"A Cup of Tea"
Contemporary Issues
Rosemary shows her self consciousness and you can see the jealousy she has in Miss. Smith. This is only a natural human reaction which many experience today.
Today, you can go to NYC and see people shopping at high end stores to others sitting on the sidewalk with no where to go.
The different level of social classes will always be present iin the world.
Style
Characterization
The way Mansfield explains each character through dialogue helps for the reader to understand each person's personality better.
Philip- The typical richman during this time period. Philip is the "man of the house" and the reader can tell he has power over Rosemary. Everything she does needs to be discussed with him and the money she spends is said to be his.
Miss. Smith- This character helps for the reader to see a different side of Rosemary. Miss. Smith is a homeless poor woman who has nothing to her name. By asking for money you see how desperate she is and get a view of how Rosemary uses the woman to her own advantage.
Rosemary- A woman from the higher class has no job in public or at home. She has maids and workers to take care of everything for her so she spends most of her time shopping. Rosemary seems unaware of everything going on around her because when she sees a homeless woman she is surprised to know the woman has no money at all.
Store Owner- A typical working man at this time. He showing expensive items to Rosemary because it is obvious she has money. Seems to be middle class.
Word Choice
Katherine Mansfield's word choice helps the reader to learn more about Rosemary. The fact that Rosemary uses proper language reflects her higher class status.
-"quaint creatures.." (pg.1047)
-"How extraordinary!" (pg. 1049)
-"This is my friend Miss. Smith." (pg.1051)
Social Classes
During this time, differenct social classes were seperated. Rarely would you see a rich man talking to lower class man or a rich woman talking to a working woman.
"A Cup of Tea" takes place during the twentieth century when an upper class woman would not be found working outside of the home. Even then, her work consisted of telling maids and others what to do. Never was any work strenuous.
Motivation
A character's reason for acting, thinking, or feeling in a certain way.
Roemary's motivation to send
the women out of her house
comes from her husband's reaction.
In this case, her motivation feeds off
of her husband explaining the beauty
of Miss. Smith and Rosemary's jealousy
of her.
Rosemary feels the need to help the homeless woman, Miss. Smith, not as a benefit for the woman but so she can have a thrilling moment in life.
