In the scene 2, Rita shows a further development in her character, now she is able to discuss literature confidently with the students she meets.
At this time, we can see that the new and more educated Rita is wiser in some aspects:
§ When she meets the “proper students”, she feels completely confident so that she decides to take part in the discussion about a poem. Remember that before the Summer School, she “used to be quite wary of them.” I think that Rita is wiser in this situation since she feels able to discuss about literature. I mean, she doesn’t feel anymore that she is not in the “level of these students” and through this way her self-esteem goes up, something really important in order to get what one wants.
§ Another situation in which she is wiser is when she defends her “own point of view” and she stands up for it. This whole situation shows that she is wiser since she believes in herself as well as in her ideas.
As regard the last aspect, what Frank says about Rita’s essay is that “there’s nothing of (her) in there” He considers that she is influenced by her new friends (those whom she knew at the Summer School) and what he wants is her to write her “simple” view in the essay. In order to defend herself against Frank’s criticism, she says that now she is more acquainted of the things she should write so as to make an essay. Her opinions are now more enriched since she knows where and who to consult.
Here we can see that Frank “is somewhat taken aback by these changes in Rita and what appears to be her independence of mind” I think that Frank might feel quite afraid of Rita’s changes because this progress may make him think that she would not need him anymore. That is, he might feel that now Rita shows a great development in her character, she might not need Frank’s approval. Frank can perceive her self-confidence and he may take it as a menace because now she is able to think different than Frank and stand up for her position.
At this time, we can see that the new and more educated Rita is wiser in some aspects:
§ When she meets the “proper students”, she feels completely confident so that she decides to take part in the discussion about a poem. Remember that before the Summer School, she “used to be quite wary of them.” I think that Rita is wiser in this situation since she feels able to discuss about literature. I mean, she doesn’t feel anymore that she is not in the “level of these students” and through this way her self-esteem goes up, something really important in order to get what one wants.
§ Another situation in which she is wiser is when she defends her “own point of view” and she stands up for it. This whole situation shows that she is wiser since she believes in herself as well as in her ideas.
As regard the last aspect, what Frank says about Rita’s essay is that “there’s nothing of (her) in there” He considers that she is influenced by her new friends (those whom she knew at the Summer School) and what he wants is her to write her “simple” view in the essay. In order to defend herself against Frank’s criticism, she says that now she is more acquainted of the things she should write so as to make an essay. Her opinions are now more enriched since she knows where and who to consult.
Here we can see that Frank “is somewhat taken aback by these changes in Rita and what appears to be her independence of mind” I think that Frank might feel quite afraid of Rita’s changes because this progress may make him think that she would not need him anymore. That is, he might feel that now Rita shows a great development in her character, she might not need Frank’s approval. Frank can perceive her self-confidence and he may take it as a menace because now she is able to think different than Frank and stand up for her position.
3 comments:
Is there any aspect in which Rita does not seem "wiser" at this moment in the play, Laura? Is Frank right in complaining "“there’s nothing of (her) in" her essay? How "enriching" can Rita's learning be when she appears to be just "parroting" the answers others have chosen as "appropriate"?
And shouldn't Frank be feeling glad that Rita is finally closer to the aims they've been working for together? I think you may enjoy having a look at Silvia's views on this...
Regards,
Gladys
Rita may not seem “wiser” when she writes the essay by not stating what she really thinks. I mean, she writes what others think (their friends) and this may not help her to learn actually since she is not expressing her true ideas but she is being influenced by others… I believe that besides her eager to be well-educated, she now may want to feel accepted by the “new environment” where she now is familiar to. So that she may forget the simplicity that Frank’s asks her
To me, Frank is right to make this complaining since this would help Rita to realize that she has not to change herself in order to be “accepted”. It is good to have somebody who tells or reminds us that we have to be loyal to ourselves and our own personality since we are unique and we shouldn’t change our thinking, likes or else in order to fix into somewhere.
Well said, Laura! You made me wonder whether any teacher has ever done that for you: "remind us that we have to be loyal to ourselves"...
By the way, have you asked yourselves what makes Rita's new "friends" her friends? Worth discussing once you get to the end of the play!
LOL,
Gladys
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