educating rita explicit teaching unit

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Module: Into the World Prescribed Text: Educating Rita Act 1 Comprehension Questions and Important Ideas..................2 Important quotes from Act 1, Scene 1:..............................3 Important quotes from Act 1, Scene 2:..............................6 Educating Rita Quotes Quiz.........................................7 Educating Rita Quotes Cloze Quiz...................................8 Act 2 Comprehension Questions.....................................17 Challenges/Obstacles that Frank and Rita encounter................26 Rewards : Frank and Rita..........................................27 List of Quotes for Frank and Rita .................................28 Frank.............................................................28 Rita:.............................................................29 1

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Page 1: Educating Rita Explicit Teaching Unit

Module:

Into the World

Prescribed Text: Educating Rita

Act 1 Comprehension Questions and Important Ideas..........................................................................2

Important quotes from Act 1, Scene 1:.................................................................................................3

Important quotes from Act 1, Scene 2:.................................................................................................6

Educating Rita Quotes Quiz...................................................................................................................7

Educating Rita Quotes Cloze Quiz..........................................................................................................8

Act 2 Comprehension Questions.........................................................................................................17

Challenges/Obstacles that Frank and Rita encounter..........................................................................26

Rewards : Frank and Rita.....................................................................................................................27

List of Quotes for Frank and Rita.........................................................................................................28

Frank....................................................................................................................................................28

Rita:.....................................................................................................................................................29

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Page 2: Educating Rita Explicit Teaching Unit

Educating Rita

Into the World

Act 1 Comprehension Questions and Important Ideas

Act 1, Scene 1 Comprehension 1-14

1. What can we deduce about Frank’s character and attitude to his job by his hiding the alcohol hidden behind literature?

2. What is Frank’s attitude towards his girlfriend Julia? Provide a quote that supports your opinion.

3. Describe the interaction between Frank and Rita in Scene 1. 4. Franks says of the painting “I don’t think I have looked at it for about ten years, but yes, I

suppose it is [erotic}”. What conclusion can we make about Frank not having noticed the painting for ten years? (think about the module ‘Into the World)

5. Why is Frank taking an Open University student?6. How does Rita describe students who attend ‘the ordinary students’?7. What does Rita want from her education? Give a quote that supports your answer.8. Rita talks about change. Where does she say change occurs? Give a quote to support your

answer.9. Frank and Rita mention obstacles that they face in their lives. What are these obstacles?

Give a quote to support your opinion.10. What is your first impression of Frank and Rita? Give evidence for this opinion. (1 paragraph

for each)

Important Ideas in Act 1 Scene 1:

1. Symbolism of the door and room, desire for education to change ones world and find oneself, self-loathing, haircut

Symbolism is very important in this play. During each scene note down any new symbols and the recurrence of existing ones. You should be able to readily interpret the symbols in your extended responses.

1. Explain the symbolism of the door. Look for this symbol reoccurring in Act 1, Scene 2.2. Rita says in Scene 1 that she loves the room. Why might Rita love the room that Frank clearly

has no payed much attention do? What worlds does this room represent?3. What is self-loathing? Does this apply to Frank or Rita or both? Explain your opinion and give

evidence in quotes to support your answer.4. Rita desires to change her world. What is the answer that she is seeking?5. Why does Rita offer Frank a haircut?

9dead perverted 3, dead quiet,

Examples of Rita’s language – ‘dead serious, dead surprised’ – take note where in the play Frank imitates these expressions. While reading list all Rita’s ‘dead…’ expressions

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Important quotes from Act 1, Scene 1:Quote Context and Meaning

‘that’s no good always meaning to is it?...and you won’t be able to get out’ p. 2

‘an y’ call it rubbish cos that’s what it looks like? Cos y’ don’t understand’

‘God what’s it like to be free’

But if y’ want to change y’ have to do it from the inside don’t y? p.11

“I think you’re the first breath of fresh air that has been in this room for years” p.11

‘I’ve been realizin for ages that I was, y’ know slightly out of step…See I wanna discover meself first…’ p.12

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Suggested Answers

1. Hides his addiction behind a façade of learning. Come to a realisation that his position, he is cynical about his world. Full of self-loathing.

2. Many quotes possible – general idea of indifference – patronising attitude. ‘Pop off and put your head in the oven’.

3. Discuss concept of status – high/low. Who is high and who is low? Frank is unsettled by Rita as she is unorthodox.

4. His world (the room) – ignorance of his surroundings, hasn’t reflected on his life, drinks to escape his life, stuck and uninspired in his work – he is doing nothing except scraping through.

