Not only is Rita different in an intellectual sense compared to the other students, but she is also from a lower class and a poorer background to other students and to Frank. Frank is very much middle class and therefore despite living in Liverpool he does not have a Liverpudlian accent. In addition as a lower class citizen Rita speaks with a common Liverpudlian accent which at first Frank finds hard to understand. Rita states ‘D’ y’ get a lot like me?’ And Frank replies ‘Pardon?’ Then Rita repeats what she says but slower and without the slang ‘Do you get a lot of students like me?’ This makes their relationship far more interesting as they are such contrasting characters and the unlikeliest of friends. This is one of the techniques used by Willy Russell to keep the audience’s interest with only two characters.
Rita shows her keenness to learn immediately, as she starts probing Frank with lots of questions about a painting on the wall in Frank’s office ‘Is it supposed to be erotic?’ ‘Do you think it is erotic?’ ‘So they made it religious, didn’t they?’ Rita showed how eager she is to learn from these quotes and that is when Frank realises she is different from his other students and he thought he was not a good enough tutor for her. However Rita persuades him to teach her ‘You’re my tutor. I don’t want another tutor.’ This shows her strength of character, which stays with her throughout the play and is one part of her, which never really develops.
As the play continues the characters start to develop. Firstly the dialogue becomes less one-sided. Rita no longer totally dominates the conversations; Frank can now fight his corner. He no longer hesitates as nearly as much and asks nearly as many questions as Rita did earlier in the play. In Act 1 Scene 3 Frank asks ‘Is it a joke? Is it?’ In this quote he is challenging Rita over her essay, this shows he has developed greater strength in his personality. Later he even mocks her slightly as he says ‘Which English feller?’ This ridicules her use of slang in the word feller but he does not mock her in a demeaning way but more as sarcastic humour. Then he challenges Rita once more by asking her a tough question ‘And if I asked you to make a comparison between those books, what would you say?’ and for once Rita does not know what to say she replies rather hesitantly ‘Well, they were all good in their own way.’ This shows Frank is developing to become more self-assured and confident in his own abilities as a tutor. This also shows that there are times where they reverse roles again, where Rita becomes the nervous one and Frank the confident one.
On the other hand Frank does not always dominate the conversations later in the play, in fact far from it. Frank tends to only dominate the dialogue when it is about a subject where he has the most knowledge, usually the subject being literature. For example in Act 1 Scene 6 Frank is dominating a conversation about Macbeth and what a tragedy is, Frank; ‘Which might be quite tragic, but it won’t be tragedy’ Rita: ‘What?’ Frank: ’The tragedy of the drama has nothing to do with the sort of tragic event you are talking about.’ Rita: ‘Yeh, go on.’ As you can see from this extract when the conversation is about literature, Frank dominates it. Frank is doing most of the talking with short replies from Rita; Frank is therefore dominating length and the speed of the conversation. Another example of Frank dominating the conversation when the subject is literature is in Act 1 Scene 6. In this scene Rita is telling Frank about a Shakespeare play she went to see, she starts by reciting a quite well known passage from it: ‘Out, out brief candle! Life’s but a poor player…’ And Frank, quite deliberately replies ‘Ah, Romeo and Juliet.’ Knowing full well that it is from Macbeth. Rita does not catch on to Frank’s sarcasm and she says ‘Tch. Frank be serious!’ Frank then puts his feet on his desk; this signals that he is in control of the situation and dominating the conversation, a skill Frank has quickly developed, compared his nervous hesitations at the beginning of the play. This passage that I quoted is also a very humorous part in the play as Rita’s naivety combined with Frank’s subtle sarcasm is another technique that Willy Russell uses to create humour and therefore keep the audience’s interest with only two characters.
