Throughout life, many people display the extreme effect social class can play on one's personality. In Fitzgerald's "Winter Dreams," he emphasizes the complications of social status in the 1920's and the negative implications that come from the aggressive pursuit of the American Dream. Throughout Fitzgerald's work, he illustrates the accumulation of one's wealth causes one to lose sympathy for others through characterization, diction, and tone.
In "Winter Dreams," Fitzgerald emphasizes the negative effect of wealth on one's sympathy for others through the use of characterization. Early in the passage readers encounter the young Judy Jones in action of throwing her golf club violently to the ground. During this moment, Fitzgerald states, "Miss
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As a financially successful adult, Dexter often spends time with those of a similar nature; one being Mr. Hedrick. One afternoon while golfing, Judy Jones becomes the subject of conversation and the men exchange their opinions. In this instance, Fitzgerald states, "She always looks as if she wanted to be kissed! Turning these big cow-eyes on every calf in town!" In this statement, Fitzgerald uses the words "cow-eyes" and "calf" in order to show the disrespect Mr. Hedrick displays for Judy Jones. Fitzgerald specifically uses words referencing a cow to show how Mr. Hedrick, a man of high wealth and social status, objectifies women as being similar to a piece of meat. As a man of high wealth and social class, he feels superior to women and does not hesitate to make inhuman statements about Judy Jones. Being a member of the wealthy class in society, Fitzgerald characterizes Mr. Hedrick as misogynistic — a common characteristic of wealthy men during the early 1920s. Fitzgerald's use of diction in his piece of work helps to emphasize the immense disrespect for others that results from the accumulation of
However, Dexter faces reality when he is told Judy had gotten married. Dexter falls apart, realizing that his lifelong dream that he had given everything to achieve had been broken and
Dexter begins to fall for Judy even more and realizes how much she really means to him. Judy Jones wrapped many men around her fingers, especially because she was rich and could have almost anyone she wanted. “NEXT EVENING while he waited for her to come down-stairs, Dexter peopled the soft, deep summer room and the sun-porch that opened from it with the men who had already loved Judy Jones. He knew the sort of men they were--the men who, when he first went to college had entered from the great prep schools with graceful clothes and the deep tan of healthy summers. He had seen that, in one sense, he was better than these men.
He learns that Judy is married with children, but not happily. Her husband runs around all day as Judy stays at home with the children. Many readers find irony in the ending because no one would expect a girl like Judy to stay at home all day. Judy was the girl that always went out with the fanciest people and materials. Many would also agree that because Judy only cared for money, was cruel to Dexter, and her selfishness, lead her to this despairing
Rhetorical precis: The Great Gatsby Ch. 1 Scott F. Fitzgerald, an American author, in chapter one of his novel “The Great Gatsby” (published in 1925), claims that the rich Americans are using prestigiousness, wealth, and power to allude their unsightly truth. By using the Buchanans as an example, a wealthy, powerful, and socially solid old family, Fitzgerald reveals dishonesty of Daisy and Jordan, worst of all, a racist, dishonest, and adulterer Tom Buchanan. Fitzgerald's purpose is to discourage the practice of formulating a conclusion based on the superficial appearance in order to make his readers reconsider their views of America. He builds an intimate relationship with his audience of readers who are interested in his novels.
Through the early to mid 1900s, the concept of striving to attain more than one is originally born with became predominant in most American societies. During this era, many authors, through literature, began expressing their concern with the rise in materialistic ideals and its effect on society and the individuals living within it, one being F. Scott Fitzgerald. Two of Fitzgerald’s widely-known works of literature, The Great Gatsby and “Winter Dreams”, both heavily elaborate on the effects of the increase in materialism and the ultimate effects of attempting to achieve the American Dream; this is conveyed through the unhappiness of the Dexter and Gatsby despite their perseverance to acquire women of higher social statuses. These texts both reach the conclusion that the American Dream is not within reach of anyone. Fitzgerald’s representation of the unattainable American Dream is demonstrated in The Great Gatsby and “Winter Dreams” through his portrayal of the materialistic nature of society as well as the characters’ failure to possess the women they love.
The impact of socioeconomic status can be examined through a myriad of lenses. F. Scott Fitzgerald aims to show the relationship between socioeconomic status and power. Throughout The Great Gatsby, Tom’s character shows that socioeconomic status is equivalent to power within the novel. Tom puts great pride and emphasis on his socioeconomic status and wealth.
However, in “Winter Dreams”, F. Scott Fitzgerald utilizes diction, juxtaposition, defeated language, and symbolism to inform his readers that though many yearn for the benefits that the American dreams supposedly brings, the idealization of it is unrealistic. He also works to inform the readers that greed and obsession of material things will only lead to personal destruction, and most importantly, he best emphasizes the fact that wealth and success are not the epitome of personal
The characters put wealth, power, and desires over moral values and respect for themselves and others. Fitzgerald’s makes it obvious that he believes people should not substitute their values for a materialistic life. The characters’ desire to achieve the American dream outweighs moral convictions, resulting in scandalous and fatal actions. A critical perspective that is approached throughout the entire novel and is most helpful in understanding the theme is the Marxist criticism.
Fitzgerald expressed that social class defines a person and their personality. You can’t escape the social class you were born into, and you can’t fake it either. Your roots will always show through. The overall message Fitzgerald was trying to send to the reader is to accept your social status and don’t take it for granted. Someone will always be better than you, therefore accept what you have and be
Francis Scott Fitzgerald once stated, “The loneliest moment in someone’s life is when they are watching their whole world fall apart and all they can do is stare blankly.” Throughout his famous work, The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald portrayed the American Dream. Contrary to the ideology of the “Roaring Twenties” society, he described the American Dream as a delusion. People of the era focused on materialism in order to boost their wealth and status and forgot the importance of their relationships. Several characters within the novel sought to gain a higher status in society.
The impact of truth and morality by one’s social class How does one’s social class affect one’s honesty and morality? In the book, Fitzgerald makes commentary on various themes, such as the American dream and the passing of time and so on. Of the various themes being illustrate, none is more developed as the impact of social class on one’s moral identity. The book offers vivid peak into the everyday society in time period of the Jazz age. The idea of one’s morality due to one’s identity is being illustrated and explored in the book, as the author, Scott Fitzgerald suggests that honesty and morality are interconnected with one’s authority and social status.
Many years after first seeing Judy Jones, he sees her again. She was also playing golf. This is the point where he realizes how much he likes her. He finds her again and she asks him to drive her boat for her. After that, she invites him over for dinner.
In the novel The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald characterizes the 1920s as an era of decayed social and moral values. One of the major themes explored in this novel is the Hollowness of the Upper Class. The entire book revolves around money including power and little love. Coincidentally the three main characters of the novel belong to the upper class and throughout the novel Fitzgerald shows how this characters have become corrupted and have lost their morality due to excess money and success and this has led them to change their perspective towards other people and they have been portrayed as short-sighted to what is important in life. First of all, we have the main character of this novel, Gatsby who won’t stop at nothing to become rich overnight in illegal dealings with mobsters such as Wolfsheim in order to conquer Daisy’s heart.”
He considers money is capable of corrupting even the most innocent of people, who were living in peace and tranquility. Fitzgerald paints a picture of the greed that infects our world to this day. He addresses the problem with the rich which is still a relevant problem today. Fitzgerald represents the social elite as
Fitzgerald brings attention to the extravagant lives of the wealthy, the privilege they claim and the false sense of superiority they project. We are moved to assess the true nature of these characters. We acknowledge the duality of their characters; the part of themselves that are revealed to those around them and their true nature. The attempt