5. Needs the money6. ‘Real students’7. She wants to understand/see or to be set free. P6/78. ‘You have to do it from the inside’9. Rita – background/husband. P12. Frank – self. p.13 10. Answers vary

Ideas and Symbols

1. Door – opportunity – Rita is bursting through, struggling to get into the educated world2. Room – represents the academic and intellectual world that Rita wishes to belong to. Frank

is stuck and uninspired in it.3. Mostly to Frank. P.134. She believes that education is the key to her ‘moving into the world.

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Act 1, Scene 2 Comprehension p14-23

1. How do we know that Frank is waiting for Rita at the beginning of Scene 2?2. What is significant about Rita fixing the door? What does she realise about Frank?

How does this connect with Frank and the concept of ‘Into the World’?”3. Rita expresses a desire to have a room like Frank’s one day. Why?4. Who does Rita connect the lawn with?5. Why didn’t Rita become a ‘proper student’? What were the obstacles she

encountered?6. Give a quote where Rita compares internal change and external change? What

conclusions does she draw about external changes?7. Franks speaks explicitly about his self-loathing. Write the quote that demonstrates

this.8. What does Frank mean when he says to Rita that “possessing a hungry mind is not,

in itself, a guarantee for success? P.239. What is the problem that keeps occurring during the tutorial?

Important ideas and Symbols

1. Internal and external change, the dress, obstacles that Rita faces, the door, the grass,

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Important quotes from Act 1, Scene 2:Quote Context and Meaning

‘I was just oilin’ it for y’, I knew you wouldn’t get round to it’ p.15

‘If I’d started taking school seriously, I would have had to become different from me mates, an’ that’s not allowed’ p.17

‘By your mates, by your family, by everyone’ p.17

‘y have to decide whether it’s gonna be another change of dress or a change in yourself’ p.18

‘I like her enormously its myself I’m not too fond of’ p.22

‘there’s less to me than meets the eye’ p.22

‘possessing a hungry mind is not, in itself, a guarantee for success’ p.23

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Educating Rita Quotes Quiz

Name: Total: /10

Write 10 quotes from the play in the space below

1. __________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. __________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. __________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. ________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. _________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. _________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. __________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. _____________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Educating Rita Quotes Cloze Quiz

Complete the quotes given below

1. “Possessing a ________________________________________________________________

2. “y’ have to decide whether_____________________________________________________

3. “If I’d started taking school seriously______________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

4. “By your mates_______________________________________________________________

5. “__________________________________________ I knew you wouldn’t get round to it”

6. “But if you want______________________________________________________________

7. “I think you’re the first_________________________________________________________

8. ___________________________________________________ cos you don’t understand”

9. “I’ve been realizin for ages that__________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

10. ___________________________________________________________________________

_____________you won’t be able to get out”

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Act 1 Scene 3 Comprehension p24-26

1. What is the main problem with Rita’s essay?2. Frank says Rita mentioned in her essay a novel called Sons and Lovers. Who wrote

this novel? Why is this ‘in her favour’?3. What ‘lesson’ does Rita learn in this scene?

Act 1 Scene 4 Comprehension p.26-32

Dead busy, dead narked, dead interested

1. Why does Rita write her essays at work? What is the challenge/obstacle that she is enduring?

2. Frank says that there is an “accepted ritual, it’s a game, with rules and you must observe those rules” when speaking about succeeding in extended response writing? What are those rules that Frank has mentioned thus far and that you currently personally know?

3. What is the disease that Rita is talking about in her long speech on page 30?4. Why does Denny hate Rita going to Open University?5. Why didn’t Frank just tell Rita the answers? How does this connect to ‘Into the

world’?6. Find five (5) quotes from these two scenes and complete the table as done

previously.

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Important quotes from Act 1, Scene 3 and 4:

Quote Context and Meaning

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Act 1 Scene 5 Comprehension p.32-38

1. What obstacle do we learn about Rita facing in this scene?2. What reason does Rita give for being too busy to have an affair?3. Denny says to Rita that “I wouldn’t put it past you to shack up with a foreigner”.

What has he misunderstood?4. What does Rita say about the person Denny married?5. What does Rita say she is gaining from the course?6. Why does Frank drink?

Synthesis

1. Create a list of the things that Frank and Rita have in common. For example – unstable relationship etc.

2. Create a table that identifies all the challenges that Rita and Frank have to face individually? Which of the two do you think has the more difficult challenges to face?

