A Cup of Tea: ASSEB (AHSEC) Class 12 Alternative English Notes
State whether these sentences are True or False :
1. Miss Smith was a very rich girl.
False
2. Rosemary was a very compassionate woman.
True
3. Philip did not want Miss Smith to dine with them.
True
4. Rosemary had been married for a couple of years.
False
Answer the questions :
Q. Which Russian author influenced Katherine Mansfield?
Katherine Mansfield was influenced by Dostoevsky.
Q. In which street was Rosemary shopping when she met Miss Smith?
Rosemary was shopping in Curzon street when she met Miss Smith.
Q. What is the cost of the enamel box that Rosemary wanted to buy?
Twenty eight guineas.
Q. What is the name of the main character of ‘A Cup of Tea’ ?
The name of the main character of ‘A Cup of Tea’ is Rosemary, a snobbish upper class
woman.
Q. What are the names of two women characters in the story “A Cup of Tea’?
The names of two women characters in the story “A Cup of Tea” are Rosemary and Miss
Smith.
Q. What kind of relationship do Rosemary and Philip share in ‘A Cup of Tea’ ?
Rosemary and Philip are husband and wife in the story ‘A Cup of Tea’, where Philip as a
husband absolutely adores his wife Rosemary.
Q. How does Philip react towards Miss Smith ?
When Philip enters the house, he stares strangely at Miss Smith. He asks for an
explanation from his wife as who is the stranger at their house. He later disapproves
Rosemary’s decision to keep the girl with them.
Q. Who was Miss Smith? Why did Rosemary send her back ?
Miss Smith was a young little girl who was begging for a cup of tea in Curzon Street.
Rosemary send her back because she was jealous of Miss Smith as her husband,
Philip said that Miss Smith was very pretty.
Q. Why did Philip disapprove of Rosemary’s decision to keep Miss Smith with them?
Philip disapproved Rosemary’s decision to keep Miss Smith with them because of class
difference. As Rosemary was an extremely beautiful upper class woman and Miss Smith
was a beggar who was begging in the Curzon Street.
Q. Write a brief character sketch of Rosemary fell.
Rosemary fell is the main character in the short story ‘A Cup of Tea’. She is a snobbish
upper class woman. Rosemary Fell lives a comfortable life and she is a wealthy and
privilege woman. She is portrayed as appealing and elegant, with a taste for luxury. Fell
is additionally depicted as impulsive and easily influenced by her emotions.
Q. Describe Rosemary's encounter with Miss Smith
Rosemary's encounter with Miss Smith happens when she sees the little girl begging in
the city. Overwhelmed by an unexpected motivation of empathy, Rosemary welcomes
Miss Smith to join her for tea. This sudden action makes Rosemary's life difficult.
How does Katherine Mansfiled explore the theme of 'class difference' in 'A Cup of
Tea'.
Katherine Mansfield highlights the stark contrast between Rosemary's affluent lifestyle
and Miss Smith's poverty to explore the theme of class difference. The encounter between
the two ladies uncovered the huge split between their lifestyle. It also shows how the high
class people ignore the lower class and their daily struggles in life.
Q. Why did Rosemary take Miss Smith home?
At first instance, Rosemary took Miss Smith home out of an unconstrained craving to help
somebody and with the intention of offering Miss Smith a better life. But, as the story
progressed, it became clear that Rosemary's actions are driven more by a desire to
demonstrate her generosity and receive praise from her upper-class friends, Instead of
genuine kindness.
Q. Examine in detail the various themes explored by Katherine Mansfield in her story
'A Cup of Tea'.
In 'A Cup of Tea,' Katherine Mansfield explores various themes that shed light on the
intricacies of human beings and societal elements.
The theme of identity and self-discernment is predominant in the story. Rosemary
is portrayed by Mansfield as a character whose social status and material possessions
define her. However, when she meets Miss Smith, her carefully constructed identity is
thrown off and she is forced to revaluate her own values and priorities. Mansfield delves
into Rosemary's internal struggle with her own sense of self-worth and the desire to be
portrayed as a kind and compassionate person.
The difference between social classes is one of the main themes of the short story
‘A Cup of Tea’. Mansfield shows a difference between the upper class and lower class,
depicted by Rosemary Fell and Miss Smith respectively. Through this Mansfield features
the detachment and absence of understanding that frequently exist between individuals
of various social classes. The story demonstrates the upper class's superficiality and
ignorance of the lower class and the day to day challenges faced by them.
Another theme of the story is the idea of empathy and its constraints. Mansfield
looks at the complicated reasons why people do good deeds. It is revealed later that
Rosemary's actions are also influenced by a need for excitement and self-gratification.
Rosemary's initial impulse to assist Miss Smith is driven by a genuine desire to alleviate
suffering. Mansfield brings up issues about the legitimacy and limits of sympathy,
investigating whether it can really overcome any barrier between various social classes.
Q. Comment of the significance of the title of the story 'A Cup of Tea'.
Throughout the story, the title "A Cup of Tea" has symbolic significance. The story
addresses the underlying thoughtful gesture when Rosemary welcomes Miss Smith to
join her for tea. The cup of tea turns into an impetus for their experience and gets the
occasions of the story under way. The title can be seen as a metaphor for the desire for
warmth and empathy as well as human connection. It suggests that people from different
backgrounds can come together through acts of kindness like sharing a cup of tea.
Likewise, the title also implies the possibility of a brief snapshot of solace and
extravagance. Tea is frequently associated with a small indulgence, a brief escape from
life's realities. In the story, Mansfield utilizes this imagery to feature the difference
between the favored universe of Rosemary, where a cup of tea is a typical extravagance,
and the unforgiving reality looked by Miss Smith, where even the least difficult joys are
scant.
Thus, the title "A Cup of Tea" encapsulates the central themes of compassion, class
distinction, and the fleeting nature of comfort, prompting us as a reader, to consider the
more profound repercussions of an act that may seem unassuming. Therefore it can be
said that the title 'A Cup of Tea' is truly a significant one.
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