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Exploring How the Characters of Frank and Rita Change Throughout Willy Russell's Educating Rita

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Exploring How the Characters of Frank and Rita Change Throughout Willy Russell's Educating Rita

Willy Russell wrote educating Rita, and whilst it is not autobiographical, it is based on his own life and experiences.

After a miserable time at school Willy Russell tried a variety of jobs, but eventually settled for being a ladies' hairdresser. Like Rita, he was determined to become educated and so he studied for a degree with the Open University and became an educated writer.

In the first scene the audience is introduced to Frank who is seemingly searching for a misplaced novel (typical of all teachers you might say!). However, it doesn't take long for that illusion to disappear as we find that …show more content…

This symbolises Rita struggling to get into education, but also shows her determination to do so. Early on Rita appears confident, but as we later find, there is a certain insecurity about her, which is one of the reasons why she chooses to go to University. To become more confident and 'classy;

Rita is unlike anyone that Frank has ever met before. She is loud, rude and openly swears in front of Frank as well as talking casually to him as if they had known each other for years. We forget that she is there for an interview! Rita feels comfortable with Frank and he views her as a breath of fresh air.

Rita idolises Frank and wants to be a classy educated woman. She wants to change! Rita is very naïve by judging people going to the hairdressers, saying that they want to come out as different people, whereas it is her wanting to march into the University and leave as a different person.

There is a connection between Rita and Frank straight away. This is proven when Frank refuses to teach Rita - he believes she deserves a better tutor than him - and Rita replies by insisting on Frank becoming her tutor.

They are the ultimate odd couple, both from completely different backgrounds and cultures, but they have one key similarity - neither of them fit in with their own people. Rita refuses to settle for routine life in Liverpool and Frank is sick of the

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