Historical context Quick Check

Question

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Feature

A Cup of Tea
by Katherine Mansfield

Rosemary Fell was not exactly beautiful. No, you couldn’t have called her beautiful. Pretty? Well, if you took her to pieces.... But why be so cruel as to take anyone to pieces? She was young, brilliant, extremely modern, exquisitely well dressed, amazingly well read in the newest of the new books, and her parties were the most delicious mixture of the really important people and ... artists—quaint creatures, discoveries of hers, some of them too terrifying for words, but others quite presentable and amusing.

"A Cup of Tea" by Katherine Mansfield

Question
Use the passage to answer the question.

How does this paragraph characterize Rosemary through its historical setting?

(1 point)
Responses

She is unusual for a woman because she does not try to be beautiful.
She is unusual for a woman because she does not try to be beautiful.

She is unusual in the upper class of society because she invites artists to her parties.
She is unusual in the upper class of society because she invites artists to her parties.

She is a leader in her community thanks to a good education.
She is a leader in her community thanks to a good education.

She has improved her situation throughout her life through hosting parties.
She has improved her situation throughout her life through hosting parties.
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Answer 1

The passage characterizes Rosemary as an individual who stands out within her historical context, particularly for her choices that reflect the changing roles of women in the early 20th century. The most fitting response based on the text is:

She is unusual in the upper class of society because she invites artists to her parties.

This choice highlights her preference for mingling with artists and "quaint creatures," which contrasts with traditional upper-class social circles focused on wealth and status. It indicates her embracing of modern ideas and forms of expression, aligning with the period in which Mansfield was writing.