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Willy Russell’s play Educating Rita explores the growth and change in perspective individuals experience as a result of transitioning into different a society. The protagonist undergoes changes in her attitudes towards society. Through transitioning, she gains courage to challenge social norms and standards to become individuals, make decisions, and realise their self-worth. Additionally, moving from one world to another affects the individuals’ relationships with others, both positively and negatively. In Educating Rita having the courage to challenge social norms and beliefs to become an individual is the first phase of Rita’s change as she enters the new world. Initially, Rita struggles to conform to the norms and acceptable behaviours of her peers as expressed by the dialogue, ‘Everyone expects me to have a baby. I don’t…I wanna discover meself first.’ Her desire and resolve for better opportunities in life causes her to change, as supported by the rhetorical question, ‘Is this the absolute maximum I can expect from this livin’ lark?’. However, the difficulty of entering the new world and leaving the old world behind is metaphorically symbolised by the stage direction of struggling with the door handle of Frank’s study. This difficulty is reflected in her deteriorating relationship with Denny, conveyed by the metaphor, ‘He’s blind, he doesn’t want to see.’ Denny’s act of burning Rita’s Chekhov books represents Rita’s ‘old’ world’s reluctance to accept change. In contrast, Frank the represents the ‘new’ world. Rita’s admiration is conveyed by the dialogue, ‘I wish I could talk like that.’ His study window acts as a metaphoric physical and emotional barrier that separates Rita from the ‘proper’ students. The second stage demonstrates Rita’s change in attitude towards society, her conformity with her ‘new world’ and rejection of her past. Rita’s desire to be ‘just like them’ culminates in a pressure to conform. The window is no longer a barrier, symbolised by Rita’s act of sitting with the students on the grass. Due to the new world, Rita’s life and behaviour is gradually shaped by others, not herself. She seeks to emulate those she admires, such as Trish and follows a predetermined set of social rules. As conveyed by the dialogue, ‘to talk properly, as Trish says…’ and the stage direction, ‘She is dressed in new, second hand clothes.’ The second hand clothes symbolises her shift in personality; while they are new to her, her ideas are borrowed from others. Through the metaphor of ‘finding a different song that sounds shrill and hollow,’ emphasises Rita’s sacrificed identity. As a result of transitioning, she rejects her ‘old world’ as conveyed by her dismissal of Frank, The dialogue, ‘They’re not trapped…they’re too young for that,’ suggests Frank is trapped and dispassionate about life, a constant reminder of Rita’s former self. In the third stage of change, Rita realises that education offers freedom of choice. This change in attitude is catalysed by Trish’s attempted suicide as Rita realises education’s inability to provide happiness. As expressed, ‘[Trish] spends…the other half [of her life] tryin’ to kill herself.’ Rita learns education enables endless opportunities as opposed to forcing conformity. The repetition of “I might go” in ‘I might go to France… I might even have a baby”, conveys her acknowledgement of choice. She is no longer ‘trapped’ but has freedom. Furthermore, she realises Frank’s significant role in her change as a teacher, seen through the emotive statement ‘Because of what you’ve given me I had a choice.’ Thus, through transitioning, Rita growth is reflected by her realisation of the importance of individualism and freedom of choice. Thus, the play Educating Rita explores the protagonist’s growth and change as she transforms from one world to another.