What is the climax of Edith Wharton's short story 'Roman Fever'?
Understanding the Climax of 'Roman Fever'
In Edith Wharton’s masterful short story 'Roman Fever', the climax occurs during the final moments of the conversation between two middle-aged American women, Grace Ansley and Alida Slade, as they sit overlooking the Roman Forum. While the story is built on a foundation of simmering tension, the true turning point—the moment of maximum emotional intensity—is the revelation regarding the paternity of Grace’s daughter, Barbara.
The Moment of Revelation
Throughout the story, Alida Slade believes she has successfully 'won' the long-standing rivalry between them by tricking Grace into a dangerous nighttime rendezvous at the Colosseum years prior, hoping Grace would catch the titular 'Roman fever' and die. Alida reveals this scheme to Grace, expecting to see her rival crushed. However, the climax arrives when Grace calmly responds that she did not catch the fever because she was not alone that night. She reveals that she had written to Delphin Slade (Alida’s then-fiancé) to meet her, and he had indeed come.
Why This is the Climax
This revelation serves as the climax because it completely inverts the power dynamic of the story. Alida’s attempt to humiliate Grace backfires, revealing that Grace had a secret, passionate life that Alida never suspected. The final, devastating blow comes when Grace delivers the ultimate 'checkmate': she reveals that her daughter, Barbara, is actually the child of Delphin Slade.
Comparison: Alida's Perception vs. Reality
| Feature | Alida's Perception | The Reality (Climax) |
|---|---|---|
| The Letter | A trap to kill Grace | A successful romantic tryst |
| The Rivalry | Alida was the 'winner' | Grace held the ultimate secret |
| The Daughter | A product of Grace's marriage | A product of Delphin Slade |
Common Pitfalls in Analysis
Many readers mistake the rising action—the long, polite, yet biting conversation about their daughters—for the climax. It is important to distinguish between the tension of the dialogue and the structural climax. The climax is not the argument itself, but the specific moment where the hidden truth is unveiled, permanently altering the reader's understanding of the characters' pasts.
Real-World Significance
This story is a classic study in dramatic irony. The climax works so effectively because the reader, like Alida, is kept in the dark until the very last sentence. It serves as a reminder that in literature, the most powerful moments often occur not through grand action, but through the quiet, devastating power of a single, well-placed truth.