However when the conversation is about marriage, families, society or life in general, Rita tends to dominate these conversations. Probably because she has more knowledge of these subjects, we know Rita has a reasonably large family and she is married, unlike Frank, who speaks not of his family and is divorced from his wife. For example at the beginning of Act 1 Scene 6 Frank is challenging Rita to why she did not come to the dinner he invited her to. Frank is very much dominating the conversation and Rita is on the back foot, Frank: ‘Having to cope with six instead of eight is extremely hard on Julia! I’m not saying I needed any sort of apology; you don’t turn up and that’s up to you.’ Rita rather nervously replies: ‘I did apologize.’ As Frank has the upper hand he continues to grill Julia by saying: ‘ ‘Sorry couldn’t come’ scribbled on the back of your essay and thrust through the letterbox? Rita that’s hardly an apology.’ However as soon as Rita brings something like family in to the conversation she starts to dominate it, such as her husband Denny: ‘When I told Denny we were goin’ to yours he went mad.’ Frank now rather nervously replies ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t realize.’ Therefore with an instant Rita has turned round the conversation and made Frank apologize just by bringing up a subject where Frank is uncomfortable, such as family. This is a technique that Rita has developed as the play continues.
Another development I noticed is how their relationship becomes more and more emotional and less and less professional. The turning point is perhaps when Rita leaves Denny. This is something Rita has in common with Frank, who split up with his wife. However unlike Frank’s marriage, which breaks down because of Frank’s laziness, awkwardness and alcohol problem, Rita’s marriage to Denny ends because she had the choice between a normal lower class life, going down the pub, having a baby etc. or an education. And she chooses the education, as she says she wants to ‘sing a better song’. Immediately after finding out about Rita’s marriage to Denny being on the rocks he tries to talk to her about it and not about literature. In Act 1 Scene 5 Rita and Frank are talking about Denny, Rita does not want to Frank almost insists they do Frank: ‘Yes. Well perhaps your husband…’ Rita: ‘No I don’t wanna talk about him.’ Frank: ‘We really should talk about you and Denny, my dear.’ In this passage Frank is trying to instigate an emotional conversation and therefore develop their relationship from professional to emotional. This also shows Frank cares about Rita, her life and her welfare, thus he has grown an emotional attachment to her.
To continue this, in the same scene, Frank tries to create a less professional environment than his office. He does this by pouring some drinks for them both and saying ‘We’ll talk about Chekhov and pretend this is the pub.’ This is furthering my point about their relationship becoming less professional. Rita then asks Frank some very personal questions which could cause an uncomfortable situation in a professional environment, however in an emotional, friendly environment they discuss these questions freely, Rita asks Frank ‘Do you actually like drinking?’ and ‘Why did you stop being a poet?’ Frank answers both these questions without putting up a fight or changing the subject, unlike Rita, who repeatedly refused to talk about Denny. This shows, although their relationship has developed to become more emotionally fuelled, but perhaps Frank has more of an emotional attachment and dependence towards Rita, than she has towards him.
Another example of their relationship developing as more than a professional one, is when Frank agrees to got to watch an amateur production of The Importance of Being Earnest in Act 1 Scene 5. This is significant as it is the first time they are going to meet outside of Frank’s office and at a social event. At first Frank does not want to go, as he believes Julia would get jealous ‘And how would I explain that to Julia.’ ‘Even a woman who posses an M.A. is not above common jealousy.’ This is perhaps an excuse as he is nervous of being seen with Julia. Firstly because it might look like they are having an affair, this shows he is still fond of Julia, but also he may be slightly reluctant to be seen with a woman from a common, lower class background. However as the conversation continues and Rita continues to nag Frank, he tells her that Julia is out anyway and he eventually agrees to go. This is a very big development in their relationship; going to a social event shows they very much enjoy each other’s company and that their professional relationship is being overshadowed by their friendship and emotional relationship.
