F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote a short story titled “Winter Dreams”. This story tells of a boy named Dexter who is a middle class citizen. Dexter works as a golf caddy for wealthy people, and one day at work he meet a girl by the name of Judy Jones. Judy was a very wealthy lady who seemed to be living the American Dream. Upon meeting Judy, Dexter impulsively makes the decision that he no longer wants to be a caddy. Instead he wants to quit in pursuit of achieving the american dream of being a very wealthy person. When the wealthy golf players find out about Dexter wanting to quit they tried to stop him saying that he was too good of a caddy to quit his job for a dream. Dexter later started his own laundry business working towards his “winter dream”. Even though it was not the most spectacular job, it brought Dexter very much wealth. Later on, Dexter runs in to Judy while they were both on boats on the lake. They begin talking and Judy told Dexter that she wants him to come with her to dinner, and he gladly accepts the invitation. Once they get to dinner, Judy explains that she is very. Judy is upset because she thinks the man she is in love with is not as wealthy as she is, and she thinks this is a problem. Dexter reassures her that it is alright if the man she loves is not as wealthy as she is, she should love him for who he is and not for how much money he has. Judy the kisses Dexter and after this happens, Dexter thinks about how he has been wishing for that exact moment to happen since he was a young boy, when he saw her playing golf. When Judy kissed him, although he fell in love with her, he realized that his whole life he had been hoping for this moment. He had been thinking that once he had Judy and he was in love, that then he would be truly happy and he would not need to be wealthy because he would always happy as long he had Judy. This shows us that a major theme in the story could be that the “American Dream” may not necessarily make you happy. Even though you work hard to attain your “American Dream” does not mean that you are guaranteed a happy life. It also shows us that there are many different versions of what the American Dream is. It is individualized and based on what people feel is important in their lives. One person’s American Dream may be having enough wealth to provide necessities for their family. Another person may have the dream of having enough wealth to travel to different countries in first class style. There is not a universal description of the American Dream. There is the popular belief that once the American Dream is attained you will be extremely happy in life. Many people associate being wealthy with being happy. Unfortunately, many people also discover a lifetime of working hard to attain their desired wealth does not guarantee happiness. There is a balance between working hard to live comfortably and enjoy life with minimal restrictions on your finances. Many people are willing to give up enjoying life and hoard money so that they can find happiness in chasing their American Dream. Unfortunately, some of these people find too late that they have not enjoyed living and have wealth but no happiness. The American dream should not necessarily be about being the wealthiest person, but it should be more about what makes you the happiest in your own life.