Winter Dreams
F. Scott Fitzgerald
A Short Story Exploring The American Dream, Love, & Success
Pre-Reading Questions
1.
When you think about your American Dream, how important to you personally is finding someone to marry/fall in love with? Explain why this is or
is not important, and explain how you came to this decision. (4-5 sentences)
Section 1 & 2 Questions:
1.
What social class does Dexter Green belong to? How do we know?
2.
What qualities make the “little girl” (Miss Jones) attr active? Do you agree that these qualities make a girl attractive? Explain.
3.
What are your first impressions of Miss Jones? How do you know she is from a different class than Dexter?
4.
Why do you really think Dexter quit his caddying job?
5.
Read the sentence that begins “He wanted not association with glittering things. . .” in the first paragraph of section. What does this line mean, and
why is it important?
6.
How does Dexter feel when he plays golf with the “well-to-do” for the first time? How does this connect to his American Dream?
7.
How does Judy Jones reintroduce herself into Dexter’s life? What does the “entrance” say about her?
8.
What do you predict the future will look like for this couple? WHY?
Sections 3-4-5
1.
Why do you think Dexter dresses and acts in such carefully planned ways? How is this connected to what some may say is the “corruption” of the
American Dream?
2.
How does Judy get what she wants from men? What do you think is the purpose of men in Judy’s life?
3.
What does the conversation on page 1034 reveal about Judy Jones’ character?
4.
How is Dexter’s desire for Judy connected to his American Dream in general?
5.
If Judy is Dexter’s American Dream, what does that say about the American Dream?
6.
What does Dexter like about Irene? How does he feel about his engagement to her?
7.
What does Dexter do that causes Irene grief? Does this make him the “bad guy” in the story? Explain
8.
Is Dexter stupid for loving Judy? Explain.
9.
Based on the end of the story, what do you think Fitzgerald would say in regard to the achievability of the American Dream?
Post-Reading
Part II: MORNING TALK SHOW
Creative Writing, Development
GUYS, imagine you are trying to talk some sense into Dexter Greene about his obsession with Judy Jones. Write a snapshot of dialogue (10 lines) between you
and Dexter. Make sure Dexter’s responses reflect his character in the story.
OR
GIRLS, imagine you are trying to talk some sense into Judy Jones about the way she treats men and relationships. Write a snapshot of dialogue (10 lines)
between you and Judy. Make sure Judy’s responses reflect her character in the story.
BOTH ~ MORNING TALK SHOW!