“Roman Fever” Literary Elements

Setting Where and when (Time and place) Always consider how the setting impacts the plot of the story and the characters. How does the setting impact Mrs. Grace Ansley and Mrs. Alida Slade?

Foreshadowing A clue or a hint regarding what may come later in the story Was the ending of “Roman Fever” (or any surprises along the way) foreshadowed by the author?

Irony Irony is a DISCREPANCY between expectation and reality. Three Types Verbal Dramatic Situational

Verbal Irony A figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant Often employed to create “sarcasm” Example – You meet your date for the Winter Formal. You are wearing a new cocktail dress and heels, while he is wearing his lax hoodie, gym shorts, and sneakers. You say, “Wow, I see you really dressed up for me.”

Dramatic Irony A discrepancy between what a character says or thinks and what a reader knows to be true. Example – In scary movies, the entire audience knows that there is an intruder in the house, a monster in the closet, a zombie in the woods, etc., but the protagonist and other characters are unaware of it.

Situational Irony A situation in which there is an incongruity between: appearance and reality expectation and fulfillment the actual situation and what would seem appropriate Example – When John Hinckley tried to assassinate Reagan, all of his shots initially missed the President; however, a bullet ricocheted off the bullet-proof Presidential limousine and struck Reagan in the chest. Thus, a vehicle made to protect the President from gunfire was partially responsible for his being shot. In ”The Gift of the Magi” a young couple are too poor to buy each other Christmas gifts. The wife cuts off her treasured hair to sell it to a wig-maker for money to buy her husband a chain for his heirloom pocket watch. He pawns his watch to buy her a set of combs for her long, beautiful hair.