Educating Rita

Educating Rita- Into the World

Into the World' explores aspects of change, transformation, personal growth and life transitions as we enter into new worlds. The prescribed text Educating Rita by Willy Russell explores the motion that through a change of world a challenge of authentic attitudes and beliefs can occur. The picture book The Red Tree by Shaun Tan allows us to explore the idea of. Through the transition confronted by the protagonists as they venture into new worlds, they are forced to overcome barriers and obstacles in order to gain a new sense of knowledge, attitude and beliefs towards a desired society.

Difficulties-

Russell describes the trials and transformations that Rita must pass through as she develops from a world of a lack of education into a world where she is a university student passing exams with distinction. Metaphorically symbolised by the stage direction of struggling with the door handle of Frank's study. "I'm comin' in, aren't I? It's that stupid bleedin' handle on the door. You wanna get it fixed!" demonstrates a barrier between her life and the life she aspires to have.

With Rita's use of slang and contractions of words "see if I'd started takin' school seriously I would have had to become different from me mates, an that's not allowed" it highlights the important issue that arises when an individual wants to venture into a new world; the individual must often make the transition without support and go against the wishes of their peers and family (Denny).

Transition

The second stage of transition demonstrates Rita's change in attitude towards society, her conformity with her 'new world' and rejection of her past. Rita's stage direction undergoes transformation in line with her education and increased confidence "I've begun to find me- an its great y' know, it is Frank. It might sound selfish but all I want for the time bein' is what I'm findin' inside me" This revelation of her alterations demonstrates Rita's excitement for the journey from one world into another.

The use of costuming and dialogue contrasts Rita's past and present mentality as she begins wearing bright coloured trendy clothes with her cockney accent and poor articulation she later moves to professional business like clothing and attempts to articulate her speech. Frank feels that Rita's "found a culture... a better song to sing" but has only conformed to the stereotypes of this new world Rita is experiencing.

"we dump that in the bin an we start again" is a physical sign and this is significant as Rita must cast herself in a new mould, she must go back to the beginning and reinvent herself in order to accomplish her

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