Analysis of Text № 9

The text “A Cup of Tea” is written by Katherine Mansfield, an outstanding short-story writer of the 20^th century. She was born in New zealand and was the author of a number of excellent short-stories which dealt with human nature and psychology.

At the age of eighteen she decided to become a professional writer. Her first stories appeared in Melburne in і907, but literary fame came to her in London after the publication of a collection of short-stories called “In a German Pension”. Katherine Mansfield took a great interest in Russian literarure, particularly in the works of Chekhov. In fact, she considered herself to be a pupil of the great Russian writer.

The title of the story is not difficult for understanding but on the other hand it can b a symbol, a reason or an occasion of some events which are depicted in the text. The text belongs tio a belles-lettres style and to a social and psychological genre. It describes events which happened at a given time and place and speaks about the main characters’ way of living. On the other hand it reveals people’s inner world, nature and psychology. The text is a narration with some pieces of dialogues. It also contains some elements of description ( the characters’appearance and their way of living). E.g. Rosemary Fell was young, rich, brilliant, extremely modern, well-dressed, well-read in the newest of the new books; a young girl, thin, dark, a light creature with dark lips and deep eyes. The author represents the events from the point of view of the main characters. The story is told in the third person. It is emotional and all actions are not very slow. They are rather fast. The text ends on lyrical note. It is left for further suggestions and it is possible to reflect on Rosemary’s mood, feelings and the reasons of her behaviour in the concrete situation. The main theme of the story is human nature, inner world and psychology. The idea of it is a great wish to have an adventure. There is a conflict with oneself in the text. The author doesn’t sympathize the main character. She remains aloof to her.

The text under analysis consists of several parts. The first part is an exposition where the main character Rosemary Fell is represented. Her way of living is also described here. In complication Rosemary met a young hungry girl in the street and decided to take her home and to treat her to tea because she wanted to have an adventure. In climax Rosemary’s husband appeared and invited her into the library for a conversation. After that conversation Rosemary made up her mind to change her plans ans intentions towards Miss Smith. In denouenment Rosemary had one more talk with her husband Philip about Miss Smith’s coming out. She wanted her husband to be jealous of her and began asking him about his feelings to her. At last she showed her wasteful nature when reminded of a wonderful little box which cost twenty-eight guineas.

Depending upon the manner in which the text is represented we can speak about the language of the story. On one hand it is informal and on the other hand it is vivid ,emotional and has descriptive character. It describes the main characters’ appearance, way of living, feelings, emotions and behaviour in different situations. The text abounds in simple neutral words and set phrases. E.g. I simply took her home with me. Good heavens, how thoughtless I am! She’s extremely pretty. Rosemary’s heart beat like a heavy bell. From grammar point of view the language is not too complicated. The predominant tense is Past Simple one.Some sentences are written in Past Continuous and Future Indefinite Tense. E.g. My dear, I think you’re making a mistake. Miss Smith won’t dine with us tonight. But the text abounds in simle modal and passive and gerund constructions. E.g. Rosemary, can I come in? She can’t be more then twenty. It simply can’t be done. I couldn’t keep her against her will. Rosemary was extremely modern, well-read in the newest of the new books. Rosemary was so surprised that she blushed. Rosemary went back to her bedroom, holding three pound notes in her hand. Miss Smith insisted on going. In general the sentences are not too comlex and the text is not difficult for comprehension.