Change In Willy Russel's Educating Rita

Growing up involves change. Change happens to everyone, physically and mentally and it can happen at any time. As a person grows up they enter another phase of their life and they need to take their place in society. I will be talking about the play educating Rita by Willy Russel and relating it to the movie pretty woman by Garry marshal.

In educating Rita, Rita wants to change. She is being pressured by her husband Denny, to stay the same “he’s blind, he doesn’t want to see”. He’s happy living in the same old suburb watching the same old BBC programs, whereas Rita wants to discover herself. This discovery comes in the form of education. She wants to learn and she chooses frank as her teacher. Frank has problems of his own. He likes to drink
When we first meet Rita in the play, she struggles to open a door into franks study symbolising her entry into an unknown world. Frank takes on the role of sculptor and helps create a new woman, who does not feel a part of her family’s society: “ive been realising for ages that I was y’know slightly out of step.” Rita feels constricted by her husband Denny and the brand of humour that signifies her class attitudes and beliefs systems. For example, when discussing literature with frank, her ignorance is evident in comments such as: Howards end… sounds filthy, doesn’t
Whilst rita is an academic world of literature, Vivian is shown a world of power and money. At first, Edward shapes her into a model of his society but Vivian rebels, insisting she is not “some little toy”. While russel employs the Frankenstein motif, garry marshal creates a fairy tale world of riches and ruthless consumerism that Vivian eventually finds superficial. This is vivians turning point when Edward goes too far in his control over his creation: “ive never had anyone make me feel more and cheap as you made me feel today.” Like rita, Vivian has an impact on Edward and transforms him from ruthless and controlling character into a self-aware and worthwile person. Ritas metaphoric haircut for frank can be compared to vivians encouragement of Edward to remove his shoes and socks and walk on the grass barefoot. Edwards life has been