“Winter Dreams” Study Guide
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Name __________________________
Vocabulary: Define each word.
1. Precipitate __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Patrimony___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Retinue_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Blatantly____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Petulance____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Camaraderie__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Mundane____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Precarious___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. Fallow _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. Fortuitous __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. Perturbation ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
12. Rakish ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
13. Sinuous ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
14. Priggish____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Symbols: Symbols are seen throughout “Winter Dreams.” For the two below, describe the deeper meaning, beyond what is seen on the surface.
Winter: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Reading Comprehension: As we read, answer each question in complete sentences.
15. In the first paragraph, what does the reader learn about Dexter, his family, and their social status?
16. What does Dexter imagine one hundred times over? What is the significance of this?
17. Who is Mr. Mortimer Jones? What does he tell Dexter?
18. What is the real reason Dexter quit his job as a caddy at the club?
19. What are Dexter’s “winter dreams”?
20. What did Dexter do that allowed him to become successful?
21. What happens while Dexter is playing golf at the Sherry Island Golf Club?
22. How is Judy Jones described in Part II? What do her actions reveal about her character?
23. What thoughts of Dexter’s does the boat interrupt when it appears next to him? Why is this symbolic?
24. What happens at the end of Part II?

25. What does Dexter wish for and admit in the first paragraph of Part III?
26. What disappoints Dexter about his dinner with Judy?
27. Why does Judy Jones wish to weep a little? What does this say about her character?
28. What does this quote say about Judy? “Last night I thought I was in love with a man, tonight I think I’m in love with you.”
29. What is Judy’s ploy when it comes to men?
30. What does Dexter convince himself about Judy? How does he accomplish this goal?
31. In lines 459-469 what comparisons does Dexter make? What do these metaphors say about Irene and Dexter’s relationship?
32. What does Judy tell Dexter in the car? What does she say she will be for him (571)?
33. What does Dexter do at the end of Part V?
34. What is Judy’s life like as a married woman? How has she changed?
35. Why is Dexter so disturbed and saddened at the end of the story?
Interpretation: Read the following questions and interpret the meaning of the quotes completely.
Critic Marius Bewley has argued that Fitzgerald’s main subject is always “the American Dream in which… his principal heroes are all trapped.”
How well does this statement apply to “Winter Dreams”? Use at least 2 examples from the story to support your opinion.
In lines 128-129, Fitzgerald says of Dexter, “He wanted not association with glittering things and glittering people – he wanted the glittering things themselves.” What does this tell you about Dexter’s reasons for seeking status?
What is significant about the fact that Dexter’s dreams are born, and revolve around the season of winter? In usual circumstances, what does winter represent? How could this have foreshadowed what was to come for Dexter?