Roman Fever Roman Fever" is an outstanding example of Edith Wharton's 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 …
showed first 75 words of 764 total

showed last 75 words of 764 total
…with nothing else to console her. And of course, as the story progresses to its brilliant and inevitable conclusion, Wharton skillfully continues on her path of breaking down the romantic illusion of the upper class. Roman fever may be a metaphor for transgress sexuality, for sexual rivalry, or even for the hostility among women that the social pressures of courtship catalyzes. Wharton's fiction is famous for defying unitary interpretations, and this story is no exception.