The Teacup Club

"The Teacup Club" by Eliza Armstrong Bengough is a tale set in a time when society was changing, focusing on a group of young ladies who start a club to talk about important issues related to women and how they fit into a world that’s evolving. The main character, Dorothy, a girl with blue eyes, deals with her feelings about a boy named Jack while also trying to figure out what she wants in life, along with support from her good friend Emily. The girls find themselves in funny conversations and serious talks about what it means to be a woman and who they are, which uncovers larger ideas about gender roles, love, and the power of friendship. The story begins with the creation of this club, full of back-and-forth dialogue between Dorothy and Emily, as they’re both trying to find a space for women voices and for a place that focuses on their rights. Dorothy starts this club because of frustrations with the societal expectations, and because of her feelings for Jack. The story looks at challenges that women face through fun interactions that weigh lighthearted social lives against their ambitions for growth, paving the way for deeper questions about gender.