Never Satisfied The main theme of "A Cup of Tea" by Katherine Mansfield is the selfishness often displayed by the wealthy and arrogant women of the British aristocracy . In turn-of-the-century England, rigid social classes separated the rich and the poor. As a member of the upper class, the story's protagonist, Rosemary Fell, lives a luxurious life. Her meeting with Miss Smith, a young beggar, illustrates the rich woman's need to be constantly satisfied. Rosemary's exclusive shopping habits, her romanticism of the poor, and her frivolous requests reveal her selfish personality. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Although the rich are considered to have everything, human nature rarely allows people to be completely satisfied. As a wealthy woman, Rosemary needs everything that belongs to her to be better than what is already considered exquisite. While most wealthy women shopped in uptown London, “if Rosemary wanted to go shopping, she would go to Paris” (1036). Wanting to imitate the characters from her Dostoyevsky novels, Rosemary takes Miss Smith home simply because she thinks "it would be exciting" (1037), and she will be the only one of her friends who can tell the story of the rescue of 'a poor woman. . Although Rosemary decides that 28 guineas is excessive for an ornamental box "even if one is rich" (1036), she later asks her husband for the money to buy the box and he calls her "little wasteful" (1036). 1041). ). Rosemary Fell's excessive desires never seem to come true and she continues to strive for an exquisite quality of life. As a selfish and spoiled member of the aristocracy, Rosemary does not value life outside of bodily pleasures. Her stores must exceed those of other wealthy women, her service to others is the result of an inner desire to be delighted, and she wishes to own things not because she needs them, but because she longs to materialistic superiority over others. These characteristics show the reader the superficiality of Rosemary and the rich as a whole. This self-centered lifestyle led by many of England's rich actually leaves them dissatisfied, ironically placing them on a spiritual level equal to or lower than that of the poor. Although many believe that money will solve their unhappiness, Rosemary Fell confirms the inaccuracy of this belief..