"A Cup of Tea" is a 1922 short story by Katherine Mansfield. It was first published in the Story-Teller in May 1922. It later appeared in The Doves' Nest and Other Stories (1923) collection. Her short stories first appeared in Melbourne in 1907,but literary fame came to her in London after the publication of a collection of short stories called "In a German Pension." The story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Mansfield may be exploring the theme of class or rather the differences between social classes.
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Character:
- Rosemary Fell, the most character, is a very wealthy woman and not simply well wealthy. The author brings out now by writing that Rosemary went searching to Paris from London. She bought countless flowers from one amongst the foremost modern streets in London. At the look too she would throw her weight around by telling them her likes and dislikes. She was a clannish quite an individual. She had the antique look, from that she shopped, to herself and therefore continuously most well-liked to travel there. and also the merchandiser too unbroken initiatory her by that she was anxious.
- Miss Smith, the poor girl picked up and fed by Rosemary
- Jeanne, a housemaid
- Philip, Rosemary's husband
Rosemary Fell, a wealthy young married woman, goes to Curzon Street to shop at a florist and in an antique shop. Before going to the car, Rosemary is approached by Miss Smith, a poor girl who asks for enough money to buy tea. Instead, Rosemary drives the girl to her plush house, determined to show her "that dreams do come true" and "that rich people did have hearts." At the Fells' home, Miss Smith eats her fill of food and tea. She then begins to tell Rosemary of her life until Rosemary's husband, Philip, comes in. Although initially surprised, Philip recovers and asks to speak to Rosemary alone. In the library, Philip conveys his disapproval. When Rosemary resists dismissing Miss Smith, Philip tries another, more successful, tactic: He plays to Rosemary's jealousy and insecurity by telling her how pretty he thinks Miss Smith is. Rosemary retrieves three five-pound notes and, presumably, sends the girl away (a far cry from Rosemary's first vow to "look after" and "be frightfully nice to" Miss Smith). Later, Rosemary goes to her husband and informs him that "Miss Smith won't dine with us tonight." She first asks about the antique box from the morning, but then arrives at her true concern, quietly asking Philip, "Am I pretty?" The story ends with this question.
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