Class 12 Alternative English Chapter 1 A Cup of Tea

Class 12 Alternative English Chapter 1 A Cup of Tea Question answer to each chapter is provided in the list so that you can easily browse through different chapters Assam Board HS Class 12 Alternative English Chapter 1 A Cup of Tea and select needs one.

Class 12 Alternative English Chapter 1 A Cup of Tea

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Also, you can read the SCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per SCERT (CBSE) Book guidelines. These solutions are part of SCERT All Subject Solutions. Here we have given Assam Board Class 12 Alternative English Chapter 1 A Cup of Tea Solutions for All Subject, You can practice these here.

A Cup of Tea

Chapter: 1

PROSE ( Section One )

TEXTUAL QUESTION & ANSWERS

A. State whether these sentences are True or False.

1. Miss Smith was a very rich girl. 

Ans: False.

2. Rosemary was a very compassionate woman.

Ans: True.

3. Philip did not want Miss Smith to dine with them. 

Ans: True.

4. Rosemary had been married for a couple of years.

Ans: True.

B. Answer these questions in one or two words.

1. Which Russian author influenced Katherine Mansfield? 

Ans: Anton Chekhov.

2. In which street was Rosemary shopping when she met Miss Smith? 

Ans: Curzon Street.

3. How many pounds did Rosemary give to Miss Smith? 

Ans: Three pounds.

4. What is the cost of the enamel box that Rosemary wanted to buy?

Ans: Twenty eight guineas. 

5. What is the name of the main character of ‘A Cup of Tea’? 

Ans: Rosemary is the main character of ‘A Cup of Tea’.

C. Answer these questions in a few words each.

1. What are the names of the two women characters in the story ‘A Cup of Tea’?

Ans: Rosemary and Miss Smith are the two women characters in the story ‘A Cup of Tea’.

2. What kind of a relationship do Rosemary and Philip share in ‘A Cup of Tea’? 

Ans: Rosemary and Philip are married couple in ‘A Cup of Tea’.

3. How does Philip react towards Miss Smith?

Ans: He immediately understands the situation when he looks at the hat and coat lying on the floor. He wants to send Miss Smith out, as she belongs to a poor class.

4. Who was Miss Smith? Why did Rosemary send her back? 

Ans: Miss Smith was a poor girl. Rosemary sent her back because she got jealous when Philip called her ‘pretty’ and ‘lovely’.

5. Why did Philip disapprove of Rosemary’s decision to keep Miss Smith with them?

Ans: Philip disapproves because Miss Smith is “astonishingly pretty” and that he is “bowled over” by her beauty.

D. Answer these questions briefly in your own words.

1. Write brief character sketch of Rosemary Fell. 

Ans: Mansfield introduces Rosemary Fell as “not exactly beautiful”. Yet she was rich and led an untroubled, luxurious life with an adoring husband. We cannot decipher the character of Rosemary unless we make allowances for the social hierarchy in which she is rooted. She belongs to the upper strata of society and is well-informed about the latest happenings. Her readings of the great writers have made her an imaginative person with a touch of sensitivity. But regretfully, she has little idea about the realities of the world around her. She was ignorant of the hard life led by the not-so-fortunate people who have to struggle to have food on their tables.

2. Describe Rosemary’s encounter with Miss Smith. 

Ans: One afternoon, Rosemary was shopping at an antique shop on- Curzon Street. While buying goods a poor girl comes to her and asks for the price of a cup of tea. Where Rosemary feels pity on her and brought her home.

3. How does Katherine Mansfield explore the theme of ‘class difference’ in ‘A Cup of Tea’?

Ans: Katherine Mansfield explores the theme of class difference in “A Cup of Tea” by highlighting the stark contrast between Rosemary’s affluent lifestyle and Miss Smith’s poverty. The encounter between the two women exposes the vast divide between their social statuses, showcasing the insensitivity and ignorance of the upper class towards the struggles faced by the lower class.

4. Why did Rosemary take Miss Smith home? 

Ans: Rosemary took Miss Smith to her home so that she can help her. However, as the story progresses, it becomes evident that Rosemary’s motivations are more complex. She becomes intrigued by Miss Smith’s presence and sees her as a way to fulfil her own desire for excitement and a break from her mundane existence.

