Roman Fever By Edith Wharton

As two companions have been together ever since they were young, one would expect the two to be rather affable and truthful with one another. However, this thought is not always the case as illustrated within “Roman Fever”, between Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. Slade. Edith Wharton uses symbols to hint to the reader of the ending of the story as well as the story’s theme of nostalgia.

The mentioning of the Colosseum serves to be the breaking point of Mrs. Ansley’s composure. “The Colosseum—?’ ‘Yes. It wasn’t easy to get in, after the gates were locked for the night…Lovers met there who couldn’t meet elsewhere. You knew that?’ ‘I-I daresay. I don’t remember.’” (pp.10-11). After introducing the Colosseum, Mrs. Slade is able to gradually make

Mrs. Ansley disclose the truth of the secret one time meeting Mrs. Ansley had with Mr. Delphine. This discussion hints to the reader of the significance of the Colosseum in that fights were involved in the Colosseum in the past and that reflects the essential struggle between Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. Slade. Moreover, because the Colosseum used to be a center for melee, re-introducing a non-physical, but verbal “melee” between Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. Slade connects to the story’s theme of nostalgia. As a whole, the Colosseum reflects the center of nostalgic activity between Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley.
In addition, the contrast in the scenery throughout the story carries the intensity in their discussion of the past.

In the beginning, the scenery is described as “[a] spring effulgence of the Roman skies.” (p.1), and eventually the scenery darkens: “The clear heaven overhead was emptied of all its gold. Dusk spread over it, abruptly darkening the Seven Hills. Here and there the lights began to twinkle…a feeble string of electric lights flickered out.” (p.14). As observed, the beginning of the story along with its beautiful scene reflects Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. Slade’s start of the future sticky argument, as they are calm and barely converse with one another, admiring the scene before them. However, as the scene changes, this contrasting setting highlights the disclosures that result from their discussion. Mrs. Ansley begins to falter in her speech and Mrs. Slade continues to enable her to reveal the past. This contrast in scene as described: “Dusk spread over it…Here and there the lights began to twinkle…” (p.14), further signifies the on and off relationship between Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. Slade; the light flickering on and off symbolizes the level of activity between the two and the dusk symbolizes the disparity between them. As a result, this contrast setting ties to the theme of nostalgia as the two women are reflecting of the past and Mrs. Slade attempts to clear the “dusk” that lingered with her throughout these years with her relationship with Mrs.

Ansley.
Throughout the story, the symbols illustrate the theme of nostalgia between Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley. Although the reader eventually knows their daughters are sisters, it is ironic to initially see an unusual pair of friends, who have been together for awhile, yet they begin barely socializing with one another and admiring the scene. The symbols carve the potential aid and recovery for Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. Slade’s relationship.