In these scenes Rita appears quite different from the beginning of the play. She enters Frank's office speaking completely differently. She explains she wants to talk "properly" from now onwards and as her friend Trish suggested, she needs to do it all the time in order to practice. I
I think from the educational point of view, this is another way of feeling a sense of belonging and behaving as the rest of the students. Frank critizices Rita on not being herself when talking in such a way. However, she seems to like it, even more at this stage when she feels capable of doing so because she feels she is much more prepared and self confident.
On the other hand, she also tells Frank she 's been on the grass talking to the other students at college, which makes him feel quite jealous. Rita's attitude is differnet now. She has become much more conscious of her capacities and has grown and learnt a lot, these things make it possible for her to relate with other classmates and even confront Frank when discussing his point of view on her essays.
Generally speaking, our students sometimes need to develop self confidence in order to grow as students themselves. Once they realize they are able to do so nothing stopps them. Sometimes, unconsciously we, teachers, stop them from their growth and self development, because of not being aware of their needs , because we do not how to help them or simply it happens as Frank who unconsciously does not want Rita to change because he feels she is losing her essence.
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This idea of "losing one's essence"... I'm till wondering what you actually mean by that... :-?
I do appreciate your suggestion that this new way of talking is a strategy to "fit in", part of a process of accomodation into the new culture Rita has for so long strived to join... Yet, when you say "She has become much more conscious of her capacities and has grown and learnt a lot", I feel like raising an eyebrow in suspicion, you know... After all, who is Rita listening to now? Has she actually found "a better song to sing"? Or is she -once again- singing what everyone around sings?
One last thing: I do not think Frank is unaware he doesn't want Rita to change, not like this at least... He's made his point so clearly once and again throughout the scene.... Do you think he shouldn't speak his mind like that?
Love,
Gladys
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