E. Answer these questions in detail.

1. Examine in detail the various themes explored by Katherine Mansfield in her story ‘A Cup of Tea’. 

Ans: In “A Cup of Tea” by Katherine Mansfield, there are three themes like jealousy and insecurity, Materialism and class and Feminism. In the theme of jealousy and insecurity, we can observe that Rosemary is jealous and insecure from Miss Smith. Materialism and class represents the difference between the status of Miss Smith and Rosemary. The theme of Feminism expresses the inner hidden emotion of Rosemary for Miss Smith.

(a) Jealousy and Insecurity: Rosemary took Miss Smith to her house and promised her to serve her like her sister, but when Philip admired Miss Smith, Rosemary got jealous from Miss Smith. She started feeling insecurity from her. Rosemary thought if Philip will time and again admire Miss Smith then it may possible that Philip will start loving Miss Smith. Rosemary was interested in charity; she wanted to do charity with all her heart. She was interested in helping but her nature of getting jealous and feeling of insecurity has not allowed her to do the noble work of kindness. The writer has presented the general and very particular feeling of jealousy and insecurity.

(b) Materialism and class: Rosemary was very rich, we can say that not only rich rather comfortably rich. The story starts in an antique shop, as a reader we can observe that Rosemary likes to buy things from London and expensive shops. When she came out from the shop she saw a poor girl who demanded a cup of tea from her. Rosemary was very shocked when she comes to know that Miss Smith was not having even a single penny.

Rosemary was famous for her richness. She thought Miss Smith is good opportunity to get fame for being kind. For Rosemary, Miss Smith was not only a poor girl but she was an “opportunity”. Rosemary can be observed as the materialistic character. She was class conscious and she wanted to prove that she can help and take care of poor people. Her act of kindness was not from her heart but it was for fame.

(c) Feminism: The story starts with the statement, “Rosemary Fell was not exactly beautiful”

By this we can observe that when a female is not beautiful but rich, at that time the woman tries to hide her appearance with money. She tries to look beautiful by her mind and her heart. Rosemary also wants to be good and beautiful but when Philip played a game with her, she got disappointed. When Philip admired Miss Smith she really got jealous and told Miss Smith to leave the house.

In this story we can consider both female characters as victims. Rosemary is the victim of male psyche and Miss Smith is the victim of female psyche.

2. Comment on the significance of the title of the story ‘A Cup of Tea ‘. 

Ans: The plot of the story hinges on a nameless and hungry young woman who asks the very wealthy Rosemary for the price of a cup of tea. Rosemary finds this extraordinary and thinks it will be an adventure to take her home: “Supposing she did do one of those things she was always reading about or seeing on the stage, what would happen? It would be thrilled.” 

Rosemary is clearly more interested in collecting the young woman as an object than seeing her as an individual. She doesn’t ask her name and thinks of her as “that dim person beside her.”

Rosemary, when she gets the young woman home, gives her tea:

She plied the poor little creature with everything, all the sandwiches, all the bread and butter, and every time her cup was empty she filled it with tea, cream and sugar.

Yet to Rosemary, the girl is simply another pretty object, a substitute for the expensive box she didn’t buy. It is as if the girl is the cup of tea.

When Rosemary’s husband, however, sees the young woman, she becomes a human being. Having to introduce her to her husband, Rosemary learns for the first time that her name is Miss Smith. Once Miss Smith is shown to be prettier than Rosemary-“astonishingly pretty” Rosemary’s husband calls her-Rosemary’s view of her changes. At this point she is competition, and therefore, not Rosemary’s cup of tea. Rosemary gets rid of her and decides to buy the “fascinating little box” instead.

So being asked for the price of the cup of tea sets the story is motion, and at the end Miss Smith turns out not to be Rosemary’s cup of tea.

ADDITIONAL QUESTION & ANSWERS

A. Very Short Answer Type Question:

1. Who is the author of “A Cup of Tea?” 

Ans: Katherine Mansfield is the author of “A Cup of Tea”.

2. What is the setting of the story? 

Ans: A Cup of Tea is set in 1920s London.

3. In the beginning of the story, how is Rosemary described?

Ans: “Not exactly beautiful” 

4. Describe Rosemary Fell and her manner of living.

Ans: Rosemary was affluent and modern well dressed and well read. 

5. Why did Rosemary take Miss Smith home? What plans did she have for her?

Ans: She took her home to give her a cup of tea and look after her.

