The inside of the room would have been just as intimidating as the outside, as most of the walls are covered in dusty and important looking books, written by established, well known and highly respected writers. These books are held inside grand, old, wooden bookcases. There are also big windows, which Rita takes an interest in “I love that window, do you like it?” The window overlooks the university campus, and well kept lawns. This would impress Rita, as it reflects Frank’s superiority over the students, something that Rita would definitely enjoy having. Franks desk is also a prominent point in his room; it again highlights his superiority as it is cluttered with papers, which would impress Rita. This sophisticated and prestigious room was Rita’s first impressions Frank. She would have judged Frank on what she sees in the room, thinking that he is an equally superior, professional and sophisticated man.
Something that would have contrasted greatly to Rita’s first thoughts of Frank would have been the picture on the wall. Rita describes it as “Its very erotic” this maybe shows a different side of Frank, the side which isn’t the well educated, and sophisticated man he is meant to be. From this we begin to see that Rita is quite intelligent, by the way that she is appreciating and admiring the art, yet Frank totally disregards it, as he takes it for granted, and hasn’t given any thought to it.
The use of dialogue in Act 1 scene 1 also differentiates Frank and Rita further. Frank uses longer sentences and has an extensive vocabulary; unlike Rita he doesn’t use any abbreviations, and talks in plain Standard English. He admits to Rita that he regularly swears but he never does during the first act. On the other hand Rita has a very different style of language. Her pronunciation is poor; she regularly uses abbreviations, and swears all the time. The way that somebody talks is the main way that you are able to detect, the class or social status, which that person comes from. During scene one, most of the dialogue is Rita talking and Frank answering her questions; this shows her confidence around people. It could also be her way of dealing with nerves This is unusual because you would expect Frank to be the more confident one, as he is the teacher.
In Act 1 scene 6 Rita had been invited to a dinner party at Franks house with his wife and other guests. In Act 1 scene 7, Rita explains her reason for not turning up. Rita didn’t go to Frank’s dinner party because she felt that her dress, language and manners weren’t good enough for the people who were going to be at the party. She would like to fit into the middle classes, as she no longer feels like she fits into the working class to which she belongs. Rita again feels distanced because of the wine that she was going to take to the dinner party. “ It wouldn’t have mattered if you had walked in with any Spanish plonk.” stated Frank. However, Rita replies, “ It was Spanish” This would again disappoint Rita, as it is another knock back in her attempts to change her status.
In this scene the way that Rita talks changes dramatically. She talks more seriously about what she wants, tells Frank personal things about her, and talks in a more vulnerable fashion, compared to her confidence in earlier scenes. However, you can see that the phrasing of her sentences is improving, compared to earlier scenes. “ I can’t talk to the people I live with anymore. An’ I can’t talk to the likes of them on Saturday, or them out there, because I can’t learn the language. I’m a half caste.” This outburst of Rita’s portrays brilliantly her concerns about not fitting in. She knows that she doesn’t want to carry on her normal life with her husband. “ I told Denny that I was going to yours and he went mad.” Yet, she feels she is not ready, or educated enough to socialise with people like Frank. “ I wanna talk seriously with the rest of you. I don’t want to spend the night takin’ the piss, comin’ on with the funnies because that’s the only way that I can get into the conversation.” Rita does leave her husband, but she is still very critical of her learning and the work she produces. Throughout these scenes Frank reassures Rita that she is doing fine, and is genuinely great company for him too have. “ You were invited because I wished to have your company and if you can’t believe that then I suggest you stop visiting me, and start visiting an analyst who can cope with your paranoia.” Frank also attempts to praise Rita’s essays, as Rita is again very critical of them. “ No its not rubbish, It’s a totally honest, passionate account of your reaction to a play.” However, Frank does say that it might not be exactly what examiners are looking for, and this is what Rita is driven towards, passing exams. Frank tries to tell her that the way she writes is wonderfully unique “ In those terms its worthless. It shouldn’t be, but in its own terms its wonderful.”
In this scene we see the class barrier between Frank and Rita slowly closing, as we see Rita making life-changing decisions, and it seems that as this happens her style of language is starting to change too.
Rita and Frank are both very different people who come from very different backgrounds, yet we haven’t considered the fact that maybe they are actually quite alike. They both have very low self esteem and put themselves down. Rita, about her inability to learn, and Frank about the way he teaches, and his failed attempt to become a poet. Therefore they both turn to things that comfort them. Rita smokes and Frank drinks, both very bad for you, but can make you feel better. They also have similarities in their Marriages. Frank has left his wife, and Rita is on the verge of leaving her husband. Consequently, Rita and Frank find that they have a lot in common, and you can tell that Rita and Frank secretly thoroughly enjoy each other’s company.
In conclusion Willy Russell manages to convey his meaning brilliantly through the use of set design and dialogue. Using set design to show the class divides; he used the pretentious and majestic furniture of Frank’s study, to show the awe and appreciation that Rita has for the things. He uses language to show the two very different styles in which the talk, which portrays the two very different bringing ups that they have had, as well as their very different lifestyles.
