Comparing Jealousy In Bernice Bobs Her Hair And Roman Fever
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Fitzgerald’s “Bernice Bobs Her Hair” and Wharton’s “Roman Fever” The stories “Bernice Bobs Her Hair” and “Roman Fever” present a fierce feminine competition, jealousy and betrayal. While both stories show that jealousy and envy will turn on you in the long run, the story “Roman Fever” suggests that betrayal goes unpunished and the message of the story is dark and morally wrong.
In “Roman Fever”, the intentions behind the actions of the main characters are wicked. When Alida sends Grace in the Coliseum with the false letter, her intention wasn’t remotely close to keeping Grace away briefly. Her intention was to make Grace sick from malaria and heartbroken by Delphin’s absence. Even after twenty five years, Mrs. Slade aspires to hurt Mrs. Ansley by telling her about the letter. Though she later wonders to herself why she is trying to harm her friend, her intentions were still unkind.
In contrast, in “Bernice Bobs Her Hair”, the actions of the characters are not intended to harm one another. Their intentions are not atrocious; they are immature. Marjorie tells Bernice to go back home because she doesn’t wish to risk her social status by having a dreary cousin. Unlike Alida in “Roman Fever”, Marjorie doesn’t construct a way to cause Bernice illness; she simply tells…show more content… Earlier in the story, we learn that Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley are widows. The most essential death in the story, however, is the death of Aunt Harriet’s younger sister. Aunt Harriet sent her sister out at night since they were both in love with the same man (Roman Fever 415). The girl caught Roman Fever and died. The girl’s death is incredibly vital in the story since it is what inspired Alida to write the letter to Grace. It also shows the lengths the women will go to, to secure their relationship. In contrast, “Bernice Bobs Her Hair” has no death involved, which gives the story a light and humorous