Wharton, like many artists, used writing as a cleansing tool, Subsequently; her personal life was reflected in her writing. “Roman Fever” is no exception. Edith Wharton’s “Roman Fever” introduces the reader to “two American ladies of ripe, but well-cared- for middle age (Wharton pars. 1),” Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. Slade. It quickly becomes apparent that these two subdued women are of high society. Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley are enjoying an afternoon in Rome. They make small talk and reminisce. Throughout the story the reader learns that both women are widows and childhood friends. The shocking conclusion reveals a hidden affair and an explanation for the constant tension. Wharton pulled from her own experiences to create these demure women as well as their less than acceptable actions.
Mrs. Ansley, Mrs. Slade, and Wharton were all “Museum specimens of old New York (Wharton Pars. 14).” In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s New York was a hot spot for high society. Wharton spent the majority of her early life in Manhattan (Smithsonian: Wharton’s World pars. 2).
This environment produced very emotionally repressed and superficially extravagant individuals. A perfect representation of these individuals is found in Edith Wharton’s “Age of Innocence.” Not unlike Mrs. Slade who would rather “live across from a speakeasy for a change (Wharton Pars. 14),” Wharton craved some change is society (Smithsonian: Wharton’s World pars. 6). Wharton did not want to live the dull life of a proper lady. Wharton was all too aware of the hypocrisy within this society and revealed these hypocrisies through her writing.
Mrs. Slade and Wharton both endured loveless marriages (Smithsonian: Wharton’s World pars. 7). These forced marriages and expectations of society lead to an affair for both women. Wharton experienced a passionate, but short, love affair with Morton Fullerton (Ehrlich 86). Mrs. Ansley’s short affair is revealed in the final line of “Roman Fever” when she states, “I Had Barbara.”
Europe acted as an escape for all of these women. Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. Slade remember their childhood moments spent in Rome (Wharton Pars. 26). Wharton used Europe as an annual “tonic for her depression (Smithsonian: Wharton’s World pars. 6).” These women were able to escape the politics and traditions of New York high society by escaping the people. Europe held no expectations for these women. Though they acted with civility, they felt they had more freedom in Europe.
Finally, all these women experienced loss of their husbands. While Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. Slade were widows (Wharton Pars. 15) Wharton herself experienced the loss of a marriage. Wharton divorced hr husband in 1913 (Smithsonian: Wharton’s World pars. 6). This behavior was extremely frowned upon in society and undoubtedly left Wharton with some ill feelings.
In conclusion, Wharton used Mrs. Slade as well as Mrs. Ansley to represent different aspects of herself; her youth and her mid life. While Mrs. Slade acted as a fine woman of the current society, Mrs. Ansley was more rebellious. Mrs. Slade valued her husband’s status in society (Wharton pars. 16). Mrs. Slade loved the excitement of society life such as the parties and the travel. Mrs. Ansley let her desires get the better of her . Wharton married Teddy Wharton when she was twenty-three. He was of similar social background and had good standing in society (Smithsonian: Wharton’s World pars. 6). Wharton’s early life resembles Mrs. Slade; longing for change and excitement. Wharton’s later life resembles Mrs. Ansley’s. Wharton eventually took action and ran with the emotions she felt.
Works Cited
Dwight, Eleanore. “Edith Wharton’s World: Portraits of People and Places”
Web. 24 September, 2009
<http://www.npg.si.edu/exh/wharton/whar3.htm>
Ehrlich, Gloria. “The Sexual Education of Edith Wharton”
Berkeley University of California Press, 1992. Print
Wharton, Edith. Collected Stories, 1911-1937. Library of America, 122.
New York: Library of America, 2001.
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