HANDOUT

A CUP OF TEA
(KATHERINE MANSFIELD)
English Literature
 OUTLINE

I. AUTHOR AND WORKS

II. WRITING STYLE AND PURPOSE

III. SUMMARY

IV. SETTING

V. PLOT

VI. CHARACTERS AND CHARACTERIZATION

VII. NARRATOR

VIII. THEMES AND HAIKU

IX. FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

I. AUTHOR AND WORKS
- Katherine Mansfield was born on October 14th, 1888, in Wellington, New Zealand. She
hailed from a socially and commercially active family.

- Her prolific career included writing journals, reviews, letters, and, most notably, short
stories.

- Her short stories cover a wide range of thematic topics:

+ Relationships: Mansfield portrayed the fragility and vulnerability of relationships;

+ Middle-Class Complexities: Her stories delved into the complexities of the rising
middle classes;

+ Beauty in Mundane Experiences: Mansfield extracted beauty and vitality from

ordinary, everyday life;

+ Besides, her stories often focus on psychological conflicts and delicate nuances of
consciousness.

- During her last years, she wrote many of her most powerful works, including The Garden
Party (1922), recognized by many as her finest collection.

- About “A cup of tea”, this work is a modernist short story by Katherine Mansfield, first
published in May 1922. Katherine Mansfield’s writing in “A Cup of Tea” combines wit,
psychological insight, and a keen eye for detail.

- Today, Mansfield is hailed, in the words of one critic, as “a symbol of liberation,

innovation, and unconventionality.”

II. WRITING STYLE AND PURPOSE

- Katherine Mansfield is renowned for depicting characters’ subtle reactions to the seemingly
trivial events of everyday life.

- Mansfield's writing style is psychologically acute, accessible, and innovative. She pioneered
a new style of writing characterized by mood and suggestion.

- Mansfield uses concise and precise language. She doesn’t waste words but conveys
complex emotions and ideas effectively.
 - Mansfield delves into the minds of her characters, she captures the nuances of human
psychology => Psychological Insight.

- Mansfield employs irony to highlight social issues and human behavior.

=> Katherine Mansfield’s writing style in “A Cup of Tea” combines modernist techniques,
psychological insight, and irony to create a thought-provoking narrative.

In summary, Katherine Mansfield's legacy lies in her innovative storytelling, psychological

insight, and ability to extract beauty from the ordinary human experience.

III. SUMMARY
Rosemary Fell is a very wealthy woman, however, she’s not the kind to be considered
“beautiful”. Rosemary has been married for two years to a very rich man, Phillips Fell. She
lives a luxurious life, shopping at high-end shops and buying anything she desires. Once she
visits an antique shop, the shopkeeper is very fond of her, and seems to fancy her a lot. He
shows her a small shiny velvet box that’s very beautiful. Rosemary is very pleased but after
knowing the price, she decides not to buy it and asks the shopkeeper to save it for her. It’s a
rainy winter day. She steps out of the shop, feels upset that she can’t buy that box now. The
car is waiting for her on the side, but she seems hesitant. A timid looking girl approaches her
and asks her for money, the price of a cup of tea. Rosemary thinks such things happen in
books and sound incredible. Thus she decides to take the girl with her to her home. She wants
to show the poor girl that rich people feel empathy for her kind. The girl is very shocked 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 cries that life’s too hard and she’s too
tired to carry on, she wishes to end of 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. After
the girl’s eaten some food she appears livelier. Rosemary starts to ask her about her life but
she’s interrupted by her husband’s arrival. Philip is astonished to see the girl in his wife’s
room and he asks the girl’s name, she says it is Smith. Philip then asks Rosemary to join him
in the library to talk in private. Philip inquires about the girl and Rosemary explains her
philanthropic plans. Philip says that it’s absurd to keep a stranger in the house like this but
Rosemary is keen on her mission. Then Philip 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. After Miss Smith leaves, 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. Philip agrees but that was not what she wanted to ask
him. After a pause, she questions “Am I pretty?”.

IV. SETTING
1. Time
- A Cup of Tea is a short story written by New Zealand’s prominent short fiction writer
and poet Katherine Mansfield in 1922. This story was written on the 11th of January
back in early 1922, which was first published in the famous Story-Teller magazine and
later appeared in Mansfield’s short story collection The Dove’s Nest.
- This era was characterized by significant social and economic disparities between the
wealthy upper class and the struggling working class.
- The story takes place in a winter afternoon, "One winter afternoon she had been buying
something in a little antique shop in Curzon Street.”

