Get AHSEC Class 12 A Cup of Tea Question Answers prepared as per academic session 2024-2025. HS 2nd Year A Cup of Tea Solution with most important questions can be a great resource for your preparation.
About the author of “A Cup of Tea”
KATHERINE MANSFIELD
Katherine Mansfield was born in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1888 and is one of the best short story writers of the 20th century. She focused on the psychological aspects of her characters. Her stories deal with themes like fragile relationships, class issues, women’s roles, existential crises, war’s anxiety, and the clash between love and disillusionment. Her notable works include “Bliss and Other Stories” (1920), “In a German Pension” (1911), “The Garden Party and Other Stories” (1922), and “The Doves’ Nest and Other Stories” (1923). Her famous story “A Cup of Tea” (1922) was published in the magazine Story-Teller and later included in “The Doves’ Nest and Other Stories.”
Brief Summary of A Cup of Tea by Katherine Mansfield AHSEC Class 12
Katherine Mansfield’s short story A cup of Tea’ revolves around Rosemary, a snobbish upper class woman. Rosemary is described as extremely modern’ and ‘exquisitely well dressed, but the narrator remarks that she is not the kind to be considered “beautiful”. Rosemary tries to compensate for this by living a life of extreme comfort, style and fashion. She has a taste for expensive antique products.
One winter evening Rosemary unexpectedly meets a poor young girl named Miss Smith. The girl is starving and begging for the price of a cup of tea to keep her warm. Rosemary is struck by the chance encounter with the girl. It appears to her as something out of a Dostoevsky novel. She romanticises Miss Smith’s suffering as she believes that nobody could be so poor that could not even afford a cup of tea. Rosemary takes the girl home with the intention of giving her a better life. Rosemary’s actions are motivated more by a desire to show off her generosity and gain recognition from her upper-class friends, rather than genuine kindness.
Rosemary offers Miss Smith tea and brandy at home Her husband Philip disapproved to keep a stranger in their home. He provokes Rosemary’s jealousy by admiring the beauty of Miss Smith. This exposes the artificial behaviour and hypocrisy of Rosemary and her romantic dreams conflict with reality. She immediately chases Miss Smith away by offering her a present of money. Rosemary then tries to attract her husband’s attention by asking him Am I Pretty?” and expressing her desire to buy a little enamel box from the antique shop on Curzon Street.
Assam Board Class 12 Alternative English Notes for 2025 Exam
Chapter: 1 A Cup of Tea
(A) Very Short Questions & Answers: Mark: 1
1. State whether these sentences are True or False:
(i) Miss Smith was a very rich girl.
Ans. False.
(ii) Rosemary was a very compassionate woman.
Ans. True.
(iii) Philip did not want Miss Smith to dine with them.
Ans. True.
(iv) Rosemary had been married for a couple of years.
Ans. True.
(v) Miss Smith asked Rosemary for the price of cups of tea.
Ans. False.
2. Which Russian author influenced Katherine Mansfield?
Ans. The Russian author Dostoevsky influenced Katherine Mansfield.
3. In which street was Rosemary shopping when she met Miss Smith?
Ans. Rosemary was shopping in Curzon Street when she met Miss Smith.
4. How many pounds did Rosemary give to Miss Smith?
Ans. Rosemary gave three pound notes to Miss Smith.
5. What is the cost of the enamel box that Rosemary wanted to buy?
Ans. The cost of the enamel box that Rosemary wanted to buy is twenty-eight guineas.
6. What is the name of the main character of ‘A Cup of Tea’?
Ans. The name of the main character of ‘A cup of Tea’ is Rosemary Fell.
7. Who is the author of the short story ‘A Cup of Tea’?
Ans. The author of the short story ‘A Cup of Tea’ is Katherine Mansfield.
8. What is ‘The Milliner’s Gazette’ mentioned in ‘A Cup of Tea’?
Ans. ‘The Milliner’s Gazette’ is a cheap magazine which is popular among working class women.
9. Name the son of Rosemary Fell in ‘A Cup of Tea’.
Ans. Michael.
