Richard Cory And Winter Dreams

The American Dream has and continues to be a vow of prosperity to all the citizens of the United States. For millions, the idea that hard work, dedication, and unyielding determination could one day lead to a better life, makes them proud to be an American. This vision of a better future is often accompanied by thoughts of mansions and luxury cars, fancy clothes and cock tail parties, and even yachts and private jets, all accompanied with the hope of endless happiness. Although many correlate wealth with happiness, some would refute this claim specifically, Edwin Arlington Robinson, author of “Richard Cory” and F. Scott Fitzgerald who wrote “Winter Dreams”. Although both authors write entirely different works of literature, Robinson a poem …show more content…
Although the theme is extremely obvious throughout the story, literary elements are still required to develop and support the authors lesson, with irony being one of Fitzgeralds most valuable tools in accomplishing this goal. When Derek Greene decided to quit his job, he mainly did so because of the then young Judy Jones who he described as “beautifully ugly… [with] a general ungodliness in the way her lips twisted down at the corners when she smiled” he goes on to characterize her as an immense spoiled brat who he would not stoop to caddie for (Fitzgerald 660-661). After he quits his job he goes on to become a massively successful entrepanuer up North getting all that he had ever wanted, but when he comes back into town he falls head over heels for Judy Jones, her age having made her once distasteful features beautiful (Fitzgerald 662-663). Over the course of the rest of the book he again and again does whatever Judy desires, allowing her to cheat on him repeatedly, allow her play with his emotions mercilessly, and even leaving his fiancé for her upon request (668-672). The irony of him refusing to serve Judy while working as a middle class caddie, but despertly try to please her every desire as a wealthy man provides great fire to the theme that money cannot buy happiness. As a child, Dexter was not rich, but sought wealth and independence for his happiness, refusing to be subservient …show more content…
At the beginning of “Winter Dreams” Fitzgerald paints a mood in the story that matches Derek Greenes outlook on life, hopeful. Derek believes that he can one day become wealthy. He hopes and believes this message to such an extent that he is willing to risk his job and stability to go out on his own and start a new life, one where he can become the success he has always wanted to be (Fitzgerald 661-662). Dereks actions give the story a mood and a sense of hope. The reader believes that Derek can become what he has always sought out to be and the root for his victories in life. As the story continues the plot takes a sudden shift from Dereks previous hopes and goals to his new love for Judy Jones. Although achieveing his life goals, he is desperate to have Judy, no matter the cost to him or his ambitions. He follows her endlessly and his love for her knows no bounds. His desire for does not stay romantic as his passion turns into obsession, and his obsession soon turns into desperation, with him even crying near the end of the book at the thought of never being able to claim the beautiful Judy Jones for his own (Fitzgerald 674-675). This causes the mood of the book to shift dramatically, away from Dereks once hopeful and prosperios future to a mood of desperation, where the thing he wants the most shall always be just outside his grasp. As the mood shifts, so does the