Edith Wharton

The monuments mentioned in the story “Roman Fever” can be interpreted to symbolize many elements in the story. In the opening of the story, we see the women overlooking the Forum and Palatine Hill. These are ruins now, and also in the time the story is set, this sight could symbolize the fall that is about to happen in Mrs. Slate and Mrs. Ansley’s friendship. Also, the Forum is where the Roman government held meetings; in the story can also be interpreted as a “meeting place”, in which Mrs. Slade confronts Mrs. Ansley. This was also a center of commerce at its peak time, where these two women would have gone to since they were affluent. The Palatine held the homes where many emperors lived and died, just like Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley’s pride. They had seen this place many times before, but this time it was different- this was their meeting, it was their time to overlook everything around them. The ruins could also signify the ruined friendship between the two women at the end of the story. Wharton also mentions the quote “Memento Mori”, at that moment they realize that they are mortal and that everything must come to an end (just like the great sight that lay beneath them), I believe that this is when Mrs. Slade decides to confront Mrs. Ansley. At the moment when they are both silent, uncomfortable, and realize that there is no true friendship between them, even after all these years. It is when Mrs. Slade decides to “hurt” Mrs. Ansley and gets more than she bargained for. The Colosseum is another monument that is mentioned in the story, this was where gladiators fought and spectacular events ensued, it is also significant because it is where lovers met- a forbidden place, symbolizing the forbidden passion Mrs. Ansley felt for Delphin, Mrs. Slate’s love. I also believe these places hold secrets that we do not know about, secrets like the one Mrs. Ansley kept in for so long until the end of the story. She had to conform to the rules and marry the man she was arranged to marry; she was pregnant out of wedlock. The Colosseum is shocking, grand sight that takes you by surprise when you see it- many people do not expect the “stadium” to be as enormous as it is, just like Mrs. Slate did not expect it to hold such an enormous secret.