Name: _________________________
Period: _______
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “Winter Dreams”
Directions: We will be reading and discussing this story in class so your answers should be
detailed and comprehensive.
1. Define the following terms below using p. 840 in your textbook.
Dynamic characters:
Static characters:
2. The main character in “Winter Dreams” is a young man from a Midwestern town who
pursues his dreams. What are your aspirations for yourself in five years? Ten years?
3. What is the significance of the title? Why do you think Fitzgerald used “winter” and not
“spring” or “fall” in the title?
4. What is the setting of Part I?
5. Based on his daydreams, what are some of Dexter’s aspirations?
6. How does Dexter feel about Mr. Jones? Do you believe he should feel this way?
7. How does Judy Jones treat her nurse? What does this reveal about her character?
8. Why do you think Dexter quits?
9. What is the significance of the line: “Dexter was unconsciously dictated to by his winter
dreams”?
10. In Part II, what do Dexter’s “winter dreams” persuade him to do?
11. Why do people say “Now there’s a boy—“ about Dexter?
12. How does Dexter make his successful living?
13. Why doesn’t Dexter tell his partners that he once caddied at Sherry Island?
14. What does Judy Jones say after she hits Mr. Hedrick with her golf ball? What does this
reaction say about her character? At this point, is her character dynamic or static?
15. How has Dexter’s perception of Judy Jones changed?
16. What atmosphere does the descriptive language used in Part II create? Examples: (1) “sun
when down in a riotous swirl” (2) “metaphor: “silver molasses” (3) personification: “the
moon held a finger to her lips.”
17. How does Dexter feel as he listens to the music from the piano?
18. When Dexter heard the music five years before, “he could not afford the luxury of proms,
and he had stood outside the gymnasium and listened.” Now, what does this music
symbolize?
19. What does Judy’s treatment of her suitor reveal about her personality? Does this make her a
dynamic or static character? Explain.
20. Read the line: “For the second time, her casual shim gave a new direction to his life.” What
was the first whim? How does this new direction differ from the last one?
21. Read the following lines: “But carelessness was for his children…her son [Dexter] must
keep to the set patterns.” What does this reveal about Dexter’s thoughts about himself and
his place in society?
22. In Part III, what is ironic about Dexter’s view concerning Judy’s past suitors, himself, and his
children?
23. Why does Dexter claim to be from Keeble rather than Black Bear Village?
24. When Judy tells Dexter of the “poor man” is she being sincere? Why/why not? What other
motivations might she have for telling him this story?
25. Based on the story so far, do you think Dexter and Judy will have a lasting relationship?
Why or why not?
26. In Part IV, although Dexter recognizes deficiencies in Judy’s “unprincipled personality,” he
has “no desire to change her.” What might this reveal about Dexter’s own personality?
27. As a boy, Dexter felt hope during the autumn season, but how does he feel now? What is the
significance of his current feelings?
28. What does it mean that Judy “nourish[es] herself wholly from within”?
29. What does “No disillusion as to the world in which he had grown up could cure his illusion
as to her desirability” mean?
30. Why do you think Dexter decides to become engaged to Irene Scheerer?
31. A series of metaphors are used to describe Dexter’s view of Irene. Pick one of them and
write it. How does he view Irene?
32. What does “That old penny’s worth of happiness he had spent for this bushel of content”
mean?
33. Fitzgerald references gold when he describes Judy’s garments at the dance. What might gold
symbolize for Dexter?
34. Do you think Judy is sincere? Why or why not?
35. In Part 5, what indicates that Dexter has become insensitive and self-absorbed?
36. Why do you think Dexter responds the way he does to Judy’s betrayal?
37. Why does Dexter welcome the war?
38. What does Devlin tell Dexter?
39. What does Judy symbolize to Dexter?
40. Explain the following lines: “The dream was gone. Something had been taken from him.”
41. Do you think Dexter’s dreams are worthwhile? Explain and provide evidence.
42. Do you think Judy is a static or dynamic character? Explain and provide evidence.
43. Do you think Dexter is a static or dynamic character? Explain and provide evidence.