6. What made Rosemary change her mind about Miss Smith? Why did she send her away?

Ans: Because she got jealous of her husband calling Miss Smith pretty.

7. Why does Rosemary like shopping at antique stores? 

Ans: Rosemary believes in materialism. She also likes the way of flattery which the shopkeeper at the antique shop treats her.

8. What does Rosemary’s response to the shopkeeper’s flattery reveal about her character?

Ans: Rosemary is fond of getting a treatment full of flattery. She is easily influenced by the owner at the antique shop

9. What is The Milliner’s Gazette’? 

Ans: ‘The Milliner’s Gazette’ is a cheap magazine which is popular among working class women.

10. How does Philip react towards Miss Smith?

Ans: He immediately understands the situation when he looks at the hat and coat lying on the floor. He wants to send Miss Smith out, as she belongs to a poor class.

B. Short Answer Type Question:

1. What made Rosemary Fell appear before her husband as pretty as she could?

Ans: She could not bear the fact that her husband is praising a stranger so she dismisses Miss Smith. Rosemary then dresses herself up prettily, doing her hair, darkening her eyes and putting on her pearls in order to prove herself equally pretty. She succeeds in getting from Philip the assurance that she is really pretty.

2. Who is Miss Smith? Under what circumstances was she brought by Rosemary to her own home? Why did she send her back? 

Ans: Miss Smith was a “little battered creature with enormous eyes”, almost her age, begging her for a “cup of tea”. She is the girl whom Rosemary treats with affection one moment and dismisses abruptly in another moment.

It seemed like an adventure to Rosemary and she began to wonder what would happen if she took the unknown girl home and do things which a fairy godmother would do. She is filled with good intentions and, therefore insisted that the girl accompany her home.

She could not bear the fact that her husband is praising a stranger. Hence, she dismisses Miss Smith gifting her three pounds out of the five that she had initially intended to give her.

3. Why did Rosemary take Miss Smith home? What plans did she have for her?

Ans: Rosemary took Miss Smith home because she was surprised when the poor girl asks her for money for buying a cup of tea. She planned to take a poor girl home, give her some tea, and show her to friends, saying: ‘I simply took her home with me.’ She naively thinks that everyone would compliment her for helping a poor girl: but, the end of the story is quite different from Rosemary’s fantasy.

4. What made Rosemary change her mind about Miss Smith? Why did she send her away?

Ans: Rosemary changed her mind about Miss Smith when she saw that her husband, Philip tactfully remarks on Miss Smith’s looks. This remark arouses her jealousy and to change her mind about Miss Smith. Rosemary became jealous of Miss Smith’s beauty and she decided to send her away by giving some money..

5. How can you say that Rosemary feels insecure about her own physical appearance? 

Ans: How insecure Rosemary may feel about her physical appearance is noticeable by the fact that after Miss Smith leaves Rosemary’s home,

she does up her hair, darkens her eyes a little and puts on her pearls. This action is important enough to suggest that Rosemary is attempting to make herself pretty, at least in Philip’s eyes. The fact that Rosemary asks Philip for money to buy the little box may also be significant as it shows the importance of material things to Rosemary. The story ends with Rosemary asking Philip, “Am I pretty ?” and this shows how insecure Rosemary feels about her physical appearance.

6. How does Rosemary treat the poor girl at home? 

Ans: She takes the girl home, ushers (takes) her into her private bedroom, and makes her comfortable. When the girl begins to cry, she puts her arm around the girl’s thin bird-like shoulders and promises to look after her. When Rosemary’s husband Philip asks about her identity, the young girl tells what a false name (Smith) is clearly.

7. Why was Rosemary unable to buy the box at the antique shop? 

Ans: After admiring the box once again she put on her gloves. She had to take her husband’s permission to buy that box. As men are not interested in these types of things, and women are dependent on men economically so Rosemary could not buy that box.

8. Is Rosemary a good kind-hearted lady or a superficial one? 

Ans: Rosemary is not a kind-hearted lady. She shows sympathy towards a poor girl, and instead of giving her the price of tea, she drags her home. Rosemary’s intention in doing so is just to influence her friends, and building an image of godmother in the poor girl’s mind.