Dead excited

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Important quotes from Act 1, Scene 5:

Quote Context and Meaning

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Act 1 Scene 6 Comprehension p.38-42

1. What play did Rita see?2. Discuss the meaning of the quote that she recites.3.3.

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Quotes

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Act 1 Scene 7 and 8 Comprehension p.43-48

1. Why didn’t Rita turn up to Frank’s place for dinner?2. How does Rita feel about herself at this point in the play? Give at least quotes to

support your opinion.3. What does Rita decide at the pub? P.454. Why do you think her mother’s dramatic changes impacted Rita’s decision?5. What ultimatum occurred in scene 8?6. What is the problem with Rita’s Macbeth essay? How does Frank feel about it? P.47-

487. What is the warning that Frank gives Rita about passing exams?8. What kind of attitude does Rita demonstrate at the end of Act 1?

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Important Quotes from Act 1 Scenes 7 and 8

Quote Context and Meaning

‘But I don’t want to be myself. Me? What’s me?

‘I’m a freak. I can’t talk to the people I live with anymore…or them out there cause I can’t learn the language. I’m a half-caste’ p.45

‘and I stood in that pub an thought, just what the frig am I trying to do? Why don’t I just pack it in an stay with them, an join in the singing’ p.45

‘to pass examinations, you’re going to have to suppress, perhaps even abandon your uniqueness. I’m going to have to change you’

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Act 2 Comprehension QuestionsAct 2, Scene 1 Comprehension (dead scared, dead clever, dead familiar, dead classy, dead unpretentious, dead good, dead happy)

1. What is Frank doing at the beginning of Act 2? (Look at the stage directions). What does this indicate about him?

2. Why is Frank writing poetry? What might his poetry be about?3. What is ‘new’ about Rita when she enters? What does this indicate?4. Why does Rita want to sit on the grass?5. Has Frank started reforming himself? Explain your opinion.6. What prevents the tutorial from occurring?7. Drags out of chair/won’t budge QUESTION HERE

Brief suggested Answers

1. Writing poetry. Suggestions of inspiration, change, moving back into his world of literature, writing, teaching etc

2. Rita has inspired him. It might be about her. (Answers vary)3. Second hand clothes. She said she would buy a ‘new’ dress until she passed her

exams. This is a way around this issue. It is not ‘new’ but it is new for her. Indicates a change in personality as well as a shift in ideals

4. To be a proper student. She begins to demonstrate that she needs more than Frank can give her. She needs and wants more ‘air’

5. Yes/No – he admits that when she is not around he is hopeless (essentially). Not a true reformation just yet.

6. Rita has already done the work.

Looking deeper

1. How is Frank’s behaviour different from earlier in the play. Compare how Rita enters and Frank’s behaviour in each of the earlier scenes.

2. The grass is a symbol of what?3. What is the meaning behind Rita wanting to open the window and bring more air in?

(Remember what Frank says about Rita in Act 1, Scene 1)4. Look at page 52 where Rita tries to get Frank to go outside. What is symbolic about this

exchange? 5. How satisfying is the resolution at the end of the scene.6. Identify factors in this scene that begin to demonstrate Frank’s diminishing influence

on Rita?

Brief suggested Answers

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1. Rita gives Frank her coat and he hangs it up. Every other occasion until now she has hung her coat up. Indentifies the change in the power relationship between the two characters

2. Being a proper student3. More inspiration.4. Creates tension. Many things unsaid – nothing achieved for any character5. Entrance, coat, blake, grass, chair

Act 2, Scene 2 Comprehension

1. Why is Rita talking in a different voice? What does this illustrate about her growth or decay as a character?

2. What expression does Frank use at the end of the play? What is the significance of this with regard to Frank and Rita?

3. What is on Rita’s back? How does this connect to Act 1, Scene 7? What does this represent her becoming?

Act 2, Scene 3 Comprehension

1. Why is Frank unravelling? What do you think is the catalyst for this?2. What is the problem that Frank has with Rita’s essay? 3. Who is the high status character in this scene?4. What does Rita assert that she can do now?5. Whose opinions have changed the most at this point of the play. Justify your

response?6. A role reversal has begun to occur in the play. What is it?

Act 2 Scene 4 Comprehension

1. How has Rita and Frank relationship changed? List all the evidence for this change.2. Rita says to Frank “they’re not trapped – they’re too young for that. And I like to be

with them”. What is the implied criticism here?3. How accurate are Rita’s perceptions of Frank? Justify your opinion with reference to

the play.

