Character of Miss Smith - A Cup of Tea - Katherine Mansfield

Character of Miss Smith:

         Miss Smith is a poor girl. Rosemary met her outside of the antique shop. Miss Smith asked Rosemary for ‘a cup of tea’ due to winter season and cold. Rosemary was a rich lady and interested in charity. She thought that Miss Smith is poor and as a rich and responsible lady of the society she should help Miss Smith. She took Miss Smith at her home.

     

           Miss Smith was a poor girl and when Rosemary ensured her that she will take care of her like her sister, she was very happy. She thought she has found a caring and loving lady who will provide her good life. As soon as Rosemary reached the house with Miss Smith, She put Miss Smith’s hat and coat on the floor. By looking that the poor girl thought, it could be a tradition in Rosemary’s house to put the things on the floor.

          Rosemary provided tea and snacks to Miss Smith. The poor girl was feeling delighted. When Philip has come to home, he was shocked. He was not ready to keep this girl at his home. He has tried to convince Rosemary about her foolish act, but she was not ready to understand what Philip was telling.

         Philip was aware with his wife’s nature and he called Miss Smith ‘a pretty girl’. That idea worked and Rosemary has told Miss Smith to leave the house. She also informed Philip that,

"Miss Smith won't dine with us tonight."

         In this story we can consider the character of Miss Smith as the victim of the charity system of rich society. First, Rosemary has shown ideal dreams to Miss Smith for her own sake and then because of her inconvenience, she told Miss Smith to leave the house. Poor people are always the playing tool/toy for the rich.

Background of the story : Click here

Character of Rosemary   : Click here 

Character of Philip          : Click here