English Character Development and Conflict Analysis in Educating Rita

This essay provides an analysis of character development in the play 'Educating Rita,' focusing on the transformation of the protagonist, Rita, throughout the course of the play. The essay examines Rita's changes in attitude, language, education, and personal life, highlighting her initial dependence on her husband and her subsequent journey towards independence and self-discovery. It explores the conflicts arising from Rita's pursuit of education and personal growth, including her interactions with her tutor, Frank, and the impact of her changing social class. The essay also discusses Frank's reactions to Rita's development and the conflicts that arise from their relationship. Furthermore, it provides a conclusion summarizing Rita's overall development and the significance of her character arc within the play, supported by references to relevant scholarly articles and journals.

English Character
Development in Educating
Rita

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Passage showing Rita's development in play .............................................................................1
Hint of Frank' response...............................................................................................................2
Reasons why characters are adding conflicts and drama to the play..........................................2
Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................2
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................3

INTRODUCTION
Motivation of character is termed as a way in which playwright uses characterization as
tool for making interaction among characters (Arslan, 2015). This play is regarding educating
Rita and her development in character throughput the play.
Passage showing Rita's development in play
In the duration of the course play Rita has shown that she has accomplished what she
wanted. From Act 1 scene 1 of act, clearly indicates that drastic changes has been seen in Rita
(Guimaraes, 2014). Some of the changes are change in her attitude, change in language and
development in education. It has been noticed that her physical appearance, changes in her
personal life. In the starting of the play Rita was very much dependent on her husband Denny.
She was totally relying on her family for her needs. They were like hurdles in achieving her
desires. Her family was having some working-class beliefs which were stopping her form
achieving her ambitions. Her family was forcing her to focus on family rather than educating
herself.
Rita's husband has burnt all of her books. It is an example which is representing that how
she has denied the opinion of having children and focused on learning. In the middle of the play
the struggle of Rita can be seen that she opened the door for Frank's office for the first time she
went in. In this way, she showed that how learning was very much difficult for her. After
opening door, she asked that I 'm coming in, aren't I? There was a handle on the door which she
hasn't seen. Further in the play she makes an attempt to oil the door. It shows that how much she
was desperate to learn new things and it also represents that she wanted to use every device
which were required to accomplish her goals.
In the scene 6 she has changed her name from Rita to Susan (Arslan, 2015). At some
point in the play she was trying to be sophisticated. This shows that she was lacking in self-
confidence. At the end of the play she has discovered herself fully and she was determined for
everything she wanted to do. She has removed the hurdles which were trapping her to do things
she wanted to. From the overall drama it is clear that Rita made drastic changes in various
aspects which are education, personal life, physical appearance, talking style etc. At the end of
the play Rita was totally different as she has just started the course. She has accomplished her
goals and she was very much different form the original Rita.
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Hint of Frank' response
Frank is tutor of Rita in this play and he is addicted to drinking. In the act 3 Rita rushed
into the room for apologizing for coming late. Response of Frank was so positive and he replied
Rita that it does not matter. Frank has drawn her attention towards Ruby Fruit Jungle. Rita sued
to come to Frank's house for lessons (Hatton, 2013). Rita said to him that her husband Denny
does not like this. On hearing this Frank got annoyed and stressed. When Rita revealed that her
husband has burnt her books and stopping her to come for lessons Frank told her to return to
studies. As the time goes on Frank and Rita became good friends. Rita was very busy in her
education and she stooped meeting Frank on daily basis. It is the time when Frank was jealous of
her new friend Tyson. . Rita tried to explain that he was a good tutor but now she wants to learn
about life. On hearing this Frank was highly depressed.
Reasons why characters are adding conflicts and drama to the play
Character development in course of play are adding conflicts as the plays goes ahead. For
example, Rita's development in the education, learning, social class etc. All of these development
in the play has created conflicts. First conflict was seen in Rita’s family when she started going
for lessons. Her husband tried to has burnt her books. Second conflict occurred when Rita gets
indulged in her education and personal growth. She found new friend due to which Frank started
getting annoyed.
Time lien graph
Development fields Development in Rita
Education She has increased her education level.
Personal growth Freed herself from social limitations
Literature It has allowed her to remove the obstacles
coming in her way to achieve goals.
Social class Elevate class
Conclusion
It can be concluded form the report that Rita has developed herself a lot throughout the
play. Various Changes in Rita has been noted in the duration of course play.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Arslan, S., 2015. Educating Rita: The Muted Woman Raises Her Voice.Journal of Educational
and Social Research. 5(1 S1), p.111.
Guimaraes, A.M.M., 2014. Light! Camera! Education: The Use of Cinema to Enhance
Education and Learning.Epiphany. 7. (2).
Hatton, C., 2013. Educating Rita and her sisters: using drama to reimagine femininities in
schools.Research in Drama Education: The Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance.
18(2). pp.155-167.
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