9. Which is the main turning point in the story? Explain. 

Ans: Rosemary’s change of attitude towards Miss Smith after Philip tells her that he thinks Miss Smith is pretty is the main turning point in the story. It is from Philip’s remark that the reader realises not only is Rosemary jealous of Miss Smith (because she is pretty) but she also appears to be insecure about her own physical appearance. It may also be the case that Philip is attempting to manipulate or control Rosemary, By telling Rosemary that Miss Smith is pretty, Philip is aware that it will result in Rosemary not only feeling jealous but it will also ensure that Miss Smith leaves their home.

10. Why does Philip want to send Miss Smith out of his home? 

Ans: Philip, Rosemary’s husband is shocked by two things – First by how attractive Miss Smith is and second by the inappropriate relationship that exists between the two women. The girl might be an unemployed shop girl who is sponging off his wealthy wife, but at a deeper level there is a suggestion that she might be a woman of questionable character. At the time in the early 20th century, the employment of single females in occupation such as milliner (hat maker), shop assistant and other forms of lowly jobs were regarded loosely as prostitutes.

11. What is “A Cup of Tea” about?

Ans: “A Cup of Tea” is a short story by Katherine Mansfield that revolves around a wealthy woman, Rosemary Fell, who encounters a young, impoverished girl named Miss Smith. Rosemary’s impulsive decision to help Miss Smith leads to unexpected consequences and a poignant revelation.

12. What is the significance of the title “A Cup of Tea” in the story? 

Ans: The title symbolizes the superficial act of offering comfort and generosity, but it also represents the stark contrast between the privileged and the less fortunate, highlighting the theme of class distinction.

13. Describe the character of Rosemary Fell and her transformation throughout the story. 

Ans: Rosemary Fell is a wealthy woman who leads a privileged and sheltered life. Initially self-absorbed and disconnected from the realities of the world, her encounter with Miss Smith challenges her perceptions and leads to a transformation of empathy and self-awareness.

14. Analyze the character of Miss Smith and her role in the story. 

Ans: Miss Smith is a young, impoverished girl who represents the lower class. She serves as a catalyst for Rosemary’s transformation and acts as a symbol of the stark contrast between wealth and poverty. Her presence exposes Rosemary to the harsh realities of life outside her privileged bubble.

15. Discuss the theme of class distinction and its portrayal in the story.

Ans: Class distinction is a central theme in “A Cup of Tea.” The story explores the stark divide between the wealthy upper class and the less fortunate. It delves into the complexities of social hierarchies, compassion, and the potential for empathy across class boundaries.

16. How does Mansfield use symbolism in the story, and what are some examples?

Ans: Mansfield employs symbolism to convey deeper meanings. For example, the cup of tea itself symbolizes superficial acts of charity. Additionally, the diamond earrings given by Rosemary to Miss Smith symbolize the wealth and privilege that ultimately separate them.

17. Discuss the role of wealth and materialism in the story.

Ans: Wealth and materialism serve as significant motifs throughout the story. They highlight the disconnect between the privileged and the less fortunate, and they underscore the potential hollowness of a life solely focused on material possessions. 

18. Explore the theme of compassion and its development in the narrative.

Ans: The theme of compassion emerges as Rosemary’s encounter with Miss Smith challenges her worldview. Initially driven by a momentary impulse to help, Rosemary’s compassion grows as she realizes the depth of Miss Smith’s struggles and begins to question her own privilege. 

19. Examine the role of society’s expectations and norms shaping the characters’ actions.

Ans: The story subtly explores the pressure of societal expectations and the limitations they impose. Rosemary’s initial response to Miss Smith’s appearance reflects her concern about public perception and the need to conform to societal norms.

20. Discuss the narrative structure and writing style employed by Mansfield.

Ans: Mansfield’s narrative structure follows a linear timeline, providing insight into the characters’ thoughts and emotions. Her writing style is characterized by vivid descriptions, introspection, and a focus on subtle details that reveal the characters’ inner lives.

21. What is the central message or take away from “A Cup of Tea”?

Ans: “A Cup of Tea” explores themes of class distinction, compassion, and self-awareness. The story encourages readers to examine their own privilege, consider the complexities of human relationships across social boundaries, and reflect on the potential for personal growth and empathy.

