600-850 Word Essay

Chad A. Hardesty

Jill Fiore

ENGL 200

March 16, 2014

Dear Fiore:

In reading and studying the story of how “Love” can make someone happy or dejected, I was contented that I have chosen the right article made by Fitzgerald entitled “Winter Dreams”. I was expecting something interesting and worthy of reading because as we all know, “Love” will always be an all-time favorite topic in every lifestyles. While writing down this essay, I have come to conclusion that we can either be very wise in falling in love if not downright stupid and reckless. In addition, I have come to think that love can sometimes be weak, as it, changes over time, making what seems to be beautiful to you today, might become ugly and dreadful tomorrow. I was captivated with the story, and marveled at the simplicity of the way Fitzgerald made the story roll. As I read the story, it made me think of my current situation in life, and I can easily relate to it, not because I feel like Dexter myself, but of the ridiculous idea that when we sometimes fall in love, we tend to forget to make a “rain check” of what is right or wrong. I was also intrigued of the title itself. I was asking myself why the author used the term “winter,” and not any other type of weather. As I read on, I then understood that the weather was a representation of Dexter himself, how he changed, just like the weather. It was not difficult to understand, because like I said before the story and its plot was quite simple and easy to understand.

Although, the whole story in summary was really great and easy for me, the difficulty sometimes encountered with the understanding of the story. It was Fitzgerald’s use of some lines like "Often he reached out for the best without knowing why he wanted it - and sometimes he ran up against the mysterious denials and prohibitions in which life indulges” and “"...Dexter was unconsciously dictated to by his winter dreams". Somehow, the lines where really deep and meaningful and that is what made me think and spend more interest in reading it.

My essay then about Winter Dream is simple, and I think I will need more practice with my writing abilities, as important as it is to learn all the basics about it. Nevertheless, I think, what is at least I am proud of in this essay is that I made it myself and I tried my best to work on it. Even if it lacks more details and comments about the essay itself, and I know with further practice in the class I will be able to improve.

I would like to expect some corrections, and of course a constructive criticism from my respective professor, because it will help me develop my sense of good writing, and will also help me if I will receive proper guidance as to how I can improve myself.

Sincerely,

Chad Hardesty

Chad A. Hardesty

Jill Fiore

ENGL 200

March 16, 2014

Winter Love

So what is "Love?" When I started reading the story of author F. Scott Fitzgerald's "Winter Dreams", I was stricken hard with the hardness of the truth that comes coyly with it. But before I went to that part of my essay, I will first review the technical part of the story, and make or write my own observation about it first.

For the plot of the story, I am amazed on how simple the story was. The setting fits perfectly to the characters. The simplicity is what made it more attractive, since along with it comes the reality that almost everybody experience in life. Although it is a fiction, it is in fact a good depiction of what is happening to us. Some people are blinded by things that are unimportant. They forget that good things can also come in small ways, or even unexpected ways, and there would be times when we will be overwhelmed by something we forget to make a rain check first. That is what happened when Dexter, although the story hinted that he already knew what kind of a woman Judy was, still fell "head over heels" to the woman. He disregard Irene, who for the sad part of the story was a good person compared to Judy. In this story, it is clearly stressed that regret will always be in the end.

My expectation before I read the story was nothing heavy that is why the story hit me so hard. The title "Winter Dream" does not signal anything much except that I was expecting something about the weather. But after reading the story, I was touched and amazed at the same time. Fitzgerald was successful with depicting real life. To be honest, another reason was why I was greatly affected by the story was because I tried picturing myself as Dexter. There would be some times where I am blinded by what is important and what is unnecessary. I decide fast, without thinking much, choosing the wrong person or decision and then regretting that I have not chosen otherwise. In the end, when Dexter said that his “winter dream” was gone forever, I knew and felt what he felt. The story made me regret, and made me think of the times when I did something unintelligent.

It made me cautious, for at the beginning it was showed how much Dexter a dreamer was. Although generally speaking, dreaming is not bad. It keeps the fire to struggle and persevere in life, and also as an inspiration. But when we forget to be contented, or we tend to dream of something unrealistic, it’s hard to wake up. The wake-up call for Dexter in this story was Judy herself, whose love was never his. He only got his attention not because she loved her truly, but because she was seeing something good to use in him. I don’t want to end up like Dexter, whose blinded and unrealistic love interest with Judy was too emphasized he even ignore the call of true happiness with Irene. In the end, I learned to look not just for beauty or wealth but also to the importance of real and unconditional love. Sometimes, it’s not just about materials and fame in this world.

Works Cited

Fitzgerald, F.S. “Winter Dream”. Retrieved on March 10, 2014 at Faulkner, William. “The Bear.” Three Famous Short Novels: Spotted Horses, Old Man, The Bear. New York: Vintage, 1958. Print.