A Cup of Tea

BACKGROUND OF STORY :- 

Katherine Mansfield Murry, born on 14th October 1888 in New Zealand, was a well-known modernist short story writer who used the pen name Katherine Mansfield. Growing up in colonial New Zealand, she became a masterful artist in capturing common human behaviors and emotions. One of her notable works is the short story "A Cup of Tea," published in 1922, where she skillfully explores the theme of jealousy in a woman.

In this story, Mansfield unveils the sophisticated facade of society and delves into the concept of social work and the artificial emotions of a wealthy woman. The protagonist, Rosemary Fell, is a rich woman with a highly artificial demeanor. She thrives on admiration and seeks to feel important. One winter night, she encounters a poor girl and, in an attempt to appear generous, offers her a cup of tea.

Rosemary believes she is doing a good deed, displaying generosity. However, her actions are laced with artificiality. Despite her husband Mr. Phillip Fell being upset with her decision to bring the poor girl, Ms. Smith, into their home, Rosemary remains oblivious to his concerns. Mr. Fell, aware of his wife's nature, employs a clever trick. He praises Ms. Smith's beauty, dealing a blow to Rosemary's pride and triggering a sense of jealousy.

The story ends intriguingly, urging readers to explore the original text for its conclusion.

In essence, "A Cup of Tea" is a simple yet profoundly meaningful story. It serves as a satirical commentary on the artificial feelings of the wealthy towards the poor. Mansfield highlights how social work can sometimes be a mere means for the affluent to appear generous and superior to others.

CHARACTER 

 In the story "A Cup of Tea" by Katherine Mansfield, Rosemary Fell is a complex character. She may seem happy and kind on the outside, but deep down, she struggles with envy and pain. The story begins by stating that Rosemary is not exactly beautiful, but she is young, brilliant, modern, well-dressed, and well-read.

Rosemary is portrayed as a comfortably rich woman who enjoys the luxuries of life. While regular people go to places like Bond Street for shopping, Rosemary goes to London for her everyday shopping. Her parties reflect her wealth, and like many wealthy women, she is interested in acts of kindness and charity.




One day, as Rosemary comes out of an antique shop, she encounters a girl begging for money who wishes to have a cup of tea. Rosemary sees an opportunity to help and invites the girl home, treating her like a sister regardless of their different social classes. She warmly says, "Come home to tea with me," and serves her well.




However, everything changes when Mr. Philip describes the girl, Miss Smith, as astonishingly pretty. This statement makes Rosemary feel insecure and causes her to shift from a charitable mindset to one of jealousy. She worries that having Miss Smith at home might jeopardize her marriage. Rosemary starts questioning her own beauty and decides not to let Miss Smith stay. In the end, she gives money to Miss Smith and asks her to leave. Rosemary then turns to Philip and asks, "Am I pretty?"




When Rosemary meets Miss Smith, it is noteworthy that asking for money seems extraordinary to Rosemary. This indicates that Rosemary is different from other wealthy people, as she can't fathom someone having no money.




During tea in Rosemary's bedroom, she leaves Miss Smith's hat and coat on the floor, suggesting a class difference in Rosemary's eyes. Rosemary's attitude towards Miss Smith changes after Philip compliments Miss Smith's beauty, making Rosemary not only jealous but also insecure about her own appearance.




In Rosemary's character, we observe elements of jealousy, insecurity, materialism, and class differences. She stands out not just among other women but also among the wealthy. Mansfield paints a portrait of a woman struggling with her inner conflicts despite her outwardly comfortable life.