One of the most renowned and notable short stories of F. Scott Fitzgerald is Winter Dreams. This story first appeared in 1922 in Metropolitan Magazine. The narrative explores the life of Dexter Green who is middle-class boy who desires to a member of the “old money” elite. And out of this desire, he works hard in order to gain a wealthy status. Despite of his hard work, he still feels an outsider. He soon meets a girl who he eventually discovers is just stringing him along. After years of not seeing her and hearing the news of the girl’s sad fate, he still realizes that he still has some love left for her. At the core of story are then themes of class and society as well as the negative side of American Dream. These two themes are mainly exemplified by the characters of the narrative.
Society and class is one of the most prominent themes in this story. Such themes are clear on the author’s use of objects such as the boat and golf balls, as well as how he utilized his characters. In fact, In the same way, he uses the characters of Judy to represent the concept of wealth and high society. And similar to her high wealthy status, she is represented as someone who is both alluring yet unattainable. This particularly relates to the dreams of Dexter Green who wishes to be a part of the rich society. Another character that represents the status is the father of Judy, Mortimer Jones. As a member of the Sherry Island Gold Club, Jones like his daughter lives the rich life as he spends most of his time playing golf as if he has no care in the world.
And yet despite of the affluence, it is also evident how the author likes to communicate that along with these monetary resources, is a sense of sadness and a feeling of being incomplete. In the second part of the story, the author underscores the complexities of an indulgent life:
“Often he reached out for the best without knowing why he did it – and something he ran up against the mysterious denials and prohibitions in which life indulges” (Fitzgerald 16).
In this line Fitzgerald shows how the concept of wealth along with money and comfort are nothing but insubstantial objects that will soon fade. Hence, he communicates the fact that while the themes of class and wealth are dominant in the story, such concepts are in fact illusions or a substitute for happiness.
The idea of American Dream is another important theme in the story. American Dream which is the ideals that offers the opportunity of success and prosperity, is best embodied by the character of Dexter. The author portrays his protagonist as someone who came from the middle class; and because of hard work has earned his success and the realization of his dreams. But despite of his hard work, Dexter finds himself trying to hide his origins. Coming from this perspective, it is evident that the author is trying to underline the fact that while the American Dream affords people fortune, it cannot buy happiness. This is clear on ambiguous relationship of Dexter with his middle-class origin and how he is proud of it; as well as how he tries to hide it and instead present his “wealthy” self.
To sum, Winter Dream offers the readers the themes of class and society as well as the concept of the American Dream. These two themes are embodied by the characters. However, the most interesting part of the story is how the author aligns both themes to communicate the main message which is the inability of money or wealth to buy true happiness.
Works Cited
Fitzgerald, F.S. Winter Dreams. NY: Kessinger Publishing, 2004