C. Long Answer Type Question:

1. Sketch the character of Rosemary Fell. 

Ans: Mansfield introduces Rosemary Fell as “not exactly beautiful”. Yet she was rich and led an untroubled, luxurious life with an adoring husband. We cannot decipher the character of Rosemary unless we make allowances for the social hierarchy in which she is rooted. She belongs to the upper strata of society and is well-informed about the latest happenings. Her readings of the great writers have made her an imaginative person with a touch of sensitivity. But regretfully, she has little idea about the realities of the world around her. She was ignorant of the hard life led by the not-so-fortunate people who have to struggle to have food on their tables. As you have read in the story, Rosemary is forced to encounter the ‘other’ world- the world of poverty which was in sharp contrast to her ‘ideal’ world when she met a ragged creature one chilly winter afternoon pleading her for a “cup of tea”. 

This meeting with a stranger with “reddened hands” and “enormous eyes” prompts her to be a fairy godmother of the kind she has read in her fictive books. It is ironical that her knowledge of the real world is based on the books she has read and the plays she had seen. She finds it “extraordinary” that the girl has no money at all. Rich as she is, she cannot think one could be so poor as to not have any money at all. Her mind is therefore filled with good intentions to help this destitute girl and relieve her from her distress. What I would like to stress here is that the point here is not Rosemary’s desire to solve the girl’s problem, but her total inability to understand the problem itself. Very enthusiastically, she takes the girl home and she is thrilled to be of help to her. 

She also imagines telling her friends later on how she had bestowed her benevolence upon the girl. But all her fervour soon evaporates when her husband Philip comments on the prettiness of Miss Smith and how he was “bowled over” by her beauty. Philip’s remarks arouse her jealousy and she dismisses the girl without much ado gifting her only three pounds. This perverse rejection of the girl lies at the heart of the story. Thus, her womanly possessiveness and insecurity got the better of her good intentions and superficial refinements. Her “Am 1 pretty?” is only a reflection of her insecurity as Philip’s wife.

2. What kind of a relationship do Rosemary and Philip share in “A Cup of Tea”?

Ans: In “A Cup of Tea,” Rosemary walks into a shop and sees a beautiful and expensive little box that costs twenty eight guineas. She asks the proprietor to keep it for her, and it seems evident that she is debating the cost. As she’s leaving, a young woman, a beggar, asks her for enough money to buy a cup of tea. Rosemary has these wonderful intentions to help the woman, Miss Smith, who has no money at all. In fact, Rosemary fantasizes about helping Miss Smith by taking care of her indefinitely, and she takes the young woman home to begin to care for her. When Rosemary explains her intentions to her husband, Philip, who has just seen Miss Smith, he calls her “mad”” and insists that “It simply can’t be done.”” 

Rosemary begins to argue with him when he interrupts to tell her that Miss Smith is so pretty. This stops Rosemary in her tracks. We might wonder if Philip really doesn’t want Rosemary helping Miss Smith, and so he says the one thing he knows would stop Rosemary from opposing him. A moment later, Philip repeats his praise of Miss Smith’s beauty, calling Rosemary, “my child.”” From a husband to a wife, this is a pretty shocking term of endearment. She’s his wife, his peer and partner, not a child who needs petted and coddled. We begin to understand that Philip thinks of his wife not as an equal but as someone lesser than he, someone to be petted and coddled, like a child. Rosemary leaves, going to her room to fix her hair and put on make-up and jewellery; we see her count out five one-pound notes, and then return two of them to the drawer. Her husband’s manipulation has worked. 

He made Rosemary jealous, and so she evidently gives Miss Smith-to whom she made such promises of a new life-three pounds and sends her away. In the end, Philip calls Rosemary his “little wasteful one”” when she asks for the expensive box, and she asks him if she’s pretty. Rosemary seems like a doll, interested in pretty things like flowers and enamel boxes, and she wants to be appreciated for her beauty even more so than for her good intentions and generosity toward Miss Smith. Philip wants a pretty and submissive wife, and Rosemary wants her husband to think of her as pretty, and so she defers to him in order to retain his good opinion (and not have to share it with another woman).

3. Describe Rosemary Fell and her manner of living. 

Ans: Rosemary Fell is affluent, well-read, and modern. She has been married for two years and her husband adores her. Rosemary lives in a world of fantasy. She imagines that it would be thrilling to take a poor girl home, give her some tea, and show her to friends, saying: ‘I simply took her home with me.’ She naively thinks that everyone would compliment her for helping a poor girl: but, the end of the story is quite different from Rosemary’s fantasy. Moreover, being a very affluent person, she does not know the needs of the poor. She is surprised when the poor girl asks her for money for buying a cup of tea. After taking the girl home Rosemary insists on taking off her coat and hat without offering a cup of tea-which the poor girl badly needed. From the world of fantasy, she comes down to the world of reality, when her husband, Philip tactfully remarks that he is struck by Miss Smith’s looks. 

