F. Scott Fitzgerald
Motivation – refers to the reasons for a character’s behavior Inference – making an educated guess based on facts presented in the text and on your own life experiences Point of view – the vantage point from which the writer tells the story
The story begins at the end of the progressive era Laws were passed to protect public health and factory workers, to increase educational opportunities, to improve housing By the time the story ends, it is the Jazz Age—a time of rapid change in America
Popular sports Golf and tennis were popular among the wealthy Women began to participate in sports Jazz music flourished Machines entered homes and began affecting daily life Radio, vacuum cleaner, washing machine
Automobiles By 1929, the typical middle-class family had an automobile 23 million cars were on the road Some saw automobiles as one reason for the decline in morals Provided opportunities for young people to socialize away from the watchful eyes of chaperones
Flappers – young women who broke conventions Cut their hair short Wore form-fitting dresses Danced the Charleston Acted zany
Fitzgerald wrote this, as well as several other short stories, about the dreams and illusions that marked the Jazz Age Written in 1922 Seen as a “first draft” for his novel The Great Gatsby Both share the same theme There are significant differences, though
Story opens around 1911 Dexter is a fourteen-year-old boy who is caddying for wealthy golfers The story spans eighteen years of Dexter’s life Told from Dexter’s point of view He is a grown man looking back at his youth He realizes that his dreams have been shattered