Lara Vizon

Storer
English 3 Honors American Literature, Block 4
November 26, 2019
Socratic Circle Reflection
The inner circle talked about “Hills Like White Elephants.” In this inner circle, topics of
the girl’s decisions, the American’s change of mind, and if a decision was made at the end was
talked about. Someone mentioned that the girl’s choices were solely based on the choices on the
American. She was indecisive and could not chosen on her own. She kept asking whether he
would be happy or not. They brought out examples such as saying this indecisiveness and
wanting validation is seen even in the beginning of the story when she asks the American if the
drink if better with or without the water and she cannot choose on her own. Another issue they
brought up was whether or not a decision was made in the end. In the inner circle, the choices
were split. Many thought a decision was made and others thought it was not made. Some made
the point that it was made because she said, “I feel fine, there’s nothing wrong with me, I feel
fine” meaning she indeed feels fine and the situation at hand is taken care of. Others said what
she stated was actually the opposite of what she felt, and it was only a way to distance herself
from the problem than facing it and making the decision. This group did well on bringing
evidence to support their claims and gave a in depth and deeper meaning than what the text
stated. Many people spoke their opinion gave different perspectives on the text. For example, for
each question someone would have a counter perspective than everyone else which changes the
point of view of the group and make them consider the point that was just made in contrast on
their answer.
During this discussion I answered the question of whether or not a decision was made. I
made the point that what she said, “I feel fine, there’s nothing wrong with me, I feel fine” does
not actually mean that she is fine, because girls sometimes mean the opposite of what they are
saying, the girl does not actually feel fine. She is repressing the actual feelings she has and is
trying to convince herself that she will be okay, and everything will be fine. By her saying this,
she is also trying to convince the American that a choice was already made, he can just leave it,
and ask no further questions. When in reality a choice hasn’t been made. What I did well during
this discussion was bringing up a point that most people actually didn’t agree on and so it
brought a different perspective to the discussion. I also gave concrete details to back up my
claim. What I would like to improve for the next discussion is speaking more. I would want to
add more input for more topics and questions that might be asked. I would also reference and add
more concrete details than I did for this socratic seminar. I would add more quotes directly from
the passage rather than summarizing and interpreting what it means.
Thesis statement about “Winter Dreams”: The status of wealth can only go so far because
it can bring loneliness and being too prideful.
Throughout this essay some points I would make would be about the journey Dexter went
through to get to the position he is in. To mention the topic of loneliness I would reference and
quote the relationship he had with Judy. That relationship evolved through him wanting her and
accepting her though she always left him. This can show how at the end when she didn’t the
wealth and looks, she used to, Dexter immediately had this regret and sadness come upon him
and rethink what he could gave. Although he is successful more than he could imagine and has
his own family, he is still lonely from thinking about his younger days and if only he took Judy
beforehand. To talk about being too prideful I would bring up how he forgot his humble
beginnings. During golf when he played with the higher businessmen, he looked at the caddies to
find some part of him. Upon searching, he couldn’t find anything. He lost his purpose and forgot
where he came from. Throughout the story it is seen that Dexter is looking for that luxury and is
constantly trying to impress Judy with his money. For example, that one instance where Judy
asked what was his social standing and he said he was the richest man.
Part of this relates to the movie La La Land. In the movie two of the main characters are
looking and trying to achieve this dream of theirs and obtain that luxury just like Winter Dreams.
One of the main characters, Mia, is trying to become an actor and Sebastian is trying to open his
own jazz bar and keep jazz alive. Although they both achieve their dreams and become
successful, they break away from each other for years. Mia started a family and became a well
known actor, while Sebastian opened the bar he wanted to and kept jazz alive in his own eyes.
However, one day they meet once again because Mia ends up in Sebastian’s bar with her
husband. Their eyes meet and he starts playing their song and Mia is just sitting there imagining
what her life would be if only she ended up with him. As seen in Winter Dreams, Dexter did the
same thing. He heard about Judy and her life, although it went upside down, he still thought
about what could have been with the both of them and their future. He imagined what everything
would have been if only they ended up together. He has a stable life with the luxury he wanted
and a family, but he still wanted her. Mia had everything; the dream and goal she wanted to
achieve and a family; yet once she saw Sebastian, she still imagined the life she could have had
with him. Just like in both stories, they shed a tear, but walked away.