This also shows Frank is starting to make his own sacrifices as he responds to Rita’s dedication to her studies, by forgetting his dislike of the theatre to please her. Another example of Frank making his own sacrifices is his attempt to cut down on drink, however this fails when Rita is at summer school Frank is lonely once again and turns back to drink. As in Act 2 Scene 1 Rita picks up a bottle of whisky on Frank’s shelf and states ‘Are you still on this stuff?’ Rita then goes on to say ‘Why d’ y’ do it when y’ve got so much goin’ for y’ Frank? This not only shows that without Rita, frank goes back to his old ways, but also that despite not admitting as soon as Rita returns she is immediately trying to reform Frank, which shows also that she still cares for him and his health.
After their outing to the watch The Importance of Being Earnest Rita starts to develop more confidence in terms of her abilities in literature, but also her confidence increases in general. I know this, as she goes to a professional theatre on her own, something she would never dream of doing in the first few scenes of the play. She states this in Act 1 Scene6 ‘I had to come an’ tell y’, Frank, last night, I went to the theatre! A proper one, a professional theatre.’ This not only shows Rita is gaining in confidence, but also that Frank was the first person she told and therefore she considers him a very good friend if not her best friend. Also he is the only person she knows who would understand, this means she holds him in high regard and respects his intellect and Rita does not just value his friendship, which is a development.
As the play continues Frank and Rita start to do more social things together. For example in Act 1 Scene 6 Rita invites Frank to accompany her to an art gallery ‘Ey Frank listen, I was thinking of going to the art gallery tomorrow. D’ y’ wanna come with me?’ Frank replies, with a smile ‘All right.’ This shows they are both pleased their relationship is developing, but in different ways. Frank just wants to teach a friend and he wants some fresh, lively company in his rather boring life. Whereas Rita just is not confident enough yet to go somewhere intellectual on her own, she wants someone intellectual to be with her, to guide her.
Another development for Rita is when she finds out that she is becoming educated and respected for her intellect and different view on literature.
This happens in Act 1 Scene 7 where Rita does not turn up to a dinner with Frank, Julia and a few of his intellectual friends. Rita misinterprets why she has been invited, Rita: ‘I didn’t want to come to your house just to play the court jester.’ Frank replies: ‘You weren’t being asked to play that role. I just wanted you to be yourself.’ Rita: ‘Me? What’s me? Some stupid woman who gives us all a laugh because she thinks she can learn… well let’s bring her in because she’s a good laugh.’ Frank now turns very angry and says ’If you think that’s why you were invited, then you can get out now!’ At this Rita realises that Frank invited her to contribute to their conversations, as she has a different aspect on literature. She realises he respects her for her intellect, but she has deeper issues with her family at the time and does not notice this straight away.
The turning point for the development of Rita’s education and her relationship with Frank is summer school. Before Rita goes to summer school she is not confident in her abilities in literature and she does not consider herself like the other students. However as soon as she returns, Act 2 Scene 1, Rita is describing to Frank how she asked questions in a lecture, ‘I don’t know what possessed me… but two thousand people had seen me stand up, so I did it, I asked him a question.’ This is something she would never have done earlier in a play and is therefore a very big development. Thus shows her confidence is growing and so is her knowledge of literature. Rita then goes on to say that she asked more than one question ‘I was askin’ questions all week, y’ couldn’t keep me down.’ This shows not only that her confidence and knowledge of literature are developing, but also that her thirst for knowledge and an education is still ever present.
