Exploring the Text

1. How does the setting of “Roman Fever” provide both a literal and a figurative backdrop for the story’s conflicts?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Exploring the Text: - How does the setting of “Roman Fever” provide both a literal and a figurative backdrop for the story’s conflicts?
2. How does Edith Wharton develop the characters of Alida Slade and Grace Ansley? Are there hints at the beginning of the story about how things will turn out? Were you surprised by the ending? Explain your answer.

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Exploring the Text: - How does Edith Wharton develop the characters of Alida Slade and Grace Ansley? Are there hints at the beginning of the story about how things will turn out? Were you surprised by the ending? Explain your answer.
3. In what ways do each of the women visualize the other “through the wrong end of her little telescope” (par. 24)? Is either Alida or Grace correct in her view?

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   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Exploring the Text: - In what ways do each of the women visualize the other “through the wrong end of her little telescope” (par. 24)? Is either Alida or Grace correct in her view?
4. What are the differences between Alida’s and Grace’s daughters, Jenny and Barbara? How do we learn of their differences? Is there evidence in the story to support those observations?

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   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Exploring the Text: - What are the differences between Alida’s and Grace’s daughters, Jenny and Barbara? How do we learn of their differences? Is there evidence in the story to support those observations?
5. Alida Slade remarks on the “different things Rome stands for to each generation of travelers. To our grandmothers, Roman fever; to our mothers, sentimental danger—how we used to be guarded!—to our daughters, no more dangers than the middle of Main Street. They don’t know it—but how much they’re missing!” (par. 29). What does she think the daughters are missing? What else might the dangers of Rome mean to women who travel there? What comment might Wharton be making about the limitations women faced in her world?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Exploring the Text: - Alida Slade remarks on the “different things Rome stands for to each generation of travelers. To our grandmothers, Roman fever; to our mothers, sentimental danger—how we used to be guarded!—to our daughters, no more dangers than the middle of Main Street. They don’t know it—but how much they’re missing!” (par. 29). What does she think the daughters are missing? What else might the dangers of Rome mean to women who travel there? What comment might Wharton be making about the limitations women faced in her world?
6. How can “Roman Fever” be considered social commentary? How might it move beyond social commentary into the realm of morality?

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   Exploring the Text: - How can “Roman Fever” be considered social commentary? How might it move beyond social commentary into the realm of morality?
7. What do you think is the greatest irony in this story fraught with irony?

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   Exploring the Text: - What do you think is the greatest irony in this story fraught with irony?
8. To your mind, which woman has the upper hand? Explain your answer.

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   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Exploring the Text: - To your mind, which woman has the upper hand? Explain your answer.