1. “Roman Fever” by Edith Wharton

2. Using your own words, define the following:
resentment against a rival, a person  enjoying success or advantage, etc., or against another’s success or advantage itself.
a feeling of discontent or 
covetousness with regard to another's advantages, 
success, possessions, etc.
Jealousy
Envy

3. Find a partner and discuss the following:
What do jealousy and envy have in common?
Why are jealousy and envy dangerous? Are they?
Can jealousy or envy ever be positive?

4. Using your own words, define the following:
Revenge
Vengeance
to exact punishment or 
expiation for a 
wrong on behalf of, 
especially in a 
resentful or vindictive spirit
infliction of injury, harm, 
humiliation, or the like, on a person by another who 
has been harmed by that person

5. Find a partner and discuss the following:
What do revenge and vengeance have in common?
Why is revenge and vengeance dangerous? Is it?
Can revenge or vengeance every be justified?
How are the ideas of jealousy and envy related to revenge and vengeance?

6. To help you focus as you read, you should know . . .
Two middle-aged upper-class American women are sitting on the restaurant terrace of their hotel overlooking Rome after lunch. They have known each other for many years (they originally met in Rome many years ago), and their daughters (who are also friends) have gone out for the afternoon.
The two women compare their own youthful experiences of Rome with those possible for young women of their daughters’ generation.

7. To help you focus as you read, you should know . . .
Roman fever isn’t just the title of a short story. Roman fever might sound like something you’d like to have. In fact, in the 1920s, Roman fever had another meaning. Turns out it's just malaria. Back in the day, people thought you'd contract the disease from being out at night in secluded areas. So basically, you get "Roman fever" in the same way you get a bad reputation.
"Fevers" in general connoted having gone a little crazy, as they still do today—like Spring Fever, Cabin Fever, Bieber Fever—you name it. What exactly are these women crazy for? Lust, attention, excitement? Let’s find out.

8. Who Are Our Main Characters?
Grace Ansley—A middle-aged American woman who is reminiscing with her friend in Rome
Horace Ansley—Grace’s husband
Barbara Ansley—Grace’s daughter
Alida Slade—A middle-aged American woman, Grace Ansley’s friend
Delphin Slade—Alida’s husband
Jenny Slade—Alida’s daughter

9. “Roman Fever” was first published in the magazine Liberty in 1934, and was later included in Wharton's last short-story collection, The World Over.

10. “Roman Fever”
There will be a quiz Tuesday at the beginning of class over the story!
Page 906–Read the short story by Edith Wharton. As you read, find examples of major themes that are present in the story. You should have at least 3 examples for each theme.
What you need to look for:
Friendship
Jealousy
Betrayal
Revenge
The Ever-Present Past
This piece can also be found on my website as a link!

11. STOP HERE! The remaining slides are for Tuesday!

13. Step 1
On your own piece of paper, select and write down two quotes that you think are the most important to the story. Write a 2-3 sentence explanation for each of your quotes.

14. Step 2
In your table group, share your quotes and discuss what you have each chosen and why you chose it.

15. Step 3
As a group, choose one quote to share with the class. Choose a back up quote just in case another group has the same quote.

16. What was Wharton thinking?
Wharton hints at the possibility that Barbara Ansley and Jenny Slade will repeat the actions of their mothers. What are some of the parallels she creates between Barbara and Grace/Jenny and Alida?

17. What do you think?
Why didn't Grace publicly acknowledge her love for Delphin and force him to choose between her and Alida?
Do you believe Grace told Delphin about her pregnancy?
Do you believe Grace told Horace that he was not Barbara's biological father?
Do you believe Grace told Barbara that she was Jenny's biological half-sister? 
Why do you think Wharton calls her story “Roman Fever”?