An analysis of “A Cup of Tea” written by Katherine Mansfield

A Cup of Tea is a short story.

It’s 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 story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator, in a conversa-

tional manner. Appearances have a lot of importance in this story. Mansfield
depicts the class difference and hypocrisy seen in New Zealand during the early
20th century. Rosemary appears to be a caring and kind woman but she has
selfish intentions. She only helps the poor girl because she thinks it will im-
prove her status among her friends. This reflects how the upper-class society
only acts for their own benefit and they only help the poor to gain praise.

The title is topical. A Cup of Tea connotes the holier-than-thou nature of upper
classes how they even would virtuous acts for their own beneficial purpose. By
making themselves hypocritically pious to upgrade their social status and gain
praise from society. Their true intentions are not assisting them rather manipu-
lating them. Rosemary did the same while helping Miss. Smith. Her intentions
weren’t to help her but to boast her act of kindness in society.

In the whole story, readers may find the appearance in contrast to reality. On
the surface, the person seems different however his intentions are something
else. In this way, Mansfield portrays hypocrisy in New Zealand’s perturbed so-
ciety. Rosemary on the surface strikes kind and caring by taking care of Miss.
Smith.
However, the reality of her intentions is full of hypocrisy. She helps her not out
of kindness or cares rather for her own interests. She thought by helping so
would give her a chance of upgrading her status and boasting her action.

In a similar manner, Mansfield pinpoints her society in which upper classes

were taking advantage of virtuous acts for their own benefits. They help the
poor to gain praise and material objects.

Rosemary has made a prototype of jealousy and insecurity. At first, she appears
kind and helps Miss. Smith. But in the end, when her husband, Philip praises
Miss. Smith got jealous and insecure.

In order to get rid of Miss. Smith gives her money. Afterwards, she did some
makeup and tried to attract the attention of her husband by her charming looks.

Class distinction is also explicit in the story. Miss. Smith belongs to the lower
class; she even didn’t have enough money for a cup of tea. For this, she begs
Rosemary. In contrast, Rosemary is a rich woman having every luxury of life.
She appears well dressed while Miss. Smith is in a miserable situation.

This draws a comparison between both classes. On one hand, the wealthy are
enjoying everything in their life. On the other hand, lower classes are exposed
to hunger and disrespect at the hands of the upper classes.

The time frame of this story is set in the 1920s. However, the location shifts
twice. Firstly, it takes place at the small antique shop on Curzon Street. Subse-
quently, it shifts to Fell’s house.
The author skillfully portrays his character. Rosemary is a materialistic and
snobbish woman. She keeps chasing materialistic things and cares about ap-
pearances a lot. She’s selfish for the most part and pretentious. She may have
been selfish but we find that she’s also venerable the same as everyone. She has
her own insecurities. Her husband’s attraction towards Miss Smith hurts her and
compels her to become rude. At the end of the story she asks her husband “am I
pretty?” this shows that she too wants validation. She wants someone to value
her and recognize her for who she is.