Winter Dreams Questions

**What effect do the seasons have on Dexter’s mood?**

Winter makes him melancholy, spring, dismal, fall, elated. 

**What do Dexter’s dreams suggest about his desires for the future?**

He dreams of being wealthy, admired golf or diving champion, suggest he is motivated to excel and stand out. 

**Why do you think Dexter is so captivated by Judy Jones?**

She is radiant, charming, and uniquely self confident and daring for her age.

**Why does Dexter quit his job?**

He does not want to be humiliated by caddying for a girl who is younger than he is.

**What does Judy’s behavior suggest about her character?**

She is selfish, rude, and self-absorbed.

**How do men feel about Judy?**

Judy’s appeal is not universal. Dexter remains silent because he does not want to reveal how attracted he is to Judy.

**In what way is Dexter not moving in a new direction?**

He has been intrigued by Judy, and for many years has sought the glamour she represents. 

**Why does Dexter lie about his hometown?**

Admitting to a middle class Black Bear Village would emphasize the social distance between himself and the wealthy lake residents. 

**What do you think Dexter means when he says that his career is a matter of futures?**

He doesn’t work in a family business or have family money, but he has a promising future that he is creating for himself. 

**What does the kiss symbolize for Dexter?**

The fulfillment of his winter dreams, the deepening, the deepening of his desire for Judy.

**Fitzgerald says that Judy goes directly after whatever she wants, but what exactly does she want?**

Love, respect, power, and romance.

**Does Judy’s character seem realistic to you?**

Yes, some people are indeed capricious, fickle, and intensive.  

**Have Dexter’s dreams changed? Explain why or why not.**

No, they have not. Even though Dexter has achieved material success and is no longer awed by the upper class, the actual fulfillment of his dream still lies with Judy.

**What moves Dexter to become engaged to Irene?**

* He is trying to forget Judy. 
* He is trying to make Judy jealous. 
* He knows Irene will be a suitable wife. 

**Is Judy a worthy object of Dexter’s idealism?**

Yes, because she is beautiful, aloof, and self-contained. 

**Did Dexter make the right decision? Why?**

Yes, because Dexter clinging to Judy would only bring him misery.

**Why is Judy pictured in gold?**

Represents Dexter’s dreams, the wealth he longed for, achieved and found wanting. It also symbolized Judy and the elusive glamour she represents. 

**Why does Dexter wonder if Judy knows about Irene?**

He wonders if Judy’s actions are motivated by jealousy of Irene.

**Why does Judy make a renewed play for Dexter?**

* She is jealous of irene.
* She wants to test her power over dexter.
* She really loves dexter.

**Why does Dexter accept Judy’s invitation?**

He is too much in love with her to refuse, he believes this is the sole chance to keep Judy, he can’t pass up a chance to fulfill this fantasy.

**Why does Dexter want to take a train to Detroit?**

He wants to save Judy from her husband. He wants to assess the situation for himself, he still has a fantasy of being with Judy. 

**How has Judy changed?**

Her character is completely transformed, as well as her looks.

**What brought about these changes in Judy? Are they believable?**

The changes could be a result of a disappointing marriage childbearing, or aging. Yes, people can change dramatically.

**What does the sunset represent?**

The sunset represents the death of Dexter’s dream. The pink represents Judy’s beauty, the gold, her glamour.