Exposing Gender Stereotypes in Roman Fever The definitive criteria for judging the success or failure of a work of fiction are not easily agreed upon; individuals almost necessarily introduce bias into any such endeavor. Only those who display an exorbitantly refined artistic taste, however, would deny the importance of intensity in literary works. To be sure, writings of dubious and fleeting merit often enchant audiences, but there is also the occasional author who achieves widespread acclaim and whose works remain deeply moving despite the passage of time. The continued prominence of Edith Wharton's fiction attests to her place in such a category of authors: it is a recognition of her propensity to create touching and, indeed, successful literature. The brevity of his "Roman Fever" allows for a brilliant demonstration of this talent: we find many of his famous qualities in the space of a few pages. "Roman Fever" is truly exceptional: a work that denounces the gender stereotypes of the time (1936) but which goes beyond documentary to reveal something of the perennial antagonisms of human nature. From the first sentence of the story, to the introduction of two “mature but well-groomed middle-aged” women, it becomes clear that stereotypes are in question (Wharton 1116). This mild description conjures up immediate images of demure, supportive wives, protected by their husbands. Neither woman is without her "well-fitted black purse," and only several paragraphs into the article do Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley acquire names (1117). Thus, without even revealing the women's thoughts to the reader, Wharton has already revealed much of their personal worlds. They live in a society that expects women to act primarily as background figures, fully engaged in furthering their husbands' careers and in the constant struggle to remain beautiful. Indeed, little else is desired or even tolerated3/4 and Grace Ansley and Alida Slade appear, at first glance, to conform perfectly to this image. As the workings of the characters' minds are revealed, the extent to which they have internalized these values ​​becomes apparent. Each, in the brief description of the other, states that his acquaintance was quite beautiful in his youth. Alida remembers how much she loved being married to a famous lawyer; she misses being "Slade's wife" (1119). Surprisingly, now that their husbands have died, we find that the women consider themselves to be in a state of “unemployment”" (1118)!