Act 2 Scene 5 Comprehension

1. What is it about Rita that distresses Frank so much?2. Explain the allusion to Mary Shelley?3. Why does Frank suggest those three particular names at the end of the scene?4. Write down three important quotes from this scene.

Act 2 Scene 7 Comprehension

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1. In what ways has education changed Rita for the better, and in what ways has it had a negative effect?

2. What has getting to know Rita taught Frank?3. How do you respond to the end of the play? Is it an optimistic conclusion, a cosy one,

an anti-climax, a disturbing final note. How would you have ended the play?4. What is significant about the gifts that Frank and Rita exchange?5. Select three important quotes from this scene that relate to the module “Into the

World”.

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Important quotes from Act 2

Quote Context and Meaning

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Post Reading Activities

1. Hot seat the characters Frank and Rita.2. Write Rita’s letter of application to Open University. Make sure you include

reference to the play (quotes) in your response. 3. In groups of two or three select extracts from the play that indicate Frank’s growing

unease with Rita Then hot seat Frank or Rita and share with your group.4. IN pairs take on the role of Denny and a friend he trusts. Have Denny explain the

problems Rita is giving him and the advice given by his friend.5. Freeze Frames – Create a series of freeze frames based on the play and the

symbolism used. Think about all the window incidents (office, dinner party, pub). How are these scenes different? How can you demonstrate Rita’s isolation

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Post Reading Activities

1. Parallels between the scenes 2. Symbolism/Change of status? HOW drama is created? (conflict/status/etc) 3. Rewards, Obstacles, Challenges 4. Past Paper Questions 5. HSC samples 6. Quote test/ Main ideas in text test 7. Workplace text types 8. Related Material

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Act 1 Act 2Scene 1 Franks says of Rita:

“First breath of fresh air that has been in this room for years” p.11Rita says to Frank:“Y’ need air in here, Frank. The room needs airing” p. 53

Scene 2 Rita talking about her desire to be ‘a proper student’“I love that lawn down there. When it’s summer do they sit on it?”…“The ones who come here all the time. The proper students” p16.“…you have to learn criticism” p.18

Frank asks Rita why she has grass on her. Acting like ‘a proper student’

“Yeh. I got her early today. I started talking to some students down on the lawn” p.57

“Oh – it – erm – wouldn’t look out of place with these” p.59 (proper essay/learnt criticism)

Scene 3 Frank told Rita to reference to other authors. Rita references pulp fiction authors. Frank discusses with Rita that not all books are literature. She needs to do more than devour pulp fiction. She eventually decides to never read pulp again.

“-But they’re all books aren’t they?”“-Yes. Yes. But you seem to be under the impression that all books are literature. P.25“Right. That’s it, I’ll never read a Robbins novel again” p.26

Conflict between Frank and Rita regarding consulting recognised authorities. Eventual discussion about the first book that Rita mentioned in Act 1 ‘Rubyfruit Jungle’. Reversal of Roles – Rita teaches Frank

(Rita) “Your’e still treating me as though I’m hung up on Rubyfruit Jungle…”

(Frank) “I got around to reading it you know, Ruby Fruit Jungle. It’s excellent.(Rita) Oh go way, Frank. Of its type it’s quite interesting. But it’s hardly excellent. P.63

Scene 4 One line essay – no time at home or work. Denny won’t let her do it at home

Rita arrives late to class

Scene 5 Discusses Frank and poetry and why he stopped writing p.35. He says he got it wrong.

P67 – Rita’s opinion on Frank’s poetry. She says it’s brilliant, he says it is crap.

Teacher Copy of parallels between the scenesFind parallel ideas in the corresponding scenes to Act 1 in Act 2

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Act 1 Act 2Scene 1 Franks says of Rita:

“First breath of fresh air that has been in this room for years” p.11

Scene 2 Rita talking about her desire to be ‘a proper student’

“I love that lawn down there. When it’s summer do they sit on it?”…“The ones who come here all the time. The proper students” p16.

“…you have to learn criticism” p.18

Scene 3

Frank told Rita to reference to other authors. Rita references pulp fiction authors. Frank discusses with Rita that not all books are literature. She needs to do more than devour pulp fiction. She eventually decides to never read pulp again.

