Winter Dreams Literary Analysis
Winter Dreams Literary Analysis The short story, “Winter Dreams”, by F. Scott Fitzgerald holds lasting impact today, mainly for the author’s ability to weave love, desire, emotion, and the moral fiber of an individual into a story. The underlying theme is centered on how charisma can drives a person to lose sight of their true goal in life, thereby finding pleasure in selfish gain which results in eventual loss. I will develop an analysis of characterization and theme in this famed short story that is as relevant today as it was when it was written in 1922. The story is a narrative account of Dexter Green, a reliable, self-assured individual who falls into the web of infatuation of a beautiful woman, Judy Jones. Ms. Jones is also a self-assured individual. She, however, bases her confidence on her outer beauty, a beauty that intoxicates men, bringing them to her knees. Judy represents intense passion, and she brings it out in men, empowering her own life. She leads Dexter to rather abruptly quit is work as a caddy because he yearns to impress Judy, and working as a caddy doesn’t meet her expectations. At the time Judy is only eleven years old. From a very young age, we see that Dexter is the kind of person who goes after his dreams, makes a plan and follows through, but Judy alters this. The characteristics of Dexter’s personality are made clear by F. Scott Fitzgerald in quick fashion. Dexter’s personality comes to light as Fitzgerald displays how astute, intelligent and confident the boy can be. Like Dexter, most of Fitzgerald’s male characters choose to feel empowered at the expense of the real. Only a world of illusion, such as Judy Jones’, that can handle her emotional intensity. For one, the story unfolds by casting a scene between a nurse and a young girl on the golf course. These women are having a heated conversation. Although Dexter is at a distance from the scene, he clearly witnesses the incident as troublesome. In the end, one girl
Cited: Bruccoli, Matthew J. "A Brief Life of Fitzgerald." A Brief Life of Fitzgerald. Simon & Schuster, 04 Dec. 2003. Web. 01 July 2012. Fitzgerald, F. Scott. "WINTER DREAMS." Winter Dreams. N.p., 21 Jan. 1998. Web. 04 July 2012. .