The Importance of the Minor Character in "Roman Fever" by Wharton.
Estelle Nedermeijer
Professor: A. Hoag
English Proficiency 1, 1b
18 October 2011
The importance of minor character in “Roman Fever” by Wharton.
Roman Fever is a story which was written by Edith Wharton in 1934. The story is divided in two parts and tells of the interactions of two women of high society. The story is mostly concentrated on the two major characters Mrs. Slanders and Mrs.
Ansley. However there are minor characters that also play an important role. The two minor characters the most described are Barbara and Jenny the daughters of Mrs. Slanders and Mrs. Ansley. The description of the minor characters is important in Roman Fever because it slowly builds up the story and the atmosphere in the story to make a powerful climax. This is done throughout the descriptions of the characters as well as the contrasts between all of the characters personalities. Barbara is an important minor character because she helps by giving information about Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley personalities. Barbara plays a greater role than Jenny in this story because she is mentioned more times but also because of the fact that she is a key character to the plot. With the help of her character we can learn from Mrs. Slade that she seeks action in her life because she got bored of her widows life as it is expressed by “Yes; being the Slade's widow was a dullish business after that.” (Wharton 88). Mrs. Slade also envies Mrs. Ansley because she has such a gaily daughter which brings excitement into her dull life this is supported by the phrase ““Now with Babs Ansley I don't know that I should be so quiet," Mrs. Slade sometimes half-enviously reflected...” (Wharton 88). Mrs. Ansley on the other hand doesn’t want to get too involved in her daughter’s life, she would rather have a peaceful life than an active one as it is expressed by “And… and never be in their way... she's much too tactful…and a perfectly peaceful old age among her grandchildren."(Wharton 90). All
Professor: A. Hoag
English Proficiency 1, 1b
18 October 2011
The importance of minor character in “Roman Fever” by Wharton.
Roman Fever is a story which was written by Edith Wharton in 1934. The story is divided in two parts and tells of the interactions of two women of high society. The story is mostly concentrated on the two major characters Mrs. Slanders and Mrs.
Ansley. However there are minor characters that also play an important role. The two minor characters the most described are Barbara and Jenny the daughters of Mrs. Slanders and Mrs. Ansley. The description of the minor characters is important in Roman Fever because it slowly builds up the story and the atmosphere in the story to make a powerful climax. This is done throughout the descriptions of the characters as well as the contrasts between all of the characters personalities. Barbara is an important minor character because she helps by giving information about Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley personalities. Barbara plays a greater role than Jenny in this story because she is mentioned more times but also because of the fact that she is a key character to the plot. With the help of her character we can learn from Mrs. Slade that she seeks action in her life because she got bored of her widows life as it is expressed by “Yes; being the Slade's widow was a dullish business after that.” (Wharton 88). Mrs. Slade also envies Mrs. Ansley because she has such a gaily daughter which brings excitement into her dull life this is supported by the phrase ““Now with Babs Ansley I don't know that I should be so quiet," Mrs. Slade sometimes half-enviously reflected...” (Wharton 88). Mrs. Ansley on the other hand doesn’t want to get too involved in her daughter’s life, she would rather have a peaceful life than an active one as it is expressed by “And… and never be in their way... she's much too tactful…and a perfectly peaceful old age among her grandchildren."(Wharton 90). All