ACT ONE 1- Right from the start, the reader can sense that Ritas lexicon, which is full

of slang, is distinctively different than that of Frank, which, in turn, seems to be polite, refined and witty at the same time. This unique sort of lexicon they use to express themselves, lead us to believe that they come from different social backgrounds. For example: RITA Thats a nice picture, isnt it? FRANK Ermyes, I suppose it isnice RITA (studying the picture) its very erotic FRANK (looking up) Actually I dont think Ive looked at it for about ten years, but yes, I suppose it is. RITA Theres no suppose about it. Look at those tits. He (frank) coughs up and goes back to look for the admission paper Also, Rita guessed that Frank was the type of person who would watch the BBC rather than the ITV channel, meaning that the BBC public is either wealthier or more educated than those who regularly watch ITV. And lastly, she jokingly referred to him as flora-man meaning somebody who supposedly came from a middle-upper class background and ate healthier foods. As flora is, according to the play, a popular brand of margarine. 2- Rita seemed rather dissatisfied with the life that she has had. Her husband whom she describes as being thick; not very bright; seemed to just want to settle down and have kids; live an ordinary life. But Rita, unlike her husband, wanted more than that. She felt the need of becoming more literate, as she seemed to believe that by learning literature shed become a first-class citizen; that it would put a meaning into her life. RITA Ill have to learn about it all, won I? Yeh. Its like y sit there, dont y, watchin the ballet or the opera on the telly an an y call it rubbish cos thats what it looks like? Cos y dont understand. So y switch it off an say, thats fuckin rubbish. 3- While Franks first impression was of shock, he becomes very fond of her as the story evolves. She was noisy, spontaneous, loud and funny; even when she didnt mean to be. He felt as though she was like a burst of fresh air in his life. 4- The first indication that Frank and Rita were warming to one another could have been when Frank, evidently delighted with the

conversation, confessed to Rita that he thought she was marvellous and cute. For example: RITA Tch. What y lookin at me for? FRANK BecauseI think youre marvellous. Do you know, I think youre the first breath of air thats been in this room for years. 5- Frank does not thwart Ritas pursuit of knowledge. However, Ritas pursuit is rather broad, and, Frank seems to be reluctant to take such responsibility. He argues that he should not have taken that job in the first place; that the time schedule was crazy; and that he would rather be at the pub instead. This is reflected when he says: Ill make a bargain with you. Yes? Ill tell you every-thing I knowbut if I do that you must promise never to come back here . . . You see I neverI didnt actually want to take this course in the first place. I allowed myself to be talked into it. I knew it was wrong. Seeing you only confirms my suspicion. My dear, its not your fault 6- Ritas views on society are varied, she seems to be convinced that by learning about arts and literature with Frank, she will be able to escape from her realityA reality she describes as shallow, with no meaning, pointless. Frank tries to assure her that she has a culture nevertheless, but she would not see it as such. Frank, on the other hand, seems to be thirsty of that simplicity and freedom surrounding Rita. Frank, despite his education, all he longs for towards the end of the day is to go to the pub and drink, forget, and get through the week, just like the people around Rita. I dont see any, y know, culture. I just see everyone pissed, or on the Valium, tryin to get from one day to the next.. Theres like this sort of disease, but no one mentions it; everyone behaves as though its normal, y know, inevitable that theres vandalism an violence an houses burnt out an wrecked by the people they were built for. Theres something wrong Rita Assonance is like getting a rhyme wrong. Rita. 7- Tension in between Rita and her husband Danny had been growing for some time, but it wasnt until we discover that Danny had burned her books that we start to become concerned about his behaviour towards her.

We are lead to believe that Danny fears that an educated Rita would rapidly grow independent from him, and probably, seek for different things in life other than settling down and having children. Rita, however, is determined to obtain the education shes been longing for, at any cost. Rita is aware of this tension, and she knows that her course of studies is the reason her marriage is bound to fail, and while she feels sorry for Danny, she knows that she would feel much sorrier for herself -- if she gave up her studies for the sake of her relationship with Danny.-Rita enters the room carrying a suitcase FRANK Where are you going? RITA Me mothers. FRANK -- Whats wrong? (After a pause) Rita! RITA I got home from work, hed packed me case. He said either I stop comin here an come off the pill or I could get out altogether. He said its warped me. He said Id betrayed him. I suppose I have. I know hes right. But I couldnt betray meself. 8- I imagine that Frank became obsessive with literature to the point where he no longer knew how to think for himself but quoted different authors and write elitist poetry that only a few ones, those with a deep knowledge in literature, can understand. Rita Whyd you stop being a poet? Frank I didnt stop, so much as I realize I never was. Id simply got it wrong, Rita. (After a pause) Instead of creating poetry I spent oh years and years trying to create literature. You see? Rita Can I read some of your stuff? Frank You wouldnt like it. Rita Howd you know? Frank Its the sort of poetry you cant understandunless you happen to have a detailed knowledge of the literary references. 9- Frank isnt technically making a mistake inviting Rita over, but it was almost predictable that Rita wasnt going to attend in the end. It was known beforehand that Denny was going to object in one way or another, and that she would be either; not allowed attend, or, she would end up going by herself. 10- Rita starts to feel like she has come a long way since she started studying. She feels she doesnt fit with the rest of her family any longer; she feels as though she has nothing interesting to talk about with them; or nothing interesting to share with them. But, on the other hand, she feels like she is not ready to be part of the middle-class activities yet.