“-But they’re all books aren’t they?”“-Yes. Yes. But you seem to be under the impression that all books are literature. P.25“Right. That’s it, I’ll never read a Robbins novel again” p.26

One line essay – no time at home or work. Denny won’t let her do it at

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Scene 4 home

Scene 5Discusses Frank and poetry and why he stopped writing p.35. He says he got it wrong.

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Challenges/Obstacles that Frank and Rita encounter

Frank Rita Self loathing

Self belief that he is a failure

Cynical attitude towards Open

University

Lack of engagement in his work.

Stuck and uninspired (has not noticed

his room for year, Act 1, i)

Dependence upon Rita for meaning.

Needs to find resilience himself as

she finds her own voice and

independence by the end of the play.

Rita’s increasing independence and

rejection of him.

Alcoholism – symbol of his spiral and

self-esteem. Replaces his writing with

alcohol

Rediscover his ‘voice’ i.e. to write

again

Stop driving people away – rejects

people when feels threatened.

Poor at managing relationships

(platonic and romantic)

Self esteem that she cannot achieve

Family and friends are obstacles in her

education (from school to university).

Her own lack of education

Relationship – burning books, ultimatum

to stop studying, must have a child

Struggle to maintain the goal and slip

into ‘normal’ habits

Time to study – has to complete

university work while at the hairdresser

Feeling isolated from everyone and

everything – a ‘half-caste’

Personal blindness – accepts without

questioning and then hates what she has

accepted being questioned by Frank

Persuaded by ‘trendy ideas’ from

university friends. Rejection of her old

world

Desire for independence from Frank

Regain her uniqueness (end of play)

Burns her bridges by the end of Act 1 to

her old world

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Rewards : Frank and RitaFrank Rita

Begins to write again (Act 2, i)

Enjoys his teaching – looks forward to

Rita arriving.

Demonstrates that he is a good teacher

– confirmed by Rita at the end of the

play

Breaks destructive cycle in his

relationships – (reminds Rita about her

examination - still

Has a new beginning in Australia.

Optimism and hope

Gets out of the room that he was stuck

in – engages with his work and student.

Independence – an educated woman,

capable of determining her future

herself

Choice – empowered in life to seek her

own goals (quote at the end of the play)

Retains uniqueness and gains more –

choice, freedom, independence,

understanding

Capable of self analysis and reflection

Comfortable moving into the

academic world – no longer

struggling at the door

Is a ‘real’ student, no longer looking

at the window at them on the grass

Things lost during transition ‘into the world’

Frank Rita Relationship with Julia

Occupation at current university.

Goes to Australia for a new beginning

Husband – Denny

Old social class

Part of her uniqueness?

Connection to own family? Or is it

just different?

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List of Quotes for Frank and Rita

Frank“Oh God why did I take this on” p2

“I don’t need determination to get me into a pub” p2

“I suppose I always mean to…” – lacks motivation and dedication (referring to the door that he means to fix. He is stuck in the room and Rita recognises this and so she fixes it)

“I think it’s very beautiful” – evasive: won’t commit

“It really depends on you, on how committed you are” p11 (Rita asks whether he believes she has it in her to change herself) – shows his lack of commitment

“…you’re the first breath of air that’s been in this room for years” p. 11

“You have to begin to discipline that mind of yours” p20

“I like her enormously, it’s myself I’m not too fond of” p22 (self esteem)

“Possessing a hungry mind is not, in itself, a guarantee of success” p23 (instructing Rita that she needs more than simple desire)

“I could have told you; but you’ll have a much better understanding of something if you discover it in your own terms” p31

“To pass examinations, you’re going to have to supress, perhaps even abandon your uniqueness” p48

“Rita: I thought you had started reforming yourself.Frank: Under your influence? – Act 2, i. p54 (Beginning of Frank’s diminished influence on Rita and Frank’s decline)

“Dead honest” p59 – Frank imitating Rita’s language

“Assonance means getting the rhyme wrong” p60 – Frank drunk in the lecture. 2nd occasion imitating Rita.

Role reversal (Rita teaching Frank) – in act one he was instructing her not to be subjective. She now teaches him this lesson

F: “It’s not – not wrong. But I don’t like it”R: You’re being subjective” p62indicates Rita’s growing confidence and Rita’s influence over Frank(?)F: I got around to reading Ruby fruit Jungle. It’s excellentR: Oh go way, Frank. Of its type it’s quite interesting. But it’s hardly excellent” p63

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Rita recognising that Frank is trapped, justifies why she hasn’t seen Frank as much and why she hangs out with the other students

“…they’re passionate about things that matter. They’re not trapped – they’re too young for that. And I like to be with them”

innuendo is that frank is trapped – Frank wants to talk about her job etc, whereas she wants to talk about literature. Role reversal from Act 1.

