West APE
“Winter Dreams” Study Questions for AP
Directions: Please answer each of the following in complete sentences on separate paper. Do not use the
internet. Do not copy peers’ work. If you communicate with a classmate, in roder to discuss the questions,
or clarify some point, okay. If your answer and her answer end up being the same, you have cheated. That
makes you a cheater. And a liar.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
In the story, Judy Jones is not only a character but also a symbol. What does she symbolize?
Review the story and briefly explain what she represents in each of the following parts:
a. in Part I when Dexter is 14 and Judy is 11
b. In Part III at the dinner party / date
c. in Part VI, the end, when she is married to another man
Is the sentence from the start of Part II, “He wanted not association with glittering things and
glittering people—he wanted the glittering things themselves” negative characterization or
positive? Explain.
The story develops a motif concerning names. List 4 and, for each, brief explain the name’s
significance.
Explain a theme that this motif of names develops.
In Part IV is this sentence: “It was during those three days that, for the first time, he had asked
her to marry him. She said “maybe some day,” she said “I’d like to marry you,” she said “I love
you”—she said—nothing.” In what way are these things that she says to his question “nothing”?
What colors are associated with Judy? Name three and briefly explain what Fitzgerald might be
suggesting by associating that color with her.
What is the meaning of the story’s title? What, exactly, are Dexter’s winter dreams?
Reread the final three paragraphs of the story. Make a couple comments or insights about them.