, wants to be shaven of her old identity and placed in harmony alongside the other students. Additionally, by placing the pencil shavings in the bin, Willy Russell reveals to the audience that Rita wishes to dispose of her old identity never to see it again just as she did with the pencil shavings.
It is evident that the dramatist uses animal imagery to emphasise Rita’s personality and emotion in Scene Two. This is clear when Rita tells Frank about her school life and mentions a “fantastic bird, all coloured” and that it was “dead out of place.” Russell employs the animal imagery of a bird because birds are free and are limitless in what they choose to do. They have the ultimate freedom and are untamed and unrestricted. This is very important in conveying Rita’s character as the bird is a metaphor of Rita. This is because of the fact that Rita is restricted and trapped in her history and experience of the popular culture and working-class. Like the bird she wants to remove the shackles of limitation and restraint and become free to do as she wishes and be who she wants to be. Metaphorically speaking Rita is the “fantastic bird” and the colours represent her individuality and the fact that she is unlike any of the other students. The quote “out of place” essentially describes Rita in the university and in the working-class in Scene One and Two. She no longer fits in to her past however her past prevents her from becoming educated. She could be said to be in limbo as she is stuck between two worlds and is unable to get to either.
Furthermore, it is unmistakable that in Scene Two Rita occupies a mind with a desire for education. This is exposed when Frank tells Rita that “possessing a hungry mind is not, in itself, a guarantee of success.” The quote as whole tells us that Rita has a lust for knowledge and that she needs it in order survive. The word “hungry” reveals to us that Rita still has space in her bank of knowledge to fill and she is determined to fill it before she starves. This leaves the audience with concern over Rita’s desperate need of knowledge and whether she will be able to feed on education and prevent herself from starving of knowledge. The term “success” introduces us to Rita’s strong-minded and gritty personality and the fact that she is determined to become educated. The carefully placed full stop after this word forces the reader to pause on the word and reflect on its meaning from the perspective of Rita.
Act Two sees the return of Rita from summer school, immediately we see a massive change through both the language she uses and how she moves about the stage. It becomes apparent that Rita has gained a certain amount of confidence and reputation during summer school. We know this because unlike other scenes when Rita struggles to get through Frank’s door, which metaphorically speaking is a barrier between the popular culture and world of academia, she “bursts through the door” and is “dressed in new, second-hand clothes.” She also “twirls on the spot” to show Frank her new clothes. The fact that Rita “bursts” through the door implies that she now feels confident and secure with the idea of education. Likewise, it’s almost as if her confidence and burst from within her to reveal the real Rita. Having dressed Rita in “new, second hand clothes”, Russell tells us that Rita has made a fresh start and her past self has been abolished and her new identity is firmly in place. However, the fact that the new clothes are “second hand” suggests that her old identity may still remain with her even though she does not portray it. Furthermore, By choosing to have Rita “twirl” in front of Frank, the playwright suggests that Rita is proud of her new found identity and feels somewhat superior to the other students because of it. Also, she no longer feels the need to be embarrassed about herself.
Additionally, it is obvious that “Summer School” played a large part in transforming Rita and her identity. In summer, flowers and plants blossom, it could be said therefore that Rita too has blossomed and flourished into an educated and upper-class woman. In addition, to this a comparison between the season itself and Rita could be made as summer is a bright time of year when the sun stays out longer and shines brightly rather like Rita who in the term of education has become brighter. The transformation of the seasons too could be symbolic of Rita’s evolution into the world of academia. Finally the soft smooth “s” sound in the quote “summer school” could indicate how Rita now feels at ease and relaxed at the thought of education.
There is no doubt that Rita’s language has become evidently more refined and sophisticated and parallels the character she has transformed into. In Act Two she no longer refers to the other students as “they” but as “we”. She also informs Frank that she “stood up!” during a lecture and that “y’ couldn’t keep me down.” The fact that Rita now refer to the other student as “we” implies that she no longer feels segregated and alienated from the other students but that she is now part of the other students and can relate to them. Similarly, the fact that Rita “stood up” during a lecture suggests that she now stands out from the crowd or the working class culture. It also puts forth the idea that Rita is now noticeable and it prominent because of her new found education. The quote “y’ couldn’t keep me down” links back to the idea of Rita, metaphorically speaking, being a bird in the way that she can no longer be held down and is free to glide and roam throughout the world of academia. It also reveals that before summer school Frank may have been in some way restraining Rita and stopping her from access the world of academia.
It is clear that in Act Two, Scene Three there is evidence of role reversal between Frank and Rita. We know this because Frank is “very drunk” and begins to recite quotes Rita said like “Assonance means getting the rhyme wrong...” In this scene it is almost as if Rita is the teacher as she, unlike Frank, is stable and permanent. The fact that Frank is “very drunk” informs the audience that frank is descending from the upper-class just as Rita ascends into the upper-class. It could also suggest that Frank has a problem with Rita’s new identity as he is drinking away his problems. The fact that the writer employs an ellipses suggests that Frank had paused during fall to the working-class culture as he continue to be to intelligent and educated Frank we first come to know, but he also portrays himself as drunk man who is unable to control himself, evidence of working-class culture taking over him. It is almost as if Rita’s old working class background has been shed on to Frank thus causing him to operate like a member of the working-class because of Rita rise into the educated culture.
The final scene is incredibly important, this is because we witness Rita completely changed into a fully functioning member of the upper-class. We know of this when Rita “enters and shuts the door... wrapped in a large winter coat” and also when Rita “helps [Frank] take down the books.” The fact Rita “closes” the door behind her implies that she is closing off her past and that it is no longer in her system. It could also represent the Rita has turned herself around and is now part of the world of academia. Furthermore, the “large winter coat” which Rita wears is also very symbolic as it could be representative of the extra layer of education and knowledge has applied on to herself. It could also suggest Rita is now independent because of her new education and realises that she is mature enough to make the decision to wear a coat. Having set this scene in winter, the playwright suggests tot the reader that the changes of seasons are a symbol of Rita changed Identity. Also, in the winter mornings are cold and fresh indicating that Rita has made a fresh start with life. Similarly to this, Russell sets this scene at this time of the year to hammer home the message that Rita is making a new start to life because new-year takes place during winter. Lastly, the fact that Rita “helps” Frank indicates role reversal between the characters as we are familiar with Frank helping Rita not the reverse way.
Also, it is apparent that Rita whole perception of the upper-class and the educated culture is shattered by one historic event. We know this when Rita tells Frank that Trish tired to “kill herself.” This important event is of great significance to the plays storyline. This is because Rita’s vision of the upper-class was problem free and this focal event destroys this idea. Also, Trish’s suicide is symbolic of the fact that regardless of which class you belong to happiness is key and without it life is pointless. This startling and compelling twist to the storyline is the reason why “Educating Rita” is such meaningful and influential play and is in a world of its own in these terms.
To conclude, there is no doubt that the play “Educating Rita” is supported around the ideas of change, feminism and Marxism. It is from these ideas that Willy Russell produces such an innovative and appealing play. Throughout the play we witness the identity change of the character Rita, and the journey she set out to achieve transforms into a gripping storyline. From this compelling story we learn about perception of the classes and that being the best isn’t always as liberating and beneficial as it is made out to be. Throughout Rita’s turbulent journey she encounters problems of the working-class and upper-class, from this she comes to learn that they are not so different and in a way are very similar. At the end of her journey through the classes she is perceived as upper-class woman, however at heart she remains the working class woman Frank once referred to as a “breath of fresh air.”
