由《嘉莉妹妹》引起的对美国梦的思考

本科生毕业论文
题目：由《嘉莉妹妹》引起的对美国梦的思考
年级：2010级
专业：英语
学号： 20100002120
姓名：周毛花
指导教师：姚欲昕
2014年5月7日
An ANALYSIS OF THE AMERICAN DREAM FROM SISTER CARRIE ________________________________________
A Bachelor’s Thesis
Presented to
The Department of Foreign Languages
Modern College of Northwest University
Xi’an, China
_________________________________________
In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the
Bachelor of Arts Degree
_________________________________________
By
Zhou Maohua
诚信声明
本人郑重声明：本人所呈交的毕业论文（设计）是在导师的指导下独立进行研究所取得的成果。

毕业论文（设计）中凡引用他人已经发表或未发表的成果、数据、观点等，均已明确注明出处。

除文中已经注明引用的内容外，不包含任何其他个人或集体已经发表或在网上发表的论文。

特此声明。

论文作者签名：
日期：2014年5月7日
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to express my gratitude to all those who helped me during the writing of this thesis. A special acknowledgement should be shown to Miss Hua and professor Yao from whose lectures I benefited greatly. I am particularly indebted to Miss Hua and Professor Yao who gave me kind encouragement and useful instructions all through my writing. Finally I wish to extend my thanks to the library assistants who supplied me with reference materials of great value.
ABSTRACT
American dream refers to equality, freedom, and democracy. At the same time, it is a life ambition that as long as we work hard,we can get a better life and a success in America. American dream has been debated for a long time. Some people say it focuses on personality and money, especially personal struggle and success while other people hold the view that American dream is a civilized mode of individual equality and freedom.
This article discusses the symbolic meaning of American dream. Firstly, it begins with the personality of Carrie from Carrie, and compare the characteristics of American dream with Chinese dream. The positive role of American dream has been discussed in this paper as well. Both of American dream and Chinese dream are beliefs that encouraging people trying their best for dreams. American dream emphasizing on the individual interests, while Chinese dream stressing on collectivism. This article deals with the similarity and enlightenment of these two dreams.
Keywords: American dream; Chinese dream; Individualism; Collectivism; Symbolism
摘要
所谓美国梦，广义上指美国的平等，自由，民主。

狭义上指一种相信只要在美国经过不懈的奋斗便能获得更好生活的理想。

一直以来美国梦备受争议，有人说美国梦强调个人和金钱，突出个人奋斗和成功。

也有人说它是一种典范的追求个人最大自由和最平等机会的文明模式。

本文就美国梦的现实意义，从象征主义理论出发，以解析《嘉莉妹妹》中嘉莉的人生历程和性格特点为基础，结合实际，着重论述了美国梦对嘉莉的人生追求的积极作用，并针对作品中其他人物的不同命运作了探讨。