10. Where was the short story ‘A Cup of Tea’ first pub- lished?
Ans. The short story ‘A Cup of Tea’ was first published in the magazine ‘Story Teller’.
11. What is Rosemary Fell’s social status?
Ans. Rosemary Fell is a wealthy woman from the upper class.
12. What does Rosemary buy for Miss Smith during their shopping trip?
Ans. Rosemary purchases a pair of boots for Miss Smith during their shopping trip.
(B) Short Questions & Answers : Marks: 2
1. How does Philip react towards Miss Smith?
Ans. Philip immediately understands the situation when he sees the hat and coat lying on the floor. He wants to send Miss Smith away, as she belongs to a poor class.
2. Who was Miss Smith? Why did Rosemary send her back?
Ans. Miss Smith was a poor young girl. Rosemary sent her back because she got jealous of Miss Smith when Philip called her pretty and lovely.
3. Why did Philip disapprove of Rosemary’s decision to keep Miss Smith with them?
Ans. Philip disapproved of Rosemary’s decision to keep Miss Smith with them. He believed that it would disrupt their routine and introduce an unwelcome presence into their lives.
4. What are the names of the two women characters in the story ‘A Cup of Tea’?
Ans. Rosemary Fell and Miss Smith are the two women char- acters in the story ‘A Cup of Tea’.
5. What kind of relationship do Rosemary and Philip share in ‘A Cup of Tea’?
Ans. Rosemary Fell and Philip are married couple i.e. wife and husband. Rosemary’s husband absolutely adored her.
6. Why does Rosemary like shopping at antique stores?
Ans. Rosemary Fell believes in materialism. She also likes the way of flattery which the shopkeeper at the antique shop treats her.
7. 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. This reveals that she is easily influenced by the owner at the antique shop.
8. Why did Rosemary take Miss Smith home? What plans did she have for her?
Ans. Rosemary Fell took Miss Smith to her home to give the latter a cup of tea. Rosemary had a plan to alleviate Miss Smith’s suffering and show compassion.
9. Describe Rosemary Fell and her manner of living?
Ans. Rosemary Fell was affluent and modern. She was well dressed and well read.
10. How does Miss Smith react when Rosemary Fell invites her for tea?
Ans. When Rosemary Fell invites Miss Smith for tea the latter initially hesitates. But eventually she accepts Rosemary’s invitation.
11. How does Rosemary feel after encountering Miss Smith?
Ans. After encountering Miss Smith, Rosemary experiences a mix of curiosity, compassion and a desire to help Miss Smith.
12. What is the significance of the eternal box in the story ‘A Cup of Tea’?
Ans. The eternal box in the story ‘A cup of Tea’ symbolizes luxury and serves as an object of desire for Rosemary.
13. How does Rosemary’s encounter with Miss Smith challenge her self-perception?
Ans. Rosemary’s encounter with Miss Smith forces her to ques-tion her values, priorities and the authenticity of her act of kindness.
14. What does the story ‘A cup of Tea’ suggest about the limitations of compassion?
Ans. The story ‘A cup of Tea’ suggests that acts of compassion can be driven by complex motivations and may not always bridge the gap between different social classes.
(C) Long Questions & Answers : Marks: 4
1. Write a brief character sketch of Rosemary Fell.
Ans. Rosemary Fell is the main character in the story ‘A cup of Tea’. She is a wealthy and privileged woman who enjoys a comfortable lifestyle. She is described as attractive and fashionable, with a taste for luxury. She is also portrayed as impulsive. She is easily influenced by her emotions. 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.
2. Describe Rosemary’s encounter with Miss Smith.
Ans. One winter afternoon Rosemary Fell was shopping in a little antique shop in Curzon Street. While she was about to go a young, thin, dark and shadowy girl came to her and asked for the price of a cup of tea. Rosemary turned and saw a little battered creature with enormous eyes, quite young, no older than herself clutched at her coat collar with reddened hands and shivered as though she had just come out of the water. Overwhelmed by a sudden impulse of compassion, Rosemary brought Miss Smith to her home for tea.