She feels she is somewhere in the middle of that social spectrum, where she does not fit in either of them. Evidence of this can be found when she explains to Frank the reason why she did not attend the dinner. 11- Ritas mother started to cry because the song they sung was apparently shallow, ugly, or meaningless, and she confessed to Rita that they could have sung a better song, if they wanted to. It seems that Rita related the song that they sung with the life that she had, and, to her, to be able to sing a better song, meant to live a better life. Rita knew that the only possible way to achieve that, would be to resume her course of studies. 12- Rita changed her whole personality based on how she thinks an intellectual person should act, talk, and even look physically; she also starts to drift away from her previous way of living. 13- He gets disappointed by Ritas decision to become what he despises in an intellectual person, thinking that she would lose her special personality and way of thinking by trying too hard to be a sophisticated and knowledgeable person. This leads to a break in their relationship for a while.

ACT TWO 1- Summer school has had some effects on Rita. She returned with different clothes, for example. But is more important to notice that her attitude had changed. That might have happened because she learnt more about different poets. This can be taken as a negative effect as she seems to show arrogance when she talks (quote about Blake). However, her change of attitude improved her relationship with Frank, as she cares for him by asking how he did in his holidays and about his problem with alcohol-. 2- Although he doesnt show too much his feelings after hearing Ritas experience, he must have felt proud of her as she came back as a more educated woman, just like she wanted. 3- First of all, Rita began her compromise when she first attended the tutorial with Frank with the intention of becoming an educated woman and be accepted by the others-. Then, she realized she doesnt match with her family and her husband lifestyle. At her twenty-six, she didnt want to have a baby and live forever stucked in

a routine; thats why she left her husband and her original job in order to go and live in a flat with another girl and get job in a bistro. This clearly helped her in getting accepted by people, especially a group of university students who are studying Literature. 4- I assume it was the first time Frank was drunk. In my opinion, the students were a little harsh when they complained to the Principal. They should have talked with Frank first. Frank described his lecture as the best he had ever given. However, we must not get our minds confused. Even if he was glorious as he said-, he should consider that a University room is not the place to give a lecture while being drunk. Frank does not thwart Ritas pursuit of knowledge. However, Ritas pursuit is rather broad, and, Frank seems to be reluctant to take such responsibility. 5- The scene goes to show that Frank is truly lost in his drinking problems, and he just doesnt care about anything, not even himself, his job or his public image. Another example could be his total lack of interest in his relationship; he has lost a real meaning in life. 6- Rita and Franks relationship suffered a change, a shift. As we can see, Rita became a more educated woman. She left her job as a hairdresser and started working in a bistro, a place where she can relate to other people. This upsets Frank, as Rita missed a lesson/tutorial and arrived late to another one. This gives us the hint that their roles had shifted: now Frank depends more on Ritas company than the other way around; and Rita now feels she needs to get out that room and talk to other people. 7- Frank has chosen that moment to share his poetry with Rita because she is confident about understanding literary criticism. Therefore he demands her no sentimentality, no subjectivity. Just pure criticism. Also, Rita had been doing her essays on well-known poets. Therefore, Frank considering him as a lesser known English poet- gives her a piece of his poetry, expecting an essay. 8- The positive changes are easy to see: At the end of the story, shes a very cultured and educated woman, with a bright future. The negative changes, on the other hand, might be hard to spot, and even then they would be subjective; for instance, she left her husband, among other things, because he wouldnt tolerate her education, which caused fights and arguments, finally leading to the breakup. This scenario in itself could be considered a negative effect, but its important to remember that she wasnt happy with her way of living in the first place. All in all, I would say that the positive changes far outweigh the negative ones, as there are so few of them (if any).

9- Frank understood that no matter the odds or difficulties, any person can change and become what he or she truly wants, with enough hard work and dedication. This realization suggests that Frank is highly likely to overcome his drinking problem. 10- I saw the end of the play as an optimistic conclusion. It was rather funny, and a good way of finishing it. The fact that Rita uses her talent in hairdressing on the man who showed her the way of education makes it a comic irony. However, despite the cleverness, this play has an open end. I think it would have been better to know what happened after the haircut: how would Frank find Australia? Would Rita go with him? There are many questions, which cant be answered. All we have to do is imagine every possible scenario.