通过对比与实证的研究方法对美国梦和中国梦的异同进行了分析和评价。

美国梦是一种促使个人不断努力奋斗的精神支撑；中国梦作为一种理想信念，更多的以集体主义为原则，以实现人民的理想为核心。

美国梦和中国梦作为一种信念鼓励和支持人们为自己的梦想奋斗，以此来获得美好的生活。

关键词：美国梦中国梦个人主义集体主义象征主义理论
TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................ i i ABSTRACT IN ENGLISH (iii)
ABSTRACT IN CHINESE (iv)
TABLE OF CONTENTS (v)
CHAPTER I
Introdcution
1.1 Definition of American dream (1)
1.2 Writing background of Sister Carrie (2)
CHAPTER II
Origin and Function of American Dream
2.1 Origin of American dream (5)
2.2 Function of American dream (5)
CHAPTER III
American Dream in the Sister Carrie
3.1 Personality of Carrie (7)
3.2 Dream of Carrie (7)
3.2.1 Dream of Carrie before she left home (7)
3.2.2 Dream of Carrie after she arrived at Chicago (8)
3.3 Personalities of Hurstwood and Drouet (10)
CHAPTER IV
Think about Chinese Dream from American Dream
4.1 Origin of Chinese dream (12)
4.2 Similar aspects between American dream and Chinese dream (12)
4.3 Enlightenment of American dream (14)
CHAPTER V
Conclusion (16)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
I. Works in English (18)
II. Works in Chinese (18)
CHAPTER I
Introduction
1.1 Definition of American dream
American dream refers to a real belief that anyone can succeed as long as you are strong industrious, and clever. No matter what is your birth and gender. In fact, it means everyone should depend on oneself. God helps those who help themselves. Although up till now, there is no exact definition to explain the American dream, we can still find something connected to its meaning.
Firstly, looking into the origin of the term American dream. It made in American: Self-styled Success from Horatio to Oprah Winfrey, Jeffrey Louis Decker writes of the origin of American dream. He said that the term was not put into print until 1931, when middle-brow historian James Truslow Adams coined and used it throughout pages of a book titled The Epic of America. Adames held that the American dream refers to that dream of land in which life should be better, richer and for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. Thomas Wolfe said that to everyman, regardless of his birth, his shining, golden opportunity. The right to live, to work, to be himself, and to become whatever thing his manhood and his vision can combine to make him.
Some definitions from several authoritative dictionaries are as follow: Wikipedia, American dream is a idea held by many people in the United States of America that through hard working, courage and determination, one can achieve prosperity. Those were values held by many early European settlers, and have been passed on to subsequent generations. In a word, American dream is a kind of value, a belief and a social standard that people traditionally try to achieve in the US, such as democracy, equal rights and wealth.
From these definitions, it draws a conclusion that American dream is regarded as a very important belief of self-fulfillment. It explains the reason why being rich in material is what one most likely first thinks of when it comes to the topic of American dream. Then high moral standards is a necessary reason to achieve material success.
In general, American dream can be defined as being the opportunity and freedom for all citizens to achieve their goals.
1.2 Writing background of Sister Carrie
Theodore Dreiser is a very excellent novelist from low class. He likes to study reality life. His writing works are related to people life. In 1887, he arrived at Chicago first time .Although he worked at restaurants and hardware store. He was attracted by the big city life full of happiness. In 1889, he studied at Indiana University with a friendly teacher help. But he left the college helplessly and then he worked as a collector .Gradually he realized all kinds of people and sinning part of low class. So he accumulated many writing materials. The same time, his life endowed his writing tragedy and Naturalism. In1895, he lived at New York and began to devote to writing and edit magazine. He often ventured repeatedly from Chicago to Pittsburgh and Saint Louis. He saw alcohol abuse, pornographic, murder, cheating. It made him realize American reality was a cruel unfair fact. In 1900, Theodore published his first long novel Sister Carrie. He criticized the sin of the Capitalist society. He said that there was no way by honest labor, only by betraying the soul, can people get wealth and social place. At Theodore Dreiser living days, it was the time of transformation from countryside to city. Although people were thirsty for American dream, at that time people were only concerned with economic place and benefits. They did not care about the traditional moral, so American dream became more and more secular.
Sister Carrie is the first novel of American writer, Theodore Dreiser, and one of the most famous work in American literature history. This story happens in the 19th century at Chicago and New York. Carrie was born in a village near Chicago. Her family was poor,but she looked forward to city’s rich life. However, when she arrived at Chicago, she became one of those people losing their jobs, and then she fell into poverty and illness. At that time, she was conscious of difference between richness and poorness. The rich enjoy red lanterns and green wine,while the poor worry about food and clothing. She was aware that it is impossible to get a better life by herself working hard. So she became lover of Drouet and Hurstwood. Later she turned into a famous actress in New York. Gradually she found rich life is not fascinating and
interesting, on the contrary, she was very anxious. Besides, Theodore Dreiser also mainly described Hurstwood. He gained a wide reputation. He lived a abundant life in material, while he was on the beach in spiritual life. He almost did not communicate with his wife and children. There was no love between Hurstwood and his families. When he met Carrie, he felt snappy and energetic, so he fell into love with Carrie. Love made him so crazy that he took vast sums away. After that he cheated Carrie and eloped with her. Later he lost his job and became insolvent. Carrie departed from him. Finally, he took his own life in a cold winter. Theodore Dreiser applies a lot of symbolism in Sister Carrie to show leading character’s desire and despair, initiative and passiveness. In addition, symbolism makes working theme much more clear and represents different people’s different ideas, characters and social status.
In this novel, it mentioned rocking chair many times. We can find the rocking chair everywhere which main characters lived in. Main characters often sat in the chair under some specific environment. Every time Carrie sat in chair when some great matters happened. It mentioned the rocking chair for the first time when Carrie arrived at her sister’s home at Chicago. She sat in chair when she wrote to Drouet. She told Drouet that he need not look for her, because her sister’s home was vary shabby. She felt shameful. It is the first time that she was disappointed when she saw big city but she was still full of hope. She sat in chair dreaming about life’s changes. She told herself that she was so young that all would be better. The chair symbolized her life began to turn when she got pay from first time. There were several rocking chairs when she lived with Drouet. She wished herself good luck. Carrie fulfilled her dream to be a super star at the end of novel. She succeeded and won reputation, wealth. But she still had no feeling of happiness. In fact, Hurstwood and Drouet were on behalf of the biggest success for Carrie. She was sorrow and fancy after she obtained what she dreamed. Rocking chair symbolized changes of Carