Winter Dreams Symbolism

In "Winter Dreams” F. Scott Fitzgerald uses literary devices to develop Dexter's character. Dexter's character is also developed through his relationship with Judy. Judy changes Dexter and his views on many things during the story including his dreams. Through his change Dexter is developed into a dynamic and round character.

An example of a literary device to develop Dexter that Fitzgerald uses is symbolism. Symbolism is an important literary device used in “Winter Dreams”. Fitzgerald uses symbolism through this text to show the development in characters and setting. An example of this would be when Dexter first sees Judy Jones, he describes her wearing a “blue corduroy shirt,” which symbolizes her as young and still innocent. As the story

A main example of symbolism is Dexter's winter dreams. Dexter's winter dreams symbolized his fantasies and motivated him to chase his ambitions. Fitzgerald wrote that Dexter is “dictated to by his winter dreams” which shows he was heavily influenced by his dreams. These examples of symbolism show how Dexter and Judy change throughout the story and give an idea of the future of Dexter's life. Foreshadowing is also an important literary device used to create Dexter's character in “Winter Dreams”. Foreshadowing hints the future to the reader to create tenison to keep the reader interested. When Dexter first starts pursuing Judy he describes her as “beautiful and charming, but not all intelligent.” Dexter saying this foreshadows his and Judy's relationship's undoing. Dexter eventually realizes he isn't in love with Judy, he is in love with the idea of her. Fitzgerald also uses foreshadowing to highlight that even though Dexter is rich and successful, he is still not happy because he can not win over Judy. It states, “it was not a matter of her being worth it, but of his inability to reach her”(286). This foreshadows how through Dexter's pursuit of happiness he was never really able to get true

As Dexter's view of Judy changes, it changes and develops his character. Dexter saw Judy Jones for the first time when he was fourteen years old and caddying. Dexter sees Judy and never forgets the first time he saw her, “treated to that absurd smile--the memory of which at least a dozen men were to carry into middle age” (2). This is an important memory for Dexter because he never forgets that first smile when he saw Judy for the first time. When Dexter and Judy first start hanging out they go out to eat together. After they go eat dinner Dexter kisses Judy and he realizes she is what he wants, “he had wanted Judy Jones ever since he was a proud, desirous little boy” (5). Once Dexter sees how Judy really is he changes his opinion of her. When Dexter and Judy began hanging out more and more, Dexter became infatuated with her. Dexter asked to marry her multiple times but she always said “maybe someday”(5). Dexter began to realize that Judy might not be able to stay with a single guy permanently. This changes his opinion of her and he eventually finds someone else and gets