Wharton's Roman Fever

I enjoy looking at a story not only for what is written, but for the stir it may have caused at the time of its publication. In the 1930s, the United States was dealing with the aftermath of the Depression and looking toward Europe with somewhat distrustful glances. Americans were still clinging to their Victorian roots and trying to remain wholesome and pure, or at least pretending to be. Reading literature from the early 20th century is like watching a child attempting to pull away from his overbearing, overprotective parents. Roman Fever is, among other things, one of those sorts of pieces.

In the story, we see two "ripe but well-cared-for middle age" women, vacationing in Rome. We learn that they have known one another since childhood and that there have been feelings of envy, jealousy, and even a bit of animosity between the two of them most, if not all, of that time. There is reason for the animosity: the women are in love with the same man.

Alida Slade is jealous of her friend, Grace Ansley. The women live in similar homes on the same street and Alida keeps constant vigil on the comings and goings of her neighbor. "When the drawing-room curtains in No.20 East Seventy-third Street were renewed, No. 23, across the way, was always aware of it. And of all the movings, buyings, travels, anniversaries, illnesses- the tame chronicle of an estimable pair. Little of it escaped Mrs. Slade." Alida even seems to compare their daughters and finds her own, while angelic in many ways, somehow lacking when held in comparison to Grace's daughter Barbara. Alida seems to be a sad woman, made bitter from years of knowing there was a relationship of sorts between her own husband and Grace Ansley.

I felt the story read like a game of cat and mouse, with Alida trying to coax her friend Grace into the open concerning a vicious prank Alida had played when the girls were in Rome many years earlier, when both were vivacious, single, young women. Alida was aware that at one time, Grace had feelings for Delphin Slade, Alida’s fiancé. Now that both women are grown and widowed, Alida seems to need to confess her prank. I don't think she wants to soothe her conscious though- I think she wants to hurt Grace while reminding her that it was she, Alida, whom Delphin chose to marry.

"I don't know why I'm telling you now" (says Alida).

"I suppose, " Said Mrs. Ansley slowly, "it's because you've always gone on hating me."

Here, Grace does not dispute that fact, but says, "Perhaps. Or because I wanted to get the whole thing off my mind."

The reader learns that all those years ago, Alida wrote a note to Grace asking her to come to the Colosseum in the evening. She signed it with the initials of her fiancé, Delphin Slade- D.S. This was scandalous behavior for women at the turn of the century, the time frame in which this part of the story is set. It is here that Wharton seems to rebel against the strict Victorian attitudes of many Americans. We learn that Grace answered the note and that Delphin, having received that note, went on to meet her at the Colosseum that night. We learn too, that the meeting was not at all innocent.

I loved the last few lines of the story as Alida is put quietly in her place and Grace is allowed her own revenge. Alida seems self satisfied when she tells Grace that she had had Delphin as a husband for twenty five years while all Grace had had was "that one letter that he didn't write."

And here is my favorite bit. My mind’s eye could see the smug look on Grace's face as she makes the one final comment that puts Alida in her place while assaulting the backward attitudes of the day.

"I had Barbara," she said.

That one line confirms something that Victorian America did not want to admit. People were having sex in public places, outside of marriage, and with partners they had no intention of marrying even then, thus proving that the idea of Free Love was not an invention of the Flower Children of the 1960s. It’s been around for a very long time and it’s hidden in plain view, just beneath the surface.