Frozen Dreams

As early action decisions start rolling out this month, many seniors will be either devastated or ecstatic.  It seems like this piece of paper, this letter of admissions, is the pivotal point in their lives. In other words, it's their Judy Jones.  This moment in their life is probably the most important up to this point, as they are constantly "unconsciously dictated by [their] winter dreams" (Fitzgerald 2).

Dexter starts out as the epitome of a self made man, one that rises from modesty to recognition and wealth.  However, Judy Jones comes in and- in part- ruins much of what he has worked for.  In other words, Judy comes to represent the materialism that was the demise for many of the wealthy during the Jazz Age.  Ultimately, Judy becomes "old news" and all the sacrifice Dexter made for her went to nothing.  The irony of the situation seems to parallel modern society with the rigorous college admissions process.  Many parents start preparing their children to become respected and educated students from a young age.  However, these efforts often go in vain as we as students tend to forget what we are really working for.  Judy/college comes into our lives, becoming our winter dream.  Yet contradictorily, these dreams freeze our conscious, rendering us from moving forward.  In the end, all dreams, all hope, cannot be focused on one goal or one object.  Because when that thing is gone, so is all the hope.  

don't let anything block your vision

Fitzgerald's warning against materialism and the demise of the once potent American Dream can even be seen today.  Similar to the way racism is still present (and how Lorraine Hansberry included the continuation of the problem in Raisin in the Sun), the problem of frozen dreams and blurred vision continues to deter talented students from the real goal.