Download Boone Wheeler Crafton, Per. 2, LA II Hns. March 6, 2002

Boone Wheeler
Crafton, Per. 2, LA II Hns.
March 6, 2002
Connotations and Irony in “Roman Fever”
and “A Wagner Matinee” Assignment
Question 1:
The title of “Roman Fever” has many associations within the actual text. The
feelings of Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. Slade in regard to Delphin Slade run fast and deep. The
burning fever caused by the chance of forbidden passion over took the two young girls
during their first visit to the ancient city of Rome. “Roman Fever” also refers to the ofttimes deadly disease that struck people out in the city past nightfall. When Mrs. Ansley
meets Delphin Slade late at night during the reign of the fever, these two fevers blend,
that of the heart, and that of the body, to create a feeling of forbidden situations within
the heart of Mrs. Ansley.
“A Wagner Matinee” also has many connotations within its text referring to its
title. Wagner, a famous composer, and his opera represent the world Georgiana has
forever forsaken to follow her love. Her entire life focused upon music and the joy it
brought her, even to the extent to where she became a teacher at a conservatory. Yet, as
she states in the story, she never realized what music was until she fell in love. The title
represents all that she sacrificed for the ability to follow her heart.
Question 3:
Both “Roman Fever” and “A Wagner Matinee” contain many of the same
elements, yet the style and texture of each story is distinctly different. “Roman Fever” has
a lighter, not so grim tone that made it a more enjoyable read. “A Wagner Matinee”
however, told a much more touching story. The relationship between the nephew and his
aunt is so well portrayed that even with the few pages the story was written on, their
relationship was easily understood and felt.
Even though for the most part the two stories had a very different style, there was
a common thread that became prevalent in both stories. In both stories the authors
flashback to previous times to further portray to the reader the entire situation while still
maintaining a concise plotline. For example, in “A Wagner Matinee” the narrator (Clark)
often informs the reader of his childhood, and effectively conveyed the source of his love
of music and at the same time further emphasized Georgiana’s. In “Roman Fever” both
Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. Slade think back to their younger days in Rome, effectively
explaining their peculiar friendship without wasting any time.