Another development in the relationship of Frank and Rita is the introduction of Trish, Rita’s new flatmate. Rita describes this in Act 2 Scene1 ‘Trish, me flatmate… She moved into the flat with me just before I went to summer school.’ This shows Rita is making friends and that Frank is no longer the only intellect Rita knows. Therefore Frank is no longer the only person Rita can talk to, about literature and life in general. In addition Rita is extremely fond of Trish she describes her in Act 2 Scene1 using words such as ‘great’ ‘classy’ ‘tasteful’ she even compares Trish to Frank in the same scene ‘Y’ know like, she’s got taste, y’ know like you Frank, she’s just got it.’ Frank most probably feels threatened by Trish as she is almost taking Frank’s place, and starting to have a bigger influence on Rita, than Frank is. To continue this point, in Act 2 Scene 2 Rita adopts a posh voice and stops talking with a Liverpudlian accent. Rita claims she is ‘talking properly’. This is something Trish told her to do, however Frank asks her to talk normally again as he says he thinks it is ridiculous and Rita is talking like a ‘dalek’. However he is probably just jealous that Rita is taking advice and learning from someone other than himself, Trish. Rita ignores him and continues to speak in this new accent and states ‘Trish says that no matter how difficult I may find it I must persevere.’ This shows she is starting to value her friendship with Trish more than her friendship with Frank.
In Act 2 Scene 1 Rita gives Frank, in my opinion, a significant present, as it represents a major development in Rita and her relationship with Frank. She gives him an expensive pen with an engraving on it, which reads ’Must only be used for poetry. By strictest order – Rita’ This could be a thank you to Frank for all the help and knowledge he has given Rita or it may well represent the near end of the need, for Frank to teach Rita. Frank has given Rita all he can give, and perhaps Rita is suggesting he rekindles his love for poetry and resigns from being an O.U. tutor. Frank knows this and even acknowledges Rita’s inevitable departure. He states ‘I watch you walk away and disappear… Oh you will Rita you’ve got to… Your going is inevitable.’ Despite Frank’s acknowledgement of Rita’s inevitable departure he quickly changes the subject and starts to talk about Blake. This shows he is very emotionally attached to her and has learnt a lot about life from her, but he is willing to let her go, but wants to cherish every minute he has left with Rita.
Another major development for Rita is her becoming to feel like on of the other students. She says this in Act 2 Scene 1 ‘I’m havin’ the time of me life… I even feel young, you know like them down there.’ In this quotation Rita is referring to the other students below Frank’s office, on the grass. This shows her confidence in her abilities, in terms of literature and her ability to discuss it, has vastly increased. From the confused, uneducated young girl at the beginning, to a mature, educated woman now. In addition to this, in the same scene, Rita suggests that her and Frank, take their lesson outside to the grass below, where some of the other students sit. Rita says ‘Come on, let’s go an’ have the tutorial down there… on the grass – come on.’ However Frank totally refuses to go down there ‘Rita, I absolutely protest.’ This is another major development, as only two scenes ago in Act 1 Scene 7 Rita tells Frank about how she is only comfortable discussing literature in the comfort and environment of Frank’s office ‘I’m all right with you, here in this room; but when I saw those people… I would have seized up.’ In addition Frank is rather surprised by this. However only two scenes later, after summer school, Rita is suggesting that they leave the office. Frank is appalled by this suggestion, which is a total role reversal because of summer school and Rita’s new found confidence.
In Act 2 Scene 2 Rita has a major development when she actually goes and talks to some of the other students, which she used to be wary of. She states quite casually, as if it is not major step in her development ‘I started talking to some students down on the lawn.’ ‘I heard one of them sayin’ as a novel he preferred Lady Chatterley to Sons and Lovers. I thought, I can keep walkin’ and ignore it, or I can put him straight. So I put him straight!’ This is an amazing development from a few scenes back, where Rita is not even confident enough to speak about literature outside Frank’s office with Frank and a few friends. However now Rita is confident enough in her own abilities in literature, to confront some total strangers outside about it. However as a result of this Frank becomes jealous of her growing intellectual command and knowledge of literature
Despite all these developments Rita is making, she is still doing essays for Frank and she still values his opinion. At the very end of Act 2 Scene 2 Rita asks ‘What’s it like,’ referring to her essay, Frank replies ‘Oh it wouldn’t look out of place with these.’ Rita, very surprisingly, replies, ‘Honest?’ And Frank says ‘Dead honest.’ This small conversation shows Rita is confident in her abilities but she is not arrogant, and Frank likes that about her. This also shows that she not only values Frank’s opinion and his comments, but also still respects his intellect and knowledge.
