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Roman Fever- Deceit Throughout the Ages |
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written
by nmdaybaz / 10.24.2005 |
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Assignment |
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The Forum was the center of Roman politics. Politics in ancient Rome held many of the same qualities that we associate with politics today, perhaps with more outright brutality. Men killed their brothers in order to be the sole recipient of inherited power; senators tricked their fellow members in order to benefit themselves; emperors sacrificed innocent people to divert blame and leaders were deified when convienient to satisfy the public. Essentially the Romans manipulated situations for their own benefit, lacking in conscience, while attempting to maintain face on the outside so that to others they would not appear to be the apathetic, brutal people of their actions. The majority of their decisions in these situations were driven by an egotistical drive to make things the way they wanted- what was best for them, no matter if it was at the expense at others.
Edith Wharton’s story, “Roman Fever,” describes the relationship between two women who maintain a friendship over many years, which is revealed at the conclusion to be a façade. Beneath the pleasant conversations and amiable get-togethers, these two women share a dark past. Neither of the women seem to share any deep affection for the other, as demonstrated by the thoughts of each. One finds the other to be a “nullity,” while that woman finds her friend to be “not as brilliant as she thinks.” They seem to be friends of circumstance and habit, rather than choice. Despite this, however, they still do share a friendship. Yet, regardless of this friendship, each betrays the trust of the other, putting their feelings first at the expense of those of their friend. The first act of deceit and manipulation was executed by Alida Slade, who wrote her friend a false letter with the intentions of hurting her friend enough that she would leave her fiancé alone. These intentions were fully “beaten” as Grace Ansley foiled Slade and secretly had a child by Slade’s fiancé. This act was ironically through a situation that never would have happened had Slade not interfered initially.
These blatant manipulations of relationships for the benefit of one’s self are not unlike those of ancient Roman politics. I think this is why Warton chooses the Forum as a setting for her story. Just as the Roman populus observed the politics of their government, the reader is an observer for the relationship between the two women. On the outside Slade and Ansley appear to be old childhood friends who have maintained their friendship throughout the years, perhaps as if how Caesar may have appeared to be merely a politician earning his way to the top. As the story progresses, more and more details are revealed about the relationship until the ultimate betrayal is uncovered at the end. The Forum serves as a foil for the women’s relationship. It contrasts the manipulation and deceitful betrayal with the same qualities found in the ancient politicians that once lived in Rome. It shows that these traits are not isolated in Slade and Ansley, or their generation, but they were present thousands of years ago and still continue into the present. As the reader may feel discontent with the actions of the women, they are faced with the irony that though unpleasant, these qualities are an elemental part of human nature.
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