Educating Rita Essay Example for Free

Educating Rita EssayWilly Russels 1985 play Educating Rita is a grade of a womens struggle escape her repetitive thudding working class life and move into a wider, educated world. Russel uses characters, settings and many techniques to effectively explore this potentially knotty guinea pig in an interest and socialise sort. Into the world is a potentially difficult topic in that it involves individual, life-changing events that may become hard for the listening to relate to or understand. Russel avoids these problems by challenging stereotypes and melodrama by using characters in an interesting way. The play is a two-hander which means that only two characters are speaking in the play. By having only these two characters, it keeps the audience engaged and they become more familiar with the characters and can relate to them easier, sweet the audience. Other characters are mentioned, but are never seen in the actual play. The impertinent world is only seen through Franks and Ritas eyes, which interests the audience into learning the characters struggles and experiences. Russel uses genuinely good stage settings to make the play more interesting.The whole play organism set in one room, Franks office, is not very common in theatres or plays. Having this shocks the audience and instantly becomes more interesting because of its difference. On a symbolic level, the furniture is very interesting. The squeaky door represents a Franks barrier, and isolation from the outside world. The window, although transparent, represents a weaker barrier he has with his students. However, Rita finds her way in showing her determination from Franks lost spirit.This struggle of becoming a more educated person becomes interesting for the audience as they can compare it their own struggles Since the play has only two characters involved, the audience becomes very close to these characters, which makes it more interesting and socialize. Rita is a working class person who has a strong desire to learn everything. Her character is very entertaining because of how real and believable her character is. Her passion and very out there character drives her into pushing frank to teach her.This is seen when she oils the door, making it easier for her to enter into Franks office, or in a symbolic sense, remove and barriers. Humour is seen very much throughout the play. Rita, beingness very outspoken, says what is on her mind and speaks the truth about what she thinks. Coming from a lower class whence Frank, her understanding of certain things adds humour to the play, making it entertaining for the audience. This type of humour is displayed in the opening scene Is it supposed to be erotic This was the pornography of its day, wasnt it? when Rita is referring to a religious nude painting. Although being very outspoken, Frank realises her truthfulness and laughs. It is entertaining for the audience for someone from the working class to say their opinions on a r eligious artwork without taking into any attachment of what it might represent or what value it might be worth. Humour is also seen through Frank to make this play more entertaining. Frank, being a grumpy old teacher, is sick of his boring life. He constantly hides his whisky behind books , Dickens which can symbolise his shame.Frank uses a lot of mockery which makes this play more entertaining for the audience Yes, thats it, just pop off and put your head in the oven. Another aspect of this play which makes it interesting is that fact that the characters challenge stereotypes. Russel has portrayed Frank as a smart, sophisticated teacher who would not do much wrong. However, he hides alcohol behind high-level education books. By challenging a stereotype like this, it keeps the audience on their toes in wondering what he will do next.Characters of his knowledge are stereotypically portrayed as happily married, however he is not. This is seen by him constantly going to the pub and d rinking throughout the play. The plot of Educating Rita is a potentially difficult topic to make interesting and entertaining to the reader. The overall plot is Rita learning as much as she can from a grumpy old teacher who isnt happy with his life, but thinks that Rita is a fresh breath into his office. This story is very interesting because it makes a potentially difficult topic into a comedy, which makes it entertaining.Ritas accent fits very well with the plot of a lower class person trying to achieve a better education, but is very unique to see in a theatre play. However, because of the accent, the audience becomes interested in the difference. Another aspect that Russel focuses on is avoiding melodrama. In many plays and shows seen today, the drama in the story is blown up and over exaggerated. However, in educating Rita it is completely opposite. This is seen when Rita and Denny fight. Frank says Lets leave it for tonight.Lets go to the pub and drink pots of Guinness and ta lk. Rita then replies with Ive got to do this Frank. Ive got to. Her strong passion motivates and interests the audience because they may have faced similar struggles. Although Into the World is a very difficult topic to achieve, Russel has managed to make it both interesting and entertaining. Two-hander plays are difficult to capture personal changes however through plot, characters, symbolism and the idea of challenging stereotypes, Russel is able to turn it into an engaging story.