Roman Fever is a short story written by Edith Wharton in 1934. The story is set in Rome, Italy and follows the lives of two wealthy American women, Mrs. Alida Slade and Mrs. Grace Ansley, who have been friends for many years. The two women are accompanied by their daughters, Barbara and Jenny, who are around the same age.
The story begins with Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley sitting on a terrace overlooking the city of Rome. They are reminiscing about their youth and the time they spent in Rome as young women. Mrs. Slade tells Mrs. Ansley about a letter that she received from a man named Delphin Slade, who is her daughter Barbara's father. Delphin was Mrs. Slade's former lover and the father of her daughter, but she never told Barbara about him.
As the conversation between the two women continues, it is revealed that Mrs. Ansley also had a secret past in Rome. She had a brief affair with Delphin while he was still in a relationship with Mrs. Slade. Mrs. Ansley became pregnant with Delphin's child and gave birth to a daughter, Jenny. However, Mrs. Ansley decided to raise Jenny as her own and never told her the truth about her parentage.
As the women continue to talk, they begin to realize that their daughters, Barbara and Jenny, have developed feelings for each other. Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley are concerned about this development because of their own complicated history with Delphin and their desire to protect their daughters from the same mistakes they made.
The story ends with Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley resolving to tell their daughters the truth about their past and their connection to Delphin. They hope that by being honest with their daughters, they can help them avoid the mistakes and heartache that they experienced in their youth.
Roman Fever is a powerful story that explores themes of love, betrayal, and the consequences of secrets. It is a poignant tale that highlights the importance of honesty and the enduring nature of friendship.
Alida Slade Character Analysis in Roman Fever
There is no evidence that Mrs. Double Meaning The title itself hints at the irony of the story. Roman Fever Summary "Roman Fever" is a short story by Edith Warton in which Grace and Alida ruminate on their shared history and a secret is revealed: Grace's daughter, Barbara, was fathered by Alida's husband Delphin. While their return to Rome has given no one an ailment because of the cool evening air, there has certainly been a fever of emotional honesty. Wharton demonstrates the lack of self examination at the heart of all social relations -- between the anti-Semites and the Jews, and between these two little women here -- Mrs. Some of the most prominent examples of literary elements are irony, symbolism, and foreshadowing.
Roman Fever: Summary & Themes
Perty also notes that as Grace gains more confidence through the progression of the story, she relies less and less on her knitting. None came, and at length she broke out: "I horrify you. Dusk spread over it, abruptly darkening the Seven Hills. Slade is the more outwardly dominant member of the duo and also the most conflicted. The one that sets the story off is the knitting, which at first seems like a minor element. There's no knowing, I suppose, when the girls will be back.
The Use of Irony in 'Roman Fever'
New York: Facts on File, 2000. . Ansley was taught to be demure, never voicing her own desires except in a single letter to Delphin years ago. Slade's words, such as when she drops her knitting. Since that letter is a significant plot point, and the reason Grace and Delphin get together, the theme of jealousy is vital to the story. She had always regarded herself with a certain conjugal pride as his equal in social gifts, as contributing her full share to the making of the exceptional couple they were: but the difference after his death was irremediable.
Analysis of Plot in Roman Fever Essay Example
She poked with her stick under the table at which she had lunched, the waiters assisting. Ansley ceased to fidget with her bag, and she too sank into meditation. Symbolism gives the story deeper meaning in small actions, for instance knitting, and setting details. After staying out late one night Mrs. . By that time, they were still young. New York: Cambridge UP, 1992.
