Roman Fever

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Roman fever refers to a particularly deadly strain of malaria that affected Rome, Italy, throughout various epochs in history; an epidemic of Roman Fever. It was thought that Roman fever was contracted at night, and thus that it was dangerous to venture out, a belief that American authors Henry James and Edith Wharton employ in their stories "Daisy Miller" and "Roman Fever," respectively.

In James's novella "Daisy Miller", American girl Daisy Miller contracts Roman fever after unwisely venturing to the Colosseum with her would-be Italian suitor Giovanelli.

[edit] Plot summary

Roman fever plays a more central role in Edith Wharton's short story of the same title, in which two best friends meet each other again in their middle years in Rome. The two protagonists are Grace Ansley and Alida Slade, both of whom are widows with one daughter. The two grew up in Manhattan, New York, and were friends from childhood. However, it is revealed that they know little about each other, which leads Mrs. Slade to nurture feelings of jealousy and hatred against Mrs. Ansley. This results in Mrs. Slade bringing up a letter written to Mrs. Ansley many years ago, back in Rome. The letter is purportedly from Mrs. Slade's then-fiancé, Delphin, inviting Mrs. Ansley to the Colosseum. In fact, it was Mrs. Slade who wrote the letter, in an attempt to get Mrs. Ansley sick with Roman Fever and out of the way of her engagement. Mrs. Ansley is surprised but quickly reveals that not only did she respond to the letter, but she actually went to the Colosseum. She tells Mrs. Slade that Delphin was, in fact, there. Although it is not directly mentioned, the story ends with a very strong implication that Delphin and Mrs. Ansley slept together that night, resulting in Mrs. Ansley's daughter Barbara.