F. Scott Fitzgerald's Winter Dreams

In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short story, “Winter Dreams”, he suggests that the American Dream is a desire for glittery items. Being successful was Dexter’s desire, but Judy Jones was his infatuation. At a young age, Dexter had dreamed of being as successful as the men he had caddied for. After laying his eyes on Judy Jones, Dexter perceived that he would never have Judy, but she quickly became his most unreachable goal in life. When Dexter had quit his job as a caddie due to the way Judy was treating him, he had eventually opened a Laundromat that had progressed and became five branches across the city, which he had later sold. In the story, the author said “Often he reached out for the best without knowing why he wanted it...” (Fitzgerald 375). This quote relates to Dexter’s desire for material success as well as his desire for Judy Jones. He has always wanted to be wealthy, but he was not sure about why. When Dexter had first met Judy, he instantly fell in love, but he was not sure why. Judy ran off with other men while she had been with Dexter, but he had always forgiven her. When Dexter sold his business and moved to New York, he became engaged to a woman by the name of Irene. Dexter felt a feeling that he had not felt while he was with Judy. …show more content…
After being with her for the night, he began to have strong feelings for her again, and he had left Irene because of those feelings. The author says “IT WAS STRANGE that neither when it was over, nor a long time afterward did he regret that night.” Dexter was extremely blinded by his love for Judy, that he did not care that he left Irene. He just wanted to be with Judy. “He loved her, and he would love her until the day he was too old for loving--but he could not have her.” says Fitzgerald. Dexter was hurt. He just wanted Judy, but he had tried his hardest and she continued to do as she