Transitions exist to enable persons to embrace the novel perspective of the world they occupy. Transitional phases offer new opportunities, challenges, and relationships. This article examines the texts titled “Educating Rita” by Willy Russell’s and “The simple Gift” by Steven Herrick and argues that, transitions experiences are not only challenging but also transformative.
“Educating Rita” by Willy Russell
The play “Educating Rita” was written in 1979, a period when accessibility of education was mainly for the working class hence seeks to demonstrate how education makes the transition possible and adoption of perspectives of different social context (Russell, 2007, p. 12). In the play, Rita transitions from her working-class life resulting in new opportunities by obtaining admittance to education through Open University movement. In her quest to get educated, Rita struggles between becoming educated and staying close to her working-class husband as well as the family. On the other hand, his tutor Frank is somewhat of a disgraced alcoholic tutor whose life changes entirely due to Rita whom he sees as a different person from the rest of the students.
Through Rita’s desperation to get an education and the professor who finds her fascinating, a connection and new relationship is formed between the two. At some point, Rita changes her name and even starts speaking in “cultured” accent whereby Frank views the cultural change as being superficial. However, their relationship changes later, and they understand each other, are more honest to self and recognize where they want to continue in their lives. Transitioning from the past was challenging for them but also transformed them to be better individuals independently. Education is a central theme of the text. The title “Educating Rita” symbolizes a knowledge gaining and transformative process.
“The Simple Gift” by Steven Herrick
The poetry text by Steven Herrick presents a story about a sixteen-year-old Billy who is wary about his abusive father and decides to pack a few of his belonging leaving home hoping to find something better than what he left behind. Steven Herrick enables the reader to delve into the minds of three main characters, Old Bill, Billy, and Caitlin and comprehend their experiences from their viewpoint (Herrick, 2000, p. 10).
Steven Herrick vividly describes the contrast between the Bendarat and the uninteresting and dull ‘Nowheresville.’ By withdrawing from the society, Bill profoundly understands his role in the social contexts. Leaving Nowheresville, he recognizes that not all adults are cruel like his father and then develops a sense of self-identity which enables him to establish a relationship with the old bill and starts caring to form him and other people. To independently sustain his life and promote personal growth, Bill decides to enter into employment. He later meets Caitlin, his first love, and they get married. Though the transition was challenging and with many consequences, Bill confronts his fears and stops overindulging in cigarettes and alcohol. He not only develops a positive relationship with other people but also starts valuing others while enduring the transition process.
The author shapes meaning through form, structure, and language. Steven Herrick demonstrates elements of acceptance and belonging through ‘pain and suffering’ and rejection through ‘homelessness’ and dealing with death by characters Old Bill, Caitlin, and Bill. Nowheresville points to a decrepit, decaying and depressing environment.
Conclusion
Transitional phases offer new opportunities, challenges, and relationships. They are a time of change from one world experiences to another. The process may provide understanding, knowledge, insights and even more tiring and stressful consequences. Transitions also may result in shifts in attitudes and beliefs as well as deepened understanding of self and others as illustrated by characters in both plays hence Transition experiences are challenging as well as transformative.
Works Cited
Herrick, S. (2000). The Simple Gift by Steven Herrick 205. University of Queensland Press.
Russell, W. (2007). Educating Rita. London: Methuen Drama.
