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Outline Of Dexter's 'American Dream'

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Outline Of Dexter's 'American Dream'
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Thesis: Although Dexter 's dream can be paralleled to that of the American Dream Fitzgerald presents this idea of idealism in a negative sense saying that in reality the dream can never truly be achieved.

I.Introduction

A.American Dream Definition, American Dream Achievement, &Author 's Life Connections

B. Thesis

II.Origin of Dream

A.Dexter

1.Caddy at golf club

2.Meeting of Miss. Jones

B.Fitzgerald

1.Army Camp

2.Denied Proposal

III.Growth of Dream

A.Dexter

1. Fame and Fortune

2.Courting

B.Fitzgerald

1.Fame and Fortune

2.Marriage

IV.Loss of Dream

A.Dexter

1.Judy 's Abusive Husband

2.Judy 's Time-Consuming Children

3.Judy 's Lost Beauty

B.Fitzgerald

1.Drinking Problems

2.Domestic Fights

3.Psychiatric Treatment

V.Conclusion

A.Author 's Life Connections

B.Restate Thesis

The Parallels Between Dexter 's Dream and the Life of F. Scott Fitzgerald

Although Dexter 's dream parallels to that of the American Dream, Fitzgerald presents this idea of idealism in a negative sense, saying that in reality achieving this dream is impossible. The
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He losses this dream when he meets Devlin who tells him about Judy 's fate. Dexter learns from Devlin that Judy Jones married an abusive husband, spends her time taking care of her children, and most importantly lost her beauty. At this Dexter knows "the Dream was gone. Something had been taken from him." (Fitzgerald 601) Again this event parallels the life of Fitzgerald and Zelda. Throughout the years after their marriage both Fitzgerald and Zelda suffer from drinking problems which lead to fighting in their relationship. Zelda 's actions become more and more eccentric over the years and eventually need psychiatric treatment. After her first major breakdown Fitzgerald loses Zelda for good. She spends the rest of her life as a resident of insane

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