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Roman Fever |
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written
by liu9700 / 10.24.2005 |
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Assignment |
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In its time the Forum stood as a symbol of the power and accomplishments of an empire. To Roman citizens it was the hub of culture, religion, government and business. In its imposing architecture it embodied Roman values, including many personal and public virtues. However, beneath this grandeur the Forum was also the site of scandal and political intrigue. In “Roman Fever” Edith Wharton describes the place as a “vast Memento Mori”, a reminder of human errors. Today it stands as a relic of the past, outdated and broken.
Although they appear to be prototypical figures of high society, Alida Slade and Grace Ansley share the Forum’s history of façade and deceit. Like the Forum these women are antiquated and have no functioning purpose in current society. The story opens with their two daughters departing for an un-chaperoned outing, mocking their old mothers for being out of touch with the day. The women are tucked away and left instead to dwell on the past.
Slade and Ansley have spent their lives fostering a relationship based on pretenses. These are women who grew up learning they must fulfill specific societal roles and value themselves with respects to their social triumphs. Success in the game, whether ancient politics or 5th avenue luncheons, is worth any cost. By sending the note to Ansley, Slade sought to secure her future place as the wife of a successful and attractive man. She had no qualms about playing with her friend’s emotions. Ansley, on the other hand, held back the revelation of her betrayal until a moment when she wished to shift the power dynamics in their relationship.
Alida Slade and Grace Ansley are introduced to us as characters whose pasts are as complex and grand as the Forum itself; whose intricate history of deceit causes them to lose themselves in their own schemes.
The location would have to be a rooftop restaurant or cafe where both the Colosseum and the Forum are visible. From the view atop the Palatine the most logical location seems to be to the left of the Via Dei Fori Imperiali as you are facing the Colosseum. Here I see many rooftops decorated with umbrellas and foliage. It is most likely the location suggested on page 69 of The Smiles of Rome, which suggests the restaurant of Hotel Forum, on Via Tor de’ Conti 25-30.
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