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Name:

Professor English

Paper#4

27 March 2023

"Icy Dreams: Ambition and Disillusionment"

"Winter Dreams" by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a short story that revolves around the life of

Dexter Green, a young man from a modest background who aspires to climb the social ladder

and win the affections of Judy Jones, a wealthy and beautiful woman from the upper class. The

story follows Dexter's journey from adolescence to adulthood, depicting his struggles and

disillusionment as he strives to achieve his dreams. The central idea of the story is the

exploration of social class, ambition, and the inevitable disillusionment that follows when

dreams are confronted with reality. The author utilizes a third-person limited point of view and a

vivid, symbolic setting to effectively convey this central idea and reveal the complexity of the

characters and their conflicts.

Fitzgerald's choice of the third-person limited point of view allows the reader to observe

Dexter's thoughts and emotions while maintaining a degree of detachment. The narrative is

predominantly focused on Dexter's perspective, which is appropriate to the central idea as it

allows the reader to understand his ambitions and aspirations, as well as the internal conflicts that

arise from his pursuit of Judy and social status. The narrator is reliable, presenting the events of

the story in a clear and chronological manner. The use of this point of view also enables the

reader to sympathize with Dexter as he grapples with his desires and the harsh realities of life.

For example, the reader is privy to Dexter's inner thoughts when he reflects on his "winter
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dreams," which are "not of the things he wanted but of the things he wanted to want" (Fitzgerald,

p. 34-36). This insight into Dexter's psyche effectively reveals his character and the central

conflict of his struggle between ambition and disillusionment.

The setting of "Winter Dreams" is essential in conveying the story's central idea, as it is

deeply intertwined with the social class dynamics and Dexter's aspirations. The story takes place

in the early 20th century in the American Midwest, during a time of rapid economic growth and

social change. The geographical setting, particularly the wealthy community surrounding the

Sherry Island Golf Club, underscores the divide between the social classes and Dexter's yearning

to belong to the world of the elite. The story spans several years, allowing the reader to witness

the progression of Dexter's life and the evolution of his dreams.

The point of view in "Winter Dreams" is instrumental in revealing the character of Dexter

Green and the central conflict between his ambitions and the reality he faces. The third-person

limited point of view allows the reader to access Dexter's thoughts and emotions, providing

insights into his motivations and the complexity of his character. Textual evidence of this can be

found when the narrator describes Dexter's feelings towards Judy: "It was not so much that he

wanted her; it was that he wanted the things she represented" (Fitzgerald, p. 40-41). This passage

reveals that Dexter's pursuit of Judy is not only driven by love but also by his desire to obtain the

social status and lifestyle she embodies, thus revealing the central conflict.

The setting for "Winter Dreams" plays a significant role in establishing the central idea

and influencing the characters and conflict. The historical setting, during the early 20th century

in the American Midwest, is a time of rapid economic growth and social change, making it a

fitting backdrop for Dexter's aspirations. The geographical setting, particularly the wealthy
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community surrounding the Sherry Island Golf Club, emphasizes the social class divide and

Dexter's longing to be a part of the elite class. Moreover, the setting reveals and influences the

characters by highlighting the differences between their social standings and the emotional

turmoil they experience. For example, the opulent environment at the golf club demonstrates the

vast gap between Dexter's modest upbringing and the lifestyle of Judy and the upper class. This

disparity fuels Dexter's ambition and contributes to the conflict between his dreams and the harsh

reality he eventually faces.

The seasonal aspect of the setting also plays a vital role in the central conflict. The

contrast between the idyllic summers and the harsh winters represents the disparity between

Dexter's dreams and the reality he must confront. The winter season not only symbolizes the

unattainable nature of Dexter's ambitions but also reflects his emotional state as he grapples with

disillusionment. This symbolic quality of the setting reinforces the central idea and adds depth to

the characters and their conflicts (Fobes, p. 09-11, 2013).

The symbolic aspects of the setting also contribute to the central idea. The title "Winter

Dreams" refers to both the literal winter season when Dexter first encounters Judy and the

metaphorical winter of his life when his dreams are frozen and unattainable. The seasonal motif

is further emphasized by the contrast between the idyllic summers at the golf club and the harsh

winters that symbolize the reality Dexter faces. As scholar Suren J. Garibyan asserts, "the

seasons in 'Winter Dreams' function not only as markers of time but also as reflections of the

characters' emotional and psychological states" (Garibyan, p. 47). This interplay between the

seasons and the characters' emotions amplifies the story's exploration of ambition, social class,

and the disillusionment that comes with the pursuit of dreams.

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In conclusion, F. Scott Fitzgerald's "Winter Dreams" skillfully employs a third-person

limited point of view and a multi-layered setting to explore the central idea of social class,

ambition, and disillusionment. Fitzgerald effectively uses the point of view and setting in

"Winter Dreams" to reveal the characters' complexities and the central conflict between ambition

and disillusionment. The third-person limited point of view allows the reader to access Dexter's

thoughts and emotions, while the historical, geographical, and symbolic aspects of the setting

emphasize the social class divide and the emotional struggles the characters face. The point of

view allows for an intimate understanding of Dexter's character and conflicts while the setting

serves to highlight the social class divide and the symbolic implications of the characters'

emotional states. Through this masterful interplay of point of view and setting, Fitzgerald offers

a poignant and thought-provoking examination of the dreams and desires that shape our lives. In

the end, Dexter Green awakens from his "Winter Dreams" and leaves them behind, accepting the

harsh reality that they will never come to fruition. As the story concludes, Dexter confronts the

truth that his pursuit of Judy Jones and the high society lifestyle she represents has led only to

disillusionment and emotional desolation. This realization brings a sense of closure to his

journey, as he finally lets go of the dreams that have consumed him for so long.
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Works Cited

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. "Winter Dreams." All the Sad Young Men, Scribner, 1926.

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/68229

Garibyan, Suren J. "The Seasonal Motif in 'Winter Dreams': A Reflection of the Characters'

Emotional and Psychological States." The Explicator, vol. 68, no. 1, 2010, pp. 47-50.

Fobes, Alexander S. "F. Scott Fitzgerald, Virginia Woolf, and the Watch for Spots of Time." The

F. Scott Fitzgerald Review, vol. 11, no. 1, 2013, pp. 80-98, Penn State University Press.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259746333_F_Scott_Fitzgerald_Virginia_Woolf_and_t

he_Watch_for_Spots_of_Time