Russell, Willy: *1947

Educating Rita, 1980 - Thematic Parallels: Education

Russell, Willy: Educating Rita, 1980
The play is about how education can empower someone to change their life, but also how that change can come with personal cost and complexity..
The following books are thematically simliar. Having read "Educating Rita," the following texts lend themselves well to being read in groups, compared with one another, or used to teach a similar topic over an extended period with a class:
- Fitzgerald, F. Scott: The Great Gatsby, 1925, ~190pp
  The novel focuses on the desire for self-improvement, the allure and limits of upward mobility, and the pervasive influence of social class.
  In both novels the characters are driven by idealized visions of a better life and believe personal transformation is the key to fulfillment and engage in self-reinvention, but the change comes with internal conflict and raises questions about authenticity.
- Kidd, Sue Monk: The Secret Life of Bees, 2002, ~300pp
  This novel centers on a young woman’s quest for knowledge, self-worth, and independence, echoing the theme of seeking transformation beyond a limiting environment.
  In both novels the women undergo identity transformations, questioning who they are and choosing who they want to become Their escape is both physical and psychological. It represents the protagonists' desire to reclaim control over their lives.
- Rhue, Morton: The Wave, 1981, ~140pp
  This novel Looks at education, conformity, and individuality within a classroom setting. It addresses the impact education can have on personal and social identity, resonating with Rita’s confrontation with the norms of the academic world.
  While "The Wave" is a cautionary tale about authoritarianism and group mentality, and "Educating Rita" is a more optimistic story about self-improvement and empowerment, both are deeply concerned with how education shapes individuals and society. They highlight the transformative (and sometimes destructive) power of learning, authority, and personal choice.
- Shaw, George Bernard: Pygmalion, 1913, ~100pp
  The primary topic of "Pygmalion" is social class and transformation, especially how language, education, and appearance influence one's position in society.
  Both plays center around education, transformation, class, and identity, often with a strong emphasis on language as power.They explore how education can transform individuals, particularly women from working-class backgrounds, allowing them to challenge societal roles. Language is portrayed as both a barrier and a gateway to power, status, and identity.
List of general discussion questions on Education (pdf)
List of essay prompts on Education (pdf)