Frank recognising Rita’s aversion“You can hardly bear to spend a moment here can you?” p65

Frank thinks that he has created a monster jokes that she should call him “Mary Shelley” p68

Franks is writing poetry at the beginning of Act 2. (See stage notes). This is important! You you should know about this! It marks a change in him. Why is he writing poetry? What might the subject of his poetry be? Who has inspired him?

Rita:“I’m comin’ in aren’t I?” – rhetorical question (Door a metaphor for education and opportunities)

“that’s no good always meanin’ to, is it”

“an’ you won’t be able to get out.”

“…y call it rubbish cos that’s what it looks like? Cos y don’t undertstand. So y’ switch it off and say that’s fuckin’ rubbish” p6

“God what’s it like to be free” p7

“But if you want to change y’ have to do it from the inside, don’t y’” – p11

“I’ve been realisin for ages that I was, y’ know, slightly out of step…see I wanna discover meself first” p12

“I’ll bring me scissors next week and give y’ a haircut” p 14

“Hello. I was just oilin’ it for y’ I knew you wouldn’t get around to it” – perceives Franks lack of motivation to change.

“I’m gonna have a room like this one day” –p15

“She said I was off me cake” p16

“I would have had to become different from me mates, an’ that’s not allowed”

“So y’ never admit that school could be anythin’ other than useless” p17

“…have to decide whether it’s gonna be another change of dress or a change in yourself”

“Can’t we do something I like?” – p20

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“…you mean…a bit of slap and tickle with the lads as long as you don’t go home an’ tell your mum?” p26

“It makes me stronger coming here. That’s what Denny’s frightened of” p31

“its not taking the place of life, its providing me with life itself…he wants me to stop rocking the coffin, that’s all” p34

(Rita quotes Macbeth on page 39 – Macbeth’s soliloquy about life being meaningless and brief)

“”What shall I wear” p42 – In response to Frank’s invitation to come around for dinner. Indicates the barrier that still exists for Rita between social classes that she has reverted to thinking about appearance

“I don’t want to be myself. Me? What’s me?” p45

“I’m a half caste” p45

“Y’ need air in here, Frank. The room needs airing” p53 – (exchange between Frank and Rita – Rita attempts but cannot open it and states that “it won’t bleedin budge” Frank asserts that it hasn’t been opened for generations” – metaphor for Franks stubbornness. He has been stuck in that room and it is Rita (she causes his spiral) that will eventually get him out and ‘into the air”

This exchange crucially happens at the point where Rita wants to go outside and sit on the grass (desire of Act 1) – they don’t go but in the next scene Rita has been on the grass.

“He was an idiot. His argument just crumbled. It wasn’t just me – everyone else agreed with me” p58

(Rita’s growing confidence and lack of confidence in Act 1)

Frank “…you used to be quite wary of them didn’t you”Rita “God knows why. For students they don’t half come out with some rubbish” p57

“I don’t need you” p68 (Rita to Frank)

“You think I ended up with a load of quotes and empty phrases, an’ I did. But that wasn’t your doin’. I was so hungry. I wanted it all so much that it didn’t want it to be questioned.” P71

compare with Frank’s remark in Act 1 p23 that “having a hungry mind is not a guarantee of success”. Rita has learned this lesson

Rita empowered by her education:“I had a choice. I chose, me. Because of what you’d given me I had a choice” p72

“I might go to France. I might have a baby. I dunno. I’ll make a decision. I’ll choose”

END – both exchange gifts – external presents representing the internal change that has occurred in both.

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Symbolism in the play

The door – Rita opening it and saying she is coming in. Represents the world of opportunities that are going to open up for her due to entering through the door into the educated world.

For Frank, it is about how he is stuck in the room. Rita recognises this and oils it for him the next time. She fixes the door – metaphor for Rita is going to be the catalyst for Frank to ‘get out’ – even if

Air/WindowRita is breath of fresh air for Frank (act 1). In Act 2 Rita tries to open the window (she wants

more than Frank can give – is searching out any and every idea. Connects with various quotes on hunger and learning

Grass/proper students Apple/Knowledge p39/40/41

Apple of knowledge – Rita learning’ Gifts of dress and haircut

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