A Cup Of Tea

Hello readers! The blog is part of my B.A. journey. It is about the short story ACup Of Tea.

"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).[1] 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 character Rosemary Fell is a "fictional reconstruction" of Mansfield's wealthy first cousin, once removed, the writer Elizabeth von Arnim.

A Cup of Tea is set in 1920s London. Rosemary Fell, the protagonist, is wealthy young matron. We meet her while she is on a shopping trip in town. In an antique shop, she examines an expensive jewelry box that she would love to own. Yet, after inquiring about the price, she decides against the purchase - at least for that day.

Without the longed-for purchase, Rosemary returns to the street, where she is approached by a poor, raggedy looking young woman about her own age. The young woman asks for the price of a cup of tea and says she has no money, which Rosemary finds unimaginable.

Suddenly, inspired by the tales of Dostoevsky that she has recently read, Rosemary experiences a charitable inspiration and takes the girl home. Of course, the reader questions (as Mansfield intended) the true sincerity of Rosemary's impulse. We all believe in helping the less fortunate; however, this wealthy young woman seems more taken with her own fantasy of philanthropy than any real desire to help. At any rate, the young Miss Smith does go home with Rosemary and is given an abundant tea with all the trimmings.

While they're having tea, Mr. Fell (Phillip) comes into the bedroom and finds this unexpected guest. He takes Rosemary into another room, where he first expresses disapproval of what his wife has done and then speaks appreciatively about their poor visitor's beauty.

Once back with her charitable case, Rosemary now feels odd and without direction. What should she do? Ultimately, she gives Miss Smith some cash and sends her on her way. Anxious about her own appearance, Rosemary takes great care in dressing for dinner and seeks reassurance of her charms from Phillip.

'A Cup of Tea' is a modernist style short story written by Katherine Mansfield in 1922. Rosemary, the protagonist, is caught up in a fantasy of helping others, but it doesn't go as planned. This post takes you to a Podcast and further reading about the story. 

Katherine Mansfield's stories are known as the canvas painted with complexities of life. They explore the innermost recesses of the mind and unearth dramatic situations.

A Lady helps a poor girl and takes her home for tea and food. When the husband (Philip) gets to know this, he tries to stop Rosemarry as he feels that Miss Smith should not be there with them. He declares that he has found the girl awfully pretty. This changes the equations and jealousy wons over generosity. 

There is another aspect, may be hidden, in the story. The husband does not fall for the poor girl's beauty, rather he just wants his wife to get rid of the lady she has brought in. Philip, who suggests that he shall read The Milliner's Gazette (Cheap magazine popular among the working-class women) so that he can talk to their new guest. It is a reference to the 'snobbishness' of the husband as well. Rosemarry was not helping the girl out of some true-love. It was an effort to pacify her own 'Social Service Fashion' which is as much in trend as it was in those days.

Husband plays a trick by showing his 'affections' towards Miss Smith. He knew his wife and generates a feeling of insecurity and jealousy intentionally.

Money is given to the girl but she is chased away by Rosemarry and then she returns to her 'stereotype character' and tries to woo the husband by her looks and make-up. Nothing wrong though, but we are confused and intrigued about her fake helpful heart which forgets the purpose of helping others the moment she feels that the charity she was doing can be a threat to her own family life.