'A Cup of Tea' by Katherine Mansfield

For Educational Purpose.

1. ‘A Cup of Tea’ by Katherine Mansfield Prepared by Insiyafatema Alvani Student of Department of English, MKBU Vir tual teacher's day 5th September 2023

2. T able of contents 01 03 02 About Author Early Writings Thematic study of Story

3. Katherine Mansfield was a multifaceted talent, known as a writer, artist, and essayist. She was born in New Zealand and emerged as a important figure in the Modernist literary movement. Mansfield is celebrated primarily for her exceptional short stories. Her work was extensively published in literary journals across Europe and Australia during the early 20th century, confirming her profound impact on the world of literature. Katherine Mansfield

4. Katherine Mansfield's writing journey began at a young age. Her first published story emerged in 1898 when she was just ten, in "The High School Reporter" at Wellington Girls School. Two years later, at the age of twelve, she achieved her first commercial publication in the "New Zealand Graphic and Ladies Journal." Katherine Mansfield's stories are like intricately painted canvases, exploring the complexities of life and the depths of the human mind. Within her narratives, readers encounter dramatic situations and compelling characters, making her work captivating and thought-provoking. Early Writing s

5. ‘A Cup of Tea’ by Katherine Mansfield is a captivating story known for its gentle irony in the conclusion. first published in a journal called Story-Teller and later appeared in the collection called The Dove’s Nest and Other Stories. The story's central character, Rosemary Fell, exhibits a dual nature in her actions and motivations. The story "A Cup of Tea" by Katherine Mansfield is set in London during the 1920s. The time and place play a significant role in shaping the story's social and cultural context, particularly in highlighting the class distinctions and societal norms of the era. ‘A Cup of Tea’

6. Characters’ There are three main characters in the Story ‘A Cup of Tea ‘ 1 Rosemary Fell 2 Phillip Fell 3 Miss Smith.

7. Rosemary initially extended kindness to Miss Smith but grew jealous and insecure when her husband, Philip, admired Miss Smith's beauty, fearing it might lead to his affection for Miss Smith. Rosemary's conflicting desires to perform acts of charity and her personal struggles with jealousy and insecurity illustrate the complex interplay of these emotions, providing insight into the broader themes of the story. The theme shapes Rosemary's character and highlights the impact of insecurity on decisions and relationships. Jealousy and insecurity

8. The story explores the theme of materialism as Rosemary Fell, a wealthy woman, values material possessions and luxury items. Class distinctions play a significant role in the story, as Rosemary occupies a higher social class compared to Miss Smith, highlighting the divisions in society based on social and economic status. These class differences lead to conflicts in the narrative, and Rosemary's initial intentions to help Miss Smith come into question as they appear to be motivated by a desire for recognition and fame. This theme contributes to Rosemary's character development and prompts reflection on the impact of materialism and social status on human behavior in a class-conscious society. Materialism and Class

9. The story starts with the statement, “Rosemary Fell was not exactly beautiful” The story explores societal expectations placed on women in the 1920s. A Cup of Tea" challenges traditional gender roles, portraying Rosemary Fell as an independent woman, as she asserts her choices. The narrative touches on the intersectionality of gender and class distinctions, adding complexity to the theme of feminism. 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. Feminism

10. Thank you Do you have questio n? [email protected]