Rita's experience at summer school challenges her views of the world. Before hand, Rita believes that summer school is for educated students. This idealistic view is quickly changed when she begins Open University. Willy Russell uses literary devices and cultural references to make the changes in Rita apparent. Rita feels out of place in the University environment and craves to be able to sit on the grass with the other students.
"I love that lawn down there, when its summer do the students sit on it?...who?...The proper students...reading and studying."
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