As the play continues, Rita is becoming more independent and no longer needs Frank. Whereas Frank is becoming more dependent on Rita and when she is not there he turns back to the only other thing he is dependent on, alcohol. In Act 2 Scene 3 Frank is extremely drunk when Rita enters. This proves the point I made just before. Frank was giving a lecture when he was drunk, which is not something he would have done if Rita had not developed so much. Frank states ‘Pissed. I was glorious! Fell off the rostrum twice.’ However the changed Rita is not impressed by this act of defiance. Instead she is more concerned; she states ‘Will they sack you?’ This shows Rita is more cultured than she was earlier in the play. In Act 2 Scene 4, Frank shows the extent of his dependence upon Rita by desperately phoning Rita’s former workplace, in the hope of getting hold of her when she is late for a class. Frank says ‘When you were so late I phoned the shop. The hairdresser’s shop. Where you work. Or, I should say, worked.’ This shows Frank is extremely dependent on seeing Rita, whereas she is not really bothered about the classes at all. Also the fact that Frank did not know Rita had changed jobs is very much a break down in communication on Rita’s part and therefore a break down in their relationship.
Another development of Rita is when she starts to challenge Frank about the only subject where he was more confident, literature. She does this in Act 2 Scene 3 where Rita and Frank are discussing ‘The Blossom’ a poem by William Blake. Frank says ‘Rita The Blossom is simple is a simple uncomplicated…’ Rita interrupts by saying ‘Yeh, that’s what you say, Frank; but Trish and me and some others were talkin’ the other night, about Blake… Apart from the simple surface of Blake’s poetry there’s always a like… a like vein. Of concealed meaning.’ This shows Rita is starting to educate Frank and that she can now gain knowledge from other sources, such as Trish and other students. To continue this point, in the same scene Rita expresses that she has no need for Frank anymore she says ‘But you’ve got to leave me alone a bit. I’m not an idiot now, Frank I don’t need you to hold me hand as much.’ This shows Rita wishes to be more independent and expand her knowledge on her own. This also shows that Rita recognizes that Frank is dependent on her. Rita also recognizes that Frank has not developed a great deal throughout the play and still treats her the same as in the beginning of the play, despite Rita’s vast developments. She states ‘And you’re still treating me as though I’m hung up on Rubyfruit Jungle.’
Towards the very end of the play Frank’s development is complete when he finally acknowledges the completion of Rita’s education. He notifies the occasion by giving Rita a dress. In act 2 Scene 7 Frank states ‘It’s a dress really. I bought it some time ago, for an educated woman friend of mine.’ This shows Frank is no longer dependent on Rita and he is ready to move on and get on with his life. As for Rita, the final stage of her development in the play is complete, when she gives Frank a haircut. This is interesting, as of all the gifts at her disposal as an educated and ‘complete’ woman, Rita gives Frank the one thing she had at the beginning of the play. This shows she acknowledges Franks help and does not forget her roots and how far she has come to get to where she is now.
The success of this play is because of the author’s knowledge of the subject and the context he has written it in. As when the play was written, 1985, the O.U. was very topical and relevant to society. Also Willy Russell was once in a similar position to Rita, he was from Liverpool and a common, lower class background. Therefore he wrote not from imagination so much, but from his life experiences. Also like Rita he never went to the theatre or took much interest in literature. He also wanted to ‘sing a better song’ and was a hairdresser; however like Rita he persevered and enrolled in a course. The rest is history! This is why the development of Rita is so interesting, as Will Russell went through a very similar development process himself.
In conclusion, I believe, that in my opinion both Frank and Rita have changed for the better. Rita has achieved her goal of ‘singing a better song’ and Frank has now got a truer perspective on life as a result of Rita’s also he is generally less miserable and perhaps will give up the drink!
