A Cup of Tea

Question

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 Rosemary challenge a cultural norm of Victorian England?

(1 point)
Responses

She dresses in a manner that is more artistic in nature.
She dresses in a manner that is more artistic in nature.

She invites people to parties who shock her other guests.
She invites people to parties who shock her other guests.

She reads surprising books that go against the cultural norms.
She reads surprising books that go against the cultural norms.

She desires to be viewed as beautiful because of her wealth.
She desires to be viewed as beautiful because of her wealth.

Answer 1

Rosemary challenges a cultural norm of Victorian England primarily through her social interactions and the people she invites to her parties. Therefore, the most fitting response is:

She invites people to parties who shock her other guests.

This indicates her willingness to break away from traditional societal expectations by mixing with a diverse group that includes artists and people who may be seen as unconventional or provocative.