A Cup of Tea

In “A Cup of Tea,” Rosemary Fell has almost everything she has ever wanted: an adoring husband, intellect and charming wit, and immense wealth. Despite these blessings, Rosemary’s perceived lack of physical beauty by societal and patriarchal standards becomes her greatest source of insecurity. The narrative makes this dynamic quite clear from the story’s onset, noting that “you couldn’t have called her beautiful.” Because Rosemary’s wealth allows her to take material possessions for granted, her…

Throughout “A Cup of Tea,” the wealthy Rosemary Fell superficially attempts to establish a relationship with the poor Miss Smith to prove that “rich people had hearts, and that women were sisters,” though her efforts ultimately fail. Set in the early 20th century, when first-wave feminism was alive and well throughout the West, the story explores the intersectionality of class and gender, demonstrating how early feminist movements often failed to consider the diversity of female…