2. Places
- London, Britain.

- A Posh Florist's Shop in Curzon Street:

+ This setting represents the affluent world of Rosemary Fell, where luxury and
material possessions are the norm.
+ The shop's elegant décor, with its polished wood, gleaming mirrors, and carefully
arranged flower displays, symbolizes Rosemary's wealth and social status.
+ The expensive flowers, representing beauty, indulgence, and fleeting pleasures,
reflect Rosemary's preoccupation with appearances and material possessions.

- Rosemary's house:
This setting further emphasizes Rosemary's privileged lifestyle. The apartment's warm
and inviting atmosphere, with its plush furniture, soft lighting, and cozy fireplace,
contrasts with the cold and rainy weather outside, highlighting Rosemary's comfort and
detachment from the realities of the working class.
The apartment's décor, reflecting Rosemary's taste and refinement, serves as a reminder
of her wealth and social status. This is where she takes the young woman she meets on
the street and offers her tea.
"There! " said Rosemary. She had a feeling of triumph as she slipped her hand through
the velvet strap. She could have said, “Now I’ve got you,” as she gazed at the little
captive she had netted. But of course she meant it kindly. Oh, more than kindly."

3. Physical environment

- Curzon Street antique shop: Described as a place Rosemary liked because she
usually had it to herself. The shop owner is overly attentive, flattering her and showing
her special items.
 "It was a shop she liked. For one thing, one usually had it to oneself. And then the man
who kept it was ridiculously fond of serving her. He beamed whenever she came in. He
clasped his hands; he was so gratified he could scarcely speak. Flattery, of course”

- Rosemary's house: After Rosemary's chance encounter with the girl asking for a cup of
tea, she brings her home to her opulent residence. The home is depicted as warm, lavish,
and comfortable, contrasting sharply with the cold, harsh outside world.
"Warmth, softness, light, a sweet scent, all those things so familiar to her she never even
thought about them, she watched what others receive. It was fascinating."

- The Rainy Weather Outside: A Symbol of Harsh Realities and Social Contrast
+ The cold and dreary weather outside Rosemary's apartment contrasts sharply with the
warm and inviting atmosphere within.
+ The rain symbolizes the harsh realities faced by those less privileged than Rosemary,
representing the struggles of the working class and the challenges of everyday life.
+ The contrast between the cozy apartment and the rainy weather highlights the social
divide between Rosemary and the young girl from the working class, emphasizing the
disparities in their lives and experiences.

- The library: Rosemary and her husband talked about the stranger. Philip praised
Ms.Smith's beauty, which aroused her jealousy.

4. Social environment
- Rigid social class distinctions: The 1920s was considered “a decade of contradiction”.
Therefore, the gap between upper class and lower class was dramatically extended.-This
period also witnessed “materialism” tendency in society, especially the upper class

- A focus on appearances and material possessions:

+ Rosemary's preoccupation with her appearance and her desire for expensive items
reflect the prevailing values of her social class.
+ Rosemary is described as being "rich, really rich" and having a life filled with
expensive possessions and social gatherings.
"If Rosemary wanted to shop she would go to Paris as you and I would go to Bond Street...
If she wanted to buy flowers, the car pulled up at that perfect shop in Regent Street...
Rosemary inside the shop just gazed in her dazzled, rather exotic way, and said: “I want
those and those and those. Give me four bunches of those. And that jar of roses. Yes, I’ll
have all the roses in the jar. No, no lilac. I hate lilacs. It’s got no shape.”

- A lack of empathy for those less fortunate: Rosemary's initial dismissive attitude
towards the young girl highlights the lack of empathy and understanding between the social
classes.
There's a subtle contrast between Rosemary's world and the life of the young woman she
meets. The young woman is described as being poor and hungry, suggesting a different
 social class.“M-madam, stammered the voice. Would you let me have the price of a cup of
tea?”.

V. PLOT

"A Cup of Tea" is a short story by Katherine Mansfield that revolves around the wealthy
Rosemary Fell, who encounters a beggar named Miss Smith and invites her home for a cup of
tea. The plot of the story can be analyzed in terms of its exposition, rising action, climax,
falling action, and resolution.

Exposition: Rosemary goes shopping.

The story begins with Rosemary Fell preparing to go shopping when she encounters Miss
Smith, a beggar woman on the street. Rosemary is struck by Miss Smith's appearance and
decides to invite her home for tea, intrigued by the mystery surrounding the beggar.

Rising Action: Miss Smith asks for money to get a cup of tea, Rosemary takes Miss Smith
back to her home.

