Educating Rita is an evolution of characters to discover relationships through literature. This evolution is a result of differences between characters and the changes to them that occur. Jack has a similar evolution with differences being defined early in the piece and a progressional change of character. These evolutions are closely tied in with the theme growth to self awareness. Another theme in both texts is the contrast between the main character and the lead support. In Educating Rita's case it is Rita and Frank. In Jack's case it is Jack and Louis.

The evolution of Rita while at the Open University is a very succinct example of growth to self awareness. This is shown with the contrast of Rita's character before leaving for France and once she returns. Rita, while in France has developed a controlled lifestyle in which she no longer `splurges out' as she did...