This remark arouses her jealousy. She decides to send the poor girl away after giving her some money; instead of giving the hapless girl at least a five-pound note, Rosemary gives three pounds and sends her off. This act reveals Rosemary’s pusillanimity and jealousy-as her initial generosity limits itself to three pounds only. Rosemary’s impulsive thought “women were sisters” proves to be mere rhetoric. It is also a comment on the suspicion with which women regard other members of their own sex. Sisterhood can only be sustained as long as there is no man on the scene. But Philip’s comment on the wife’s enchanting looks effectively demolishes Rosemary’s noble, if somewhat superficial impulses, and her insecurity surfaces in her need for reassurance.

4. Write a short note on the character of Miss Smith. 

Ans: Miss Smith is a relatively minor character in the story. She is the girl whom Rosemary treats with affection one moment and dismisses abruptly in another moment. Miss Smith is just a means for Rosemary to display her artificial generosity. As you read the story you may recall the moment when Miss Smith first speaks to Rosemary, asking her for a ‘cup of tea. She is absolutely without money which seems ‘extraordinary’ to Rosemary. A sudden decision to indulge in an adventure makes Rosemary take the girl to her home. Unaccustomed to such kind of charity, Miss Smith would not believe Rosemary and thought that she was being taken to the police station. At Rosemary’s house, she was more surprised to see Rosemary taking every care to make her comfortable. Too startled at first, she now begins to shed her shyness and tales the slight meal offered by Rosemary. But Miss Smith was dismissed by Rosemary when she found that her husband Philip was being ‘bowled over’ by the girl’s beauty.

5. Describe the use of symbolism in the story. 

Ans: Mansfield appears to be using symbolism utilizing atmospheric setting. Rosemary’s melancholy mood is highlighted after she is unable to buy the little box. There was a cold bitter taste in the air and the new- lighted lamps looked sad. In many ways this setting mirrors how Rosemary may feel about having to leave the shop without buying the little box. The flowers that Rosemary buys may also have symbolic importance. By telling the reader that Rosemary wanted many kinds of flowers and four bunches of roses, Mansfield may be further highlighting how different Rosemary is from other people (due to her wealth) and how extravagant she is.

6. How does Katherine Mansfield use symbolism, setting, and characterization to explore themes of class distinction, compassion, and the potential for personal growth and self-awareness in “A Cup of Tea”?

Ans: In “ACup of Tea,” Katherine Mansfield skilfully employs symbolism, setting, and characterization to delve into themes of class distinction, compassion, and personal growth.

Symbolism plays a crucial role in conveying deeper meanings in the story. The cup of tea itself symbolizes the superficial act of charity and compassion, as Rosemary Fell impulsively offers the tea to Miss Smith. It represents the privileged class’s tendency to engage in token acts of kindness without truly understanding or empathizing with the less fortunate. The diamond earrings that Rosemary gives to Miss Smith symbolize wealth and material possessions, emphasizing the stark contrast between their lives and underscoring the potential hollowness of a life focused solely on material wealth.

The setting also contributes to the exploration of themes in the story. Mansfield depicts Rosemary’s lavish home and luxurious lifestyle, representing the upper-class environment that shields her from the harsh realities of the world. Conversely, the contrast is established through the depiction of the streets outside Rosemary’s house, where Miss Smith resides. The dilapidated surroundings and the impoverished neighbourhood reflect the struggles and hardships faced by the less privileged.

Characterization is another powerful tool used by Mansfield to explore the themes. Rosemary Fell is initially portrayed as a self-absorbed and disconnected character, reflecting the ignorance and apathy of the privileged class. However, her encounter with Miss Smith serves as a catalyst for personal growth and self-awareness. As Rosemary starts to understand Miss Smith’s plight, her perspective shifts, and she begins questioning her own privilege. This transformation highlights the potential for empathy and personal growth across class boundaries.

Through the combination of symbolism, setting, and characterization, Mansfield weaves a narrative that explores the complexities of class distinction, compassion, and personal growth. “A Cup of Tea” urge readers to examine their own privilege, challenge societal norms, and recognize the potential for empathy and self-awareness as transformative forces in bridging the gap between different social classes.

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