In the rising action of the plot of "A Cup of Tea," we see the main character, Rosemary Fell
feeling sorry for Miss Smith. Rosemary offers to take her home and provide her with some
new clothes. As they spend more time together, Rosemary becomes fascinated by the
mysterious Miss Smith and begins to feel a sense of kinship with her.

During this time, Rosemary's husband, Philip, expresses concern about Rosemary's newfound
relationship with Miss Smith, warning her about the potential dangers of getting too involved
with someone from a different social class. Despite his reservations, Rosemary continues to
spend time with Miss Smith, helping her get back on her feet and giving her a sense of
belonging.

Climax: Philip tells Rosemary how pretty Miss Smith is and Rosemary gets jealous.

As Philip continues to praise Miss Smith's looks, Rosemary's jealousy grows stronger. She
begins to compare herself to Miss Smith, feeling inadequate and insecure. The realization hits
her that Philip's admiration for Miss Smith may be more than just a casual observation.

The tension between Rosemary and Philip reaches its peak as she confronts him about his
feelings for Miss Smith. Emotions run high as the truth comes out, leaving Rosemary feeling
hurt and betrayed. The climax of their relationship unfolds as they navigate through the
challenges of jealousy and insecurity, ultimately determining the strength of their bond.

Falling Action: Falling Action- Rosemary asks Miss Smith to leave

 Miss Smith is surprised and hurt by Rosemary's request, but she realizes that she cannot
change Rosemary's mind. She gathers her things and leaves, feeling rejected and
disappointed. Rosemary stands alone in the house, feeling a mix of relief and sadness at the
loss of her friend. She knows she has made the right decision for herself, but at the same
time, she regrets hurting someone she cares about.

Resolution: Miss Smith has left; Rosemary reveals her insecurity in the last conversation
with Philip and resolves to her old lifestyle – i.e. being content with buying stuff rather than
being altruistic

After Miss Smith leaves, Rosemary is left feeling insecure and unsure about her decision to
pursue a more altruistic lifestyle. In a last conversation with Philip, she reveals her doubts
and fears about her ability to change and be selfless.

Feeling overwhelmed and inadequate in the face of Miss Smith's departure, Rosemary
ultimately decides to revert back to her old ways of finding contentment in material
possessions rather than in acts of generosity towards others. She resolves to go back to her
previous lifestyle, where buying things and focusing on herself provided her with a sense of
happiness and fulfillment.

VI. CHARACTERS AND CHARACTERIZATION

ROSEMARY (dynamic, round protagonist)

a) Her appearance:
- Although not considered conventionally beautiful, Rosemary's appearance is enhanced
by her expensive clothes and luxurious accessories
- Rosemary was portrayed as a lady who has everything in the world. She indulged
herself into a luxurious and comfortable life with her husband who 'åbsolutely adored
her". She was not just "comfortably well off" but "really rich". Therefore, what she
wanted to own had to be the best in the best. She enjoys the finest flavour of upper -
class life that laymen never dream of.
- Rosemary loved reading books and novels. She did not know about the realities of the
world.. She lived in heaven on Earth, so she immersed herself into an unrealistic world
where everyone has an ideal fulfilling life.

b) Her relationship:
- With the shopman: The shop owner dedicates his most special treasures to Rosemary,
treating her like his most valuable customer.
- With her husband: Superficial Happiness: The initial description paints a picture of a
seemingly happy couple enjoying a life of luxury. Philip showers Rosemary with
affection and material possessions.

c) Her speech, thoughts and actions:

 - At the antique shop: Rosemary Fell seems to be very self - centered and enjoys using
people for her own satisfaction
- When meeting the poor girl:
+ When the girl tried to engage Rosemary, she reacted as if it was a once - in - a -
lifetime event. It clearly depicted the big gap between 2 classes of society.
+ She considered this event as a "thrilling" adventure, not an obvious thing to do when
encountering a starving person.
+ She tried to act out that she was a truly kind lady without any bad intention. She
considered Ms. Smith as a trophy she had just conquered.
- In her bedroom:
+ Rosemary didn't consider the poor girl as the same class as her.
"She was just going to take a cigarette off the mantelpiece when the girl said quickly,
but so lightly and strangely: 'I'm very sorry, madam, but I'm going to faint. I shall go
off madam, if I don't have something”
- After Philip came home:
+ Rosemary considered Ms. Smith as a helpless creature that she could bring home if
she wanted. She innocently thought her husband would approve of her generous
decision.
+ Rosemary was really cruel and heartless when expelling a little girl with a few
pounds after treating her with a hearty and elaborate meal. This detail shows that people
can do anything even ruthless to achieve their desire. Eventually, her initial charitable
intention was replaced by womanly jealousy.

