Roman Fever is a complex story that leaves readers with an abundance of questions about both societal and individual morals. The story takes place in one room during an interaction between two old companions. Mrs. Slade is described as dark, vocal and very sure of herself, while Mrs. Ansley is much more quiet and reserved. Mrs. Slade has a dynamic view of Mrs. Ansley. Throughout the story, she is continuously talking down to her and speaking of her like she is of little intelligence. However, there is this deep rooted jealousy that takes over Mrs. Slade on occasion, “Would she never cure herself of envying her? Perhaps she had begun to long ago”(1522). Mrs. Slade is constantly complaining about her lot in life because her daughter turned out to be “too perfect”. Mrs. Slade is constantly speaking with envy about Babs Ansley and wondering how two boring people made such an amazing daughter. Mrs. Slade even goes as far as to comment on this perplexion to Mrs. Ansley.

Roman Fever is a complex story that leaves readers with an abundance of questions about both societal and individual morals. The story takes place in one room during an interaction between two old companions. Mrs. Slade is described as dark, vocal and very sure of herself, while Mrs. Ansley is much more quiet and reserved. Mrs. Slade has a dynamic view of Mrs. Ansley. Throughout the story, she is continuously talking down to her and speaking of her like she is of little intelligence. However, there is this deep rooted jealousy that takes over Mrs. Slade on occasion, “Would she never cure herself of envying her? Perhaps she had begun to long ago”(1522). Mrs. Slade is constantly complaining about her lot in life because her daughter turned out to be “too perfect”. Mrs. Slade is constantly speaking with envy about Babs Ansley and wondering how two boring people made such an amazing daughter. Mrs. Slade even goes as far as to comment on this perplexion to Mrs. Ansley.

Throughout the story, Mrs. Ansley is very quiet and is described in a way that makes her appear empty of thought. Once we reach the end of the story, Mrs. Ansley seems to come alive as a character. We only begin to glimpse just how dynamic a character she is with her last words, “I had Barbara.”(1527) With this statement, Mrs. Ansley’s character reveals that her daughter, Barbara, belongs to Mrs. Slade’s deceased husband and the character of Mrs. Ansley changes completely. We begin to see that perhaps she was clever and dynamic the whole time, she simply chose to stay quiet and let Mrs. Slade spout off her opinions. Mrs. Ansley is much stronger character than her companion by the end of the story. We begin by seeing Mrs. Slade as this dark and powerful woman, however by the end she is miserable and weak. Mrs. Slade attempts to comfort herself by claiming that she lead a better life and ultimately got the man that they both loved, however she spent her life complaining and full of envy for the people around her. Mrs. Ansley, in contradiction, never had to prove herself to anyone. Mrs. Ansley enjoyed a quiet satisfied life and never had to flaunt it or envy anyone in order to be happy. Mrs. Slade appears to be ignorant to the power of Mrs. Ansley’s private happiness, “I was too happy. I wonder if you know what that means?” (1523) Mrs. Ansley knows all too well what it is to be happy, and although it is Mrs. Slade asking the question she ironically seems devoid of true happiness.

This story begs the question, who is in the right? If anyone? Why is the protagonist? The antagonist? From different perspectives there will be different answers, of course. It is hard to like Mrs. Slade as a character. Her characteristics are obnoxious and judgemental. However, although Mrs. Ansley is more quiet and composed, does that really make her the “hero”? Mrs. Ansley had an affair with her best friends husband and lied to her about it until old age and even had a child with Mr. Slade which she held onto as a priceless reminder of their love. Although  Mrs. Slade is hard to grow attached to as a character, Mrs. Ansley betrayed her companion for years all the while gaining secret comfort and happiness from her affair. It’s hardly fair to call that heroic. However, there is a composed nature to which she soaks up her happiness quietly. Like we’ve seen, she doesn’t need to prove herself to anyone, she is content with the life that she has lead and the choices she has made which is admirable, especially when comparing it to Mrs. Slade’s character.

This story leaves readers with a complex dilemma. In the end, when Mrs. Ansley finally reveals that she mothered a child belonging to Mr. Slade, I definitely felt triumph for her. However, is this wrong? To feel triumph for a woman who betrayed her friend from girlhood and kept the secret into middle age? Who would only tell the truth once absolutely backed into a corner and confronted. Yes, Mrs. Ansley had her moment of justice, however she wouldn’t have taken it if Mrs. Slade hadn’t pushed her. Mrs. Ansley didn’t have the courage to own up to her actions which leaves a kind of cowardly aspect to her character.

Perhaps there is no protagonist or antagonist. Perhaps this is a story that puts forth the message that you will never know anyone as well as you think you do. And perhaps this is a story about being content with the lot you have in life and not needing to prove yourself to the people around you. Whatever the intention of the author, this story gives readers a lot to ponder in the areas of right and wrong. This story is a clear example that the right and wrong of the world is not at all black and white but an extremely gray area that we must sort through, especially in our modern century.