Essay on Roman Fever - 623 Words

Roman Fever Roman Fever is an outstanding example of Edith Whartons theme to express the subtle nuances of formal upper class society that cause change underneath the pretense of stability. Wharton studied what actually made their common society tick, paying attention to unspoken signals, the histories of relationships, and seemingly coincidental parallels. All of these factors contribute to the strength and validity of the story of Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley. Roman Fever at first strikes the reader as the simple, rather dull story of two middle aged women sitting on a veranda. The inactiveness of the situation appears to be evident in Mrs. Slades comment, Well, I dont see why we shouldnt just stay here, reflecting†¦show more content†¦The reader might consider how it seems that the mothers and daughters were mismatched, a concept that is clever foreshadowing by the author, hinting at the scandal and instability lurking underneath the facade of morality and perfection worn by Slades and Ansleys upper class society. By noting the subtitles of human conditions under the stress of strict societal control, Edith Wharton created literature that is true to the society she portrayed. Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley probably would have liked to cause each other bodily harm, yet their society ruled that such behavior would not be tolerated. Therefore, they buried their feelings and expressed them only in subtle movements and off the cuff remarks, bits and pieces of communication that most people would overlook. However, Wharton realized that these fragments composed the only true communication and therefore composed the real story of Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley. Wharton takes the much-admired upper crust of society and exposes them, not in a hurtful world, but an objectively world. Wharton writes: Ive come to the conclusion that I dont in the least know what they are, said Mrs. Ansley. And perhaps we didnt know much more about each other.(780) This one passage serves as a direct commentary on both the bonds of friendship and family life. Whartons language is objective, straightforward. The character speaks these alarmingShow MoreRelatedIrony and Symbolism in Roman Fever Essay820 Words   |  4 Pages The short story, â€Å"Roman Fever† illustrates the shocking relationship between two women, Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. Slade, by a chance meeting in Rome. As the story opens the two women are sitting on the terrace of a Roman restaurant that has an astonishing view of the Colosseum and other Roman ruins. While the women sit in silence and enjoy the tranquil view from the terrace they notice their daughters down below running off to spend a romantic evening with two young men. This triggers Mrs. Slades memoriesRead More Change in Roman Fever by Edith Wharton Essay1956 Words   |  8 PagesChange in Roman Fever by Edith Wharton Chance (or coincidence) has an ambiguous role in the outcome of different situations; it can work in or against one’s favour. As in real life, chance in literature has considerable influence on the circumstances of the characters and where those circumstances lead. In two particular literary works, Roman Fever and A Small, Good Thing, chance happenings have grave results on the lives of the characters concerned. In Roman Fever, old friends meet byRead MoreThe Facade of Friendship in Edith Wharton’s Short Story, Roman Fever1595 Words   |  7 Pagesnew pair of shoes eventually turns into coveting her career or fiancà ©. Once the delicate balance between friendship and rivalry is disturbed, feelings of jealousy and hatred will emerge to destroy the relationship. Edith Wharton’s short story â€Å"Roman Fever† depicts the dynamic between two life-long friends as they reminisce about their youth. The events in the plot gradually undermine their close friendship, exposing their true feelings about each other and the hidden secrets of their past. ThroughRead MoreRoman Fever Analysis724 Words   |  3 Pages Roman Fever, by Edith Wharton, is an outstanding example of Whartons theme to express the subtle nuances of formal upper class society that cause change underneath the pretense of stability. Wharton studied what actually made their common society tick, paying attention to unspoken signals, the histories of relationships, and seemingly coincidental parallels. All of these factors contribute to the strength and validity of the story of Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley. Roman Fever at first strikes theRead MoreThe Irony Of Roman Fever1147 Words   |  5 PagesThe Irony of â€Å"Roman Fever† In the short story â€Å"Roman Fever† the author Edith Wharton used multiple different literary devices throughout the reading. Although the ones that were the most obvious to me were imagery, tone, and irony. Throughout the story she is constantly giving vivid details so her readers are able to visualize her story. She also writes so you understand how each character feels through what they say and how she depicts how they say it as well helps with this. The moral to the storyRead MoreCharacterization From Roman Fever Essay952 Words   |  4 PagesCharacterization from â€Å"Roman Fever† The wicked witch, the stepmother, the damsel in distress, the fair maiden, the prince. All these stock characters are well known. Flat and shallow, they are only either evil, repressive, distressed, fair, or kind. They are known because they are seen everywhere. But what do they teach or show about human nature. Do these â€Å"people† make provoke thought or do they fill a role for a plot? Emphasizing who they are, not what they do, â€Å"literary fiction writers areRead MoreInterpersonal Conflict In Roman Fever1297 Words   |  6 PagesRoman Fever portrays the story of two widow: Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley, about their delicate relationship and dark secrets buried in the past. Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley falls in love with the same person, which intrigues Mrs. Slade’s plan to falsify a letter to Mrs. Ansley. The secret around Roman Fever, the letter and Mr. Shade is eventually uncovered 25 years later when the two widow reunion in Rome again. This paper would analyze the internal tension in patriarchal society and discuss how itRead MoreThe Roman Fever By Allen Iverson1012 Words   |  5 PagesRoman Fever was a very interesting read. It was short but it was very easy to understand, and to follow. I believe the theme to this story is to be thankful for what you have, and stay humble. Some people take the things have for granted, and some people are not as humble as they should be. For example, there are many people who are upper class, and are not humble for what they have at all. Being wealthy is definitely something you can be proud about; however I believe there should be a point whereRead MoreThe Envious Role in â€Å"Roman Fever†1882 Words   |  8 PagesThe fine line between the fear of the unknown and what is known can sometimes become blurred. In the short story â€Å"Roman Fever†, Edith Wharton does just that by telling the story of two ladies who were ‘childhood friends’. Both are recently widowed, and encou nter each other in Rome by coincidence while traveling abroad with their daughters Jenny and Barbara. One of the ladies, Alida Slade, has long suspected that her intimate friend, Grace Ansley was involved with her fiancà © many years ago and hasRead MoreEdith Wharton s Roman Fever1251 Words   |  6 PagesThis philosophy is seen in Edith Wharton’s short story â€Å"Roman Fever† by her characters Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley as they argue about a letter and an affair in the duration of the story. Wharton’s main characters are on opposing sides of the philosophy of determinism, with Mrs. Slade representing determinism and Mrs. Ansley representing free will, respectively and each effectively showing Wharton’s disagreement to determinism. In â€Å" Roman Fever†, Mrs. Slade represented determinism in the duration of