Since Duffy penned Rites in the transformative year of 1969, the world has undeniably evolved. Yet, to what extent have these changes reshaped the landscape of gender equality? Do women still face career hurdles, shadowed by discrimination? If they do, in which sectors or professions does this bias persist most stubbornly, and what measures could dismantle these barriers? Perhaps it’s worth exploring the notion of the "glass ceiling," that less overt yet insidious form of inequality.

Does the emancipation of women herald a similar freedom for men? In what dimensions? How have men been reshaped by the seismic shifts of the women's movement over recent decades?

Ada's take on love and matrimony is, "A few moments pleasure and then a lifetime kidding yourself. Caught, bound, even if you don't know it." Is there a touch of truth in her stark perspective from a woman's standpoint, or does her skepticism obscure the reality? What might be an elegantly crafted, two-sentence alternative that paints a fresh, non-traditional picture of love and marriage—one that steers clear of the well-trodden, clichéd paths of gender stereotypes?

In the wake of the women's movement, gender roles have morphed into a tapestry of flexibility. Has this fluidity simplified or complicated the quest for successful relationships? In what aspects does it smooth the path, and where does it introduce new challenges?

Is Rites a tale of despair, its characters' lives trapped in a barren and bleak cycle? Or does Duffy's unflinching portrayal of women from a particular social stratum, devoid of gloss or naive optimism, offer a beacon of inspiration and raw authenticity?