The story primarily focuses the life of Rosemary, a wealthy woman however, she’s not the kind to be considered as beautiful. Rosemary has been married for two years to a very rich man, Phillips Fell. Rosemary is an extravagant leads a luxurious life, shopping at high-end shops and buying anything she desires. Once she visits an antique shop, the shopkeeper praises her fancy. He shows her a small shiny velvet box that’s very beautiful. Rosemary is very pleased but knowing the price to be twenty-eight gunnies she decides not to buy it and asks the shopkeeper to save it for her.
It was raining outside of the shop. Indeed, she was a bit upset as she couldn’t buy that box. Later, a meek and mild looking lady approached her for getting some money to have a cup of tea. Rosemary thinks such things happen in books and sound unreal thus she decides to take the girl with her to home. She wants to show the poor girl that rich people have the empathy and generosity towards the poor. The girl was surprised to receive such treatment, she’s afraid at first but agrees to go with her. Rosemary thinks about boasting about this in front of her friends.
At her house, Rosemary takes the girl up to her bedroom and makes her sit near the fire on a comfortable chair. She helps the girl take off her coat and hat but drops them on the floor. The poor girl weeps that life’s too hard and she’s too tired of living her life, she even wishes to end her life. Rosemary consoles her and orders tea. The girl is served tea along with some food. Rosemary lights up a cigarette while the girl eats.
Rosemary wants to know more about her life and family, but she was interrupted by her husband Phillip. He was surprised as well as disturbed to see the girl in his wife’s room and he asks the girl’s name, she says it is Smith.
Phillip inquires about the girl and Rosemary explains her hidden aim behind this philanthropic attitude. Philip reacts that its dangerous to keep a stranger in the house like this but Rosemary was very particular on her mission. Then Phillip mentions that the girl is very lovely and pretty. This makes Rosemary insecure. Rosemary leaves the library and picks up some money to give to the poor Miss Smith, she then asks her to leave.
Miss Smith, the beggar woman, unexpectedly refuses Rosemary Fell's generous offer of help. Up to this point in the story, Rosemary has been determined to rescue Miss Smith from her apparent poverty, offering her shelter and money. However, the climax arrives when Miss Smith asserts her independence and declines Rosemary's assistance. This is a significant turning point because it defies Rosemary's expectations and challenges the assumptions about what would be beneficial for Miss Smith. The refusal marks a moment of realization for Rosemary.
After the departure of miss smith, Rosemary dresses up nicely, makes her hair look nice and wears her pearls. She joins her husband back in the library and lies that Miss Smith insisted on leaving. She sits on his knees and asks him whether he likes her; he assures her that he likes her a lot. She then asks if she can buy the shiny velvet box from the antique store. Phillip agrees but that was not what she wanted to ask him. After a pause, she questions “Am I pretty?”
The story at once depicts the attitudes and life styles of the privileged people and explores the predicaments of the poverty stricken people. Rosemary Fell, a wealthy young woman, encounters Miss Smith, a beggar, highlighting the vast difference in their social standing. Mansfield skillfully portrays the stark contrast between their lives, emphasizing the disparities in wealth, comfort, and opportunities.
Mansfield delves into the motives behind the philanthropic acts. Rosemary's decision to bring Miss Smith home seems, at first, motivated by a genuine desire to help someone in need. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that Rosemary's actions are also driven by a desire to feel virtuous and make a significant impact on another person's life. This raises questions about the sincerity and authenticity of charitable gestures.
Mansfield employs irony and unexpected twists to challenge the reader's expectations. The story takes a surprising turn when Miss Smith refuses Rosemary's assistance, revealing a depth to her character that defies stereotypes. This twist invites readers to question preconceived notions about individuals based on their social status.
Mansfield's narrative style is marked by subtlety and symbolism. The cup of tea itself becomes a symbolic element, representing the disparity between Rosemary's privileged world and Miss Smith's humble existence. The story's setting and descriptions contribute to the overall atmosphere, emphasizing the divide between the two women.
University questions with answer key
Discuss the role of social class and privilege in "A Cup of Tea." How does Mansfield use the characters of Rosemary Fell and Miss Smith to explore the theme of class distinction in the story?
Answer key:
Katherine Mansfield explores the modern social set up and the attitudes of upper class in the short story a cup of tea. The characters of Rosemary Fell and Miss Smith represent the two sections of the society. Rosemary, a wealthy young woman, represents the upper class, while Miss Smith, a beggar, symbolizes the lower class. The story highlights the stark differences in their lives, emphasizing the economic and social disparities of the time. Rosemary's impulsive decision to help Miss Smith is driven by her privileged position, reflecting a sense of detachment and ignorance toward the struggles of the less fortunate.
The writer also focuses the hypocrisies of the upper class. They have hidden motives behinds their deeds. The materialistic mind set of Rosemary forces her to live by keeping all the vanities.
2.
Examine the symbolism of the cup of tea in Katherine Mansfield's "A Cup of Tea." How does Mansfield use this symbol to convey deeper meanings and comment on the themes of the story?
The cup of tea in in the short story serves as a powerful symbol that conveys deeper meanings and contributes several hidden things. Mansfield employs the act of offering tea as a representation of charity and attempts at bridging the gap between social classes. The tea, typically associated with comfort and domesticity, becomes a metaphor for the stark contrast between Rosemary's privileged world and Miss Smith's impoverished existence. The act of offering a cup of tea reflects Rosemary's initial superficial and somewhat patronizing approach to helping others. However, the twist in the story, when Miss Smith refuses the tea and assistance, becomes a pivotal moment challenging these assumptions. Mansfield, through the symbolism of the cup of tea, invites readers to reflect on the complexities of charity, sincerity, and the dynamics between the privileged and the less fortunate.
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