End Of Dexter's Dream example essay topic

Dexter's dream that begins, then flourishes, but becomes unattainable in the end, exemplifies F. Scott Fitzgerald's corrupt idea of the typical American Dream. Society as a whole believes the American Dream consists of the freedom of individuality, material wealth, better landscape, and religious idealism. They look for the idealistic concept of what they want it to convey, rather than what it actually is. "Winter Dreams" portrays different thoughts of Fitzgerald's, particularly from events that happened in his own life during the Jazz Age. The beginning of Dexter Green's dream happens around 1911 at a golf course in Minnesota that he caddied for at the age of fourteen. A young girl of eleven, "beautifully ugly as little girls are apt to be", arrives to golf with her nanny when Dexter is instantly charmed by the girl's beauty.

For Dexter, the girl appears "to be inexpressibly lovely" and will "bring no end of misery to a great number of men" (590). However, this girl uses her status to boss Dexter around. Instead of acting as nothing more than a caddie for the girl, Dexter quits his job. He can now direct his attention towards her and nothing else. As the years pass by, Dexter's dream becomes a reality. As a recent graduate from college, Dexter now runs his own laundry business.

He receives an invitation to the golf course that he worked for so many years before. At this point, Judy, the girl from Dexter's teenage years, has blossomed into a lovely young woman. By accident, these two cross paths while on the golf course. When Dexter inadvertently asks her to dinner, it marks the beginning of their relationship. However, Judy is never content with one man.

She enjoys the company of many others. Jealousy comes upon Dexter, but then it became old after a while. He cannot accept Judy's lack of commitment. Time moves on and Dexter and Judy only come in contact a few times.

Dexter longs for her and knows he will never find satisfaction without her. The end of Dexter's dream comes upon his engagement to another woman. He does not love her, but he likes her family and they respect him. Of course, Dexter keeps Judy in the back of his mind. During this time, they find each other at a party. Judy reminisces about the years before and asks Dexter back to her house.

Against his own wishes, Dexter accepts the invitation for the night. Consequently, his decision cost him his fianc " ee and he is still without Judy. Dexter finally attempts to move on. Coincidentally, Dexter next hears about Judy a few years later while he is living in New York. Devlin, a friend of the business comments on knowing a girl from Dexter's hometown. She is now married and has children, but Devlin feels sorry for her husband treats her cruelly.

Dexter knows Devlin is talking about Judy and inquires more about the situation. Devlin claims that she has lost all of her beauty over the years. "For the first time in years the tears were streaming down his face. But they were for himself now."Long ago", he said, "long ago, there was something in me, but now that thing is gone.

Now that thing is gone, that thing is gone. I cannot cry. I cannot care. That thing will come back no more" (602). Dexter defends her, but in the end, realizes the irony of the situation. Fitzgerald is able to incorporate his opinion of how the idealistic American Dream promises more than it actually delivers.

People spend so much time focusing on the big things in life that they forget about all of the great things they already have. Dexter's dream progresses in stages, but he only achieves part of it and still is not satisfied. He has good intentions, but is overtaken by the want and the challenge of something he could never have. By writing Dexter's character this way, Fitzgerald is able to voice his opinion. "I am glad you are happy -- but I never believe much in happiness. I never believe in misery either.

Those are things you see on the stage of the screen or the printed page, they never really happen to you in life. All I believe in in life is the rewards for virtue and the punishments for not fulfilling your duties, which are doubly costly" (603). This quote from Fitzgerald to his daughter provides insight into his own life and emotions and why he perceives the society and its' American Dream in an altered manner. Fitzgerald, F. Scott. "A Letter to His Daughter".

Elements of Literature: Fifth Course. Robert E. Probst. Austin: Holt, 2000.603. Fitzgerald, F. Scott. "Winter Dreams".

Robert E. Probst. Austin: Holt, 2000.587-602.