Winter Dreams

Weber 1

Sara Weber

Mr. Archer

English 4

28 May 2003

Fitzgerald Essay- Prompt 5

Money may be able to buy ones happiness but not necessarily satisfaction in life. Fitzgerald's characters in “Winter Dreams” and Great Gatsby had money, but not satisfaction throughout their life. One can have satisfying materials, do satisfying things, and obtain satisfying qualities. Characters in “Winter Dreams” and

Three of the most satisfying materials that a person could own is a home, money, and a car. At least one of these items is essential for a person no matter where they live. The home is the most satisfying material that a person could own. A home is a place that one can go to rest, eat, and just live. A home provides memories and a place for a family to grow. A home satisfies people with protection, an investment, security, safety, and privacy. The home is definitely a key item of satisfying materials. Another satisfying material that a person could own is money. Money is something that is very important to possess. Owning money can satisfy a person’s hunger, shelter, and just everything it takes for that person to live. A person would not be satisfied if they did not own any money. They would be depressed and have to live on the streets. Money alone cannot satisfy a person on a whole but it brings together the whole term of satisfaction. The last item that is satisfying is a car. A car is something that can satisfy ones need to get around. It is important to use to get to work, school, and places to far to venture on foot. A car is a machine with great power and can also satisfy one with air conditioning on a hot day. It can satisfy a person with ride to ones favorite place such as the beach. A home, money, and a car are all materials that a person can own to satisfy them.

Not only can materials satisfy a person but so can activities such as sports, relaxing, and sleeping. Playing sports can satisfy a persons body and mind. Participating in sports keeps one in shape satisfying their heart and health. Also it can satisfy a persons stress level by focusing on the activity. Sometimes not playing sports but just relaxing can be satisfying. Relaxing and not working can give a person time to think, breathe, and their body to recuperate. Relaxing is a very satisfying activity. Another activity that is satisfying is sleeping. Curling up under the covers, closing ones eyes, and just clearing the mind is something very a satisfying that a person can easily do. Sleeping is essential for a person to be satisfied.

A person can posses qualities that make them feel satisfied. Honesty, loving, and an optimistic personality are qualities that can make one feel very satisfied. Being honest about oneself and about what one does can make them feel proud of what they are in the end. Being honest can satisfy ones need to see what kind of person that you really are and shows that one is not afraid of what they are. Being loving is very satisfying. Giving off love will give love back in return. Love is an extremely satisfying quality in many ways. Giving love will satisfy a person mentally and physically. Love is just very satisfying. Having an optimistic personality can be very satisfying. If one looks on the positive side of things they won’t miss out on the important things in life and dwell on the good things. Being optimistic can satisfy a person so much. Honesty, loving, and having an optimistic personality are three qualities a person can posses that will make them very satisfied.

Providing all of the things above that can be satisfying Nick, Gatsby, and Dexter are three characters from Great Gatsby and “Winter Dreams”, that would have an opinion on them. Nick probably wouldn’t agree that being optimistic and having money is satisfy but being caring is more satisfying. A drawback to the seemingly limitless excess Nick sees in the Buchanans, for instance, is a throwaway mentality extending past material goods. Nick, on the Buchanans: "They were careless people, Tom and Daisy -- they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made". He would agree that honesty is satisfying because he is satisfied with his own honesty. Nick, on himself: "Everyone suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known".

Gatsby is a firm believer in the American Dream of self-made success.