3. How does Katherine Mansfield explore the theme of ‘class difference’ in ‘A cup of Tea’?
Ans. Katherine Mansfield, in her story A cup of Tea’, explores the theme of class difference by high-lighting the stark contrast between Rosemary’s affluent lifestyle and Miss Smith’s poverty. The encounter between the two women- exposes the vast difference between their social status. This show-cases the intensivity and ignorance of the upper class towards the struggles faced by the lower class.
4. Why did Rosemary take Miss Smith home?
Ans. Rosemary Fell took Miss Smith to her home initially out of a spontaneous desire to help someone in need. But as the story progressed it became evident that Rosemary’s mo- tivations regarding Miss Smith were more complex. She became intrigued by Miss Smith’s presence. She saw Miss Smith as a way to fulfil her own desire for excitement and a break from her mundane existence.
5. What is the significance of the title of the story ‘A Cup of Tea’?
Ans. The title of the story ‘A Cup of Tea’ symbolizes a seem- ingly simple act of hospitality and kindness. As the story unfolds, the title takes on a deeper meaning. The cup of tea becomes a metaphorical representation of the social and emotional barriers that exist between people of differ- ent classes. It signifies the bridging of these barriers and the crossing of boundaries, as Rosemary invites Miss Smith into her privileged world. Ultimately the title encapsulates the larger themes of story, including compassion, self- reflection and the complexities of human relationships.
6. Examine in detail the various themes explored by Katherine Mansfield in her story ‘A Cup of Tea’.
Ans. Katherine Mansfield, in her story A Cup of Tea’ explores several themes that shed light on the complexities of human nature and societal dynamics.
One prominent theme is the stark contrast between social classes. Mansfield highlights the indifference and lack of understanding that often exist between people of different social status. The story exposes the superficiality and ignorance of the upper class towards the struggles faced by the lower class.
Another theme is the nature of compassion and its limitations. Rosemary’s initial impulse to help Miss Smith is driven by a genuine desire to alleviate suffering, but it is later revealed that her actions are also influenced by a need for excitement and self-gratification.
The theme of identity and self-perception is also preva- lent in the story. Mansfield delves into the internal struggle faced by Rosemary as she grapples with her own sense of self-worth and the desire to be seen as a compassionate and generous person.
7. Write a short note on the character of Miss Smith.
Ans. Miss Smith is relatively a minor character in the story ‘A cup of Tea’. She is the girl whom Rosemary Fell treats with affection one moment and dismisses abruptly in an- other moment. Miss Smith is just a means for Rosemary to display her artificial generosity. Miss Smith is absolutely without money when she asks Rosemany the price of a cup of tea. When Rosemary wished to take her home 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.
Miss Smith now begins to shed her shyness and takes 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.
8. Analyse the role of Philip in ‘A Cup of Tea’ and his influence on Rosemary’s decision.
Ans. Rosemary’s husband Philip plays a significant role in ‘A Cup of Tea’. He acts as a contrast to Rosemary’s char- acter. He is depicted as practical, sensible and concerned about social conventions. Philip disapproves of Rosemary’s decision to bring Miss Smith home, primarily due to his reservations about the class difference. His disapproval challenges Rosemary’s initial desire to help Miss Smith purely out of compassion.
Philip’s influence on Rosemary is evident in her internal struggle to balance her own desires with societal expecta- tions. While Philip’s disapproval creates tension between them it also acts as a catalyst for Rosemary’s introspection and personal growth, ultimately, Philip serves as a foil to Rosemary, highlighting the conflict between societal norms and individual compassion.
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, insists 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 symbolises 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. Analyse 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 symbolises superficial acts of charity. Additionally, the diamond earrings given by Rosemary to Miss Smith symbolise 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 sur
-000000-
Click Here for : AHSEC Class 12 Alternative English Complete Notes
Last Words
We hope you find these Important Question Answers, prepared by our team on AHSEC Class 12 Alternative English, ‘A Cup of Tea,’ helpful. We’ve included previous year questions with answers, along with additional ones for upcoming examinations. Our aim is to provide you with the best possible resources to help you score well. Still if you have any questions or suggestion feel free to comment below.
