Narrative Perspective in Edith Wharton's 'Roman Fever'

Seminar paper from the year 2015 in the subject Didactics for the subject English - Discussion and Essays, grade: 1.2, University of Freiburg (Philologische Fakultät), language: English, abstract: Edith Wharton's 'The Writing of Fiction' explores narrative techniques crucial for crafting compelling stories. Focused on her short story 'Roman Fever,' this essay delves into Wharton's emphasis on narrator control, concealment, and strategic revelation of story elements. Wharton advocates for revealing insights through specific fragments, constructing a captivating whole and maintaining audience interest. Examining 'Roman Fever,' the essay argues that Wharton skillfully connects narrative construction with gradual character secret disclosure. The story unfolds on a Roman terrace, concealing secrets until a climactic revelation involving American women Grace Ansley and Alida Slade. Selected passages illustrate Wharton's deliberate shaping of perspective, emphasizing her preference for withholding closure. The analysis centers on Wharton's use of an omniscient narrator and internal focalization on Alida Slade, exploring how the narrative voice mediates content, controlling readers' perspectives on events and characters. The essay delves into the intricacies of the second story construction, providing a detailed examination. The goal is to draw insightful conclusions about Wharton's narrative techniques and their impact on temporal disclosure. This exploration promises readers a deeper understanding of Wharton's literary craftsmanship and an enriched appreciation for the interplay between narrative perspective and storytelling construction in 'Roman Fever.'

Geboren 1993 in Waldshut, Deutschland, zeigte sie schon früh Interesse an Sprachen, Werbung und Reisen. Nach dem Abschluss ihres Bachelor of Arts in Englisch und BWL an der Albert Ludwigs Uni in Freiburg, absolvierte sie einen Master of Science in BWL mit Schwerpunkt Marketing. Sie arbeitete in den Bereichen Consulting und Marketing, bevor sie vor einem Jahr als Freelancerin tätig wurde. Sie bietet Dienstleistungen rund um Marketing und E-Commerce an und leitet erfolgreich einen Online Shop in der Schweiz.