d) Rosemary Fell has a fragile self esteem:

She wants to be reassured of her worth from time to time. Her question to her husband, "Do
you like me?"
- Her husband's response satisfies her need for assurance, but she needs true evidence of her
husband's affection because her self-esteem is quite fragile.
- Her fragile self-esteem pushes her to seek out more tangible proof of her husband'
undying desire for her only.
- She doesn't seem to mind that her husband regards her as a child, as shown by his use of
the phrase 'little wasteful one' to describe her. Rosemary Fell values the satisfaction she
receives from her partner, who makes her happy and proud of herself.

e) The changes in her state of mind:

- At first, she naively hopes that everybody would applaud her for assisting a starving
person, but the story's conclusion is far from Rosemary's imagination.
But very soon, she returns from the land of imagination to the realm of fact as her husband,
Philip, casually comments on Miss Smith's beauty. She makes up her mind and sends the
girl away with some money.
- Rosemary initially intends to treat Miss Smith as a charming toy which is an alternative
for the enameled box.
 - Then, Rosemary's enthusiasm in helping Miss Smith as a charity endeavor is easily
abandoned when Philip points out the obvious fact that Rosemary has overlooked: Miss
Smith is gorgeous.
- Suddenly, Miss Smith goes from being a charming toy to play with to a deep threat to
Mrs. Fell's marriage.
To conclude, Rosemary is rich and modern, well-educated and well-dressed. She is,
however, unrealistic, pusillanimous, and envious. Rosemary's hesitancy in deciding how
much money to send Miss Smith—five pounds, then three—reveals her anger and envy, as
well as her disrespect for the poor girl. The greed and hypocrisy of the upper class lifestyle
are clearly depicted in this detail. Furthermore, Rosemary's rash thought that "women were
sisters" is nothing more than rhetoric.

MISS. SMITH (Flat and Dynamic)

- She was a poor girl whom Rosemary encountered. The girl's voice, barely a whisper like a
sigh, spoke of exhaustion and hunger. Desperation drove her to a shocking plea - just
enough money for a cup of tea - leaving Rosemary stunned.
- At the peak of her hopelessness, she extracted the word "madam" when talking to
Rosemary. She gradually came out of her shell due to her extreme hunger. Her only desire
at that moment was to fill her empty stomach not to be faint and to live on. She was aware
of her position in this conversation and the intense differences between two classes.
- Miss Smith claimed her name to show two upper class people that a destitute beggar, not
an anonymous creature, also has a name to call.

PHILIP (Flat and Static)

- Rosemary's husband - Philip is portrayed as a high-status individual in the upper class.
He is a realistic upper class man. He is a typical model of upper class men in the 19th
century who always wants to manipulate his partner and run everything in the way he
wants.
- Philip seems to want to disassociate himself (and Rosemary) from Miss Smith. When
Rosemary seemed to be consistent with her charitable intention and fantasy world and
refused to dismiss Miss Smith, Philip tried a more effective strategy by praising the beauty
of the stranger.
- He does not want a low-status individual in his household. Philip is a wise man that
knows how to influence his wife for his purpose. A minor character in this story but he has
a strong influence on the change in mental state of Rosemary.

VII. NARRATOR

Characteristics of the Narrator

• Third-person limited: The narrator adopts a third-person limited perspective, primarily
focusing on Rosemary Fell's thoughts, feelings, and actions.
 • Objective Observer: The narrator maintains an objective stance, avoiding personal opinions
or judgments, and presenting events in a neutral manner.
• Silent Participant: The narrator remains silent, not engaging in direct dialogue or
expressing personal opinions, allowing the characters and their actions to drive the narrative.

Narrative Techniques
• Free Indirect Discourse: The narrator employs free indirect discourse, seamlessly blending
Rosemary's internal thoughts with the external narrative, creating a sense of immediacy and
authenticity.
• Sensory Details: The narrator utilizes vivid sensory details to immerse readers in
Rosemary's surroundings, enhancing the story's atmosphere and conveying Rosemary's
sensory experiences.
• Stream of Consciousness: The narrator occasionally employs stream-of-consciousness
techniques, capturing the unfiltered flow of Rosemary's thoughts and emotions, adding depth
and complexity to her character.

Impact on Story Interpretation

• Unveiling Rosemary's Complexity: The narrator's limited perspective allows readers to form
their own interpretations of Rosemary's character. Her initial dismissive attitude and
subsequent shift towards empathy can be viewed from various angles
• Enhancing Emotional Impact: The narrator's techniques, such as free indirect discourse and
sensory details, contribute to the story's emotional impact. Readers can connect with
Rosemary's inner struggles, empathize with the young girl's situation, and appreciate the
subtle shift in Rosemary's perception.
=> The narrative perspective in "A Cup of Tea" is not merely a technical device but an
integral element that enhances the story's impact. By employing this narrative approach,
Katherine Mansfield creates a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of human
relationships, social class, and the complexities of human nature.

VIII. THEMES AND HAIKU

THEMES
1. Class distinction:
Class distinction is explicit in the story. Rosemary Fell represents the noble class. She is a
rich woman, enjoying every luxury of life. She appears well dressed. She has everything she
could possibly need and is being respected by the lower class, like the man in the antique
shop. In contrast, Miss Smith represents the lower class; she is depicted as so poor that she
has nothing to eat and cannot afford even a cup of tea.

This makes a comparison of the two classes. On one hand, the wealthy are enjoying
everything in their lives. On the other hand, the lower classes are exposed to hunger and
disrespect at the hands of the upper classes.
 2. Jealousy and Insecurity:
Rosemary became an image of an insecure and jealous woman. At first, she appears as a kind
person and helps Miss Smith. But when her husband, Philip, notices and praises Miss Smith,
she gets jealous and insecure and immediately changes her attitude.

She gets rid of Miss Smith by giving her money. Ultimately, she did some makeup and tried
to attract the attention of her husband with her charming looks. She asks her husband, "Do
you like me?" and "Am I pretty?" show that she is insecure and wants to make sure of his love
for her.

3. Materialism:
Throughout the story, Rosemary may be seen pursuing material objects. She appears to be
desiring an enamel box. She then assists Miss Smith purely for attention and to increase her
image. Ultimately, the statement "Rosemary had just done her hair, darkened her eyes a
little, and put on her pearls" suggests that she is trying to appear more attractive through
material objects.

Mansfield uses this to illustrate how people are becoming less engaged in actual emotions
and more focused on material possessions.

4. Appearance and Reality:

Readers may perceive the appearance to be opposite to reality throughout the whole story.
Mansfield depicts hypocrisy in New Zealand's unstable society in this way. Rosemary
appears to be kind and understanding with Miss Smith when caring for her, but her intentions
really are filled with hypocrisy. She just serves her own interests. She believes that by
helping, it would raise her reputation and boast about her actions. Similar to this, Mansfield
depicts a society in which the wealthy used acts of kindness for their own benefit.

HAIKU

Wealthy masks of gold

Poverty's tale left untold

Hypocrisy hold.

IX. FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

- PERSONIFICATION
+ The narrator seems to personify weather with a gloomy abstract such as “cold bitter
taste in the air”. This represents her gloomy mood as she couldn’t buy the little enamel
box.
+ personified inanimate things with human attributes. The narrator says the lights of the
houses “looked sad” and were “as if regretting something”
- METAPHORS
 + The narrator describes the glowing delicacy of the box and metaphorized it “as though
it had been baked in cream”.
+ The narrator used the metaphor of “a geranium petal” to express the charm of
Rosemary’s hat.
+ The author applies metaphor to depict the action of shivering a young girl with a child
by saying “She seemed to stagger like a child”.
+ The narrator uses different metaphors: “little battered creature”, “poor little thing”,
“thin figure”, “new being, a light, frail creature with tangled hair” and “listless figure”
to highlight the miserable condition of the young girl and outlook of Rosemary towards
poor people.
- SIMILES
+ The narrator says “voice like a sigh, almost like a sob” to emphasize the poor young
girl’s sorrows.
+ To depict the young girl as being skinny the narrator says “bird-like shoulders”.
+ The narrator says “Her heart beats like a heavy bell”. This shows how Rosemary feels
insecure and jealous of the poor girl, praised by her husband, Philip for Miss Smith’s
charm looks.
- OXYMORON
+ Philip says “Be frightfully nice to her”. On one hand, it shows the concern of Philip
towards the poor girl. On the other hand, it shows his dialect.
- ALLUSION
+ Mansfield has alluded to “Dostoevsky” to mirror the hypocrisy behind helping the poor
the way Rosemary did.
- HYPERBOLE
+ Mansfield has exaggeratedly explained the wealth of Rosemary in the story. If
Rosemary wants to go shopping, she would prefer Paris unlike common people who go to
Bond Street. “But if Rosemary wanted to shop she would go to Paris as you and I would
go to Bond Street.”
- IRONY
+ Mansfield has allied irony on the philanthropy of upper classes. She rebukes their
intentions to help others which is nothing but to show off and maintain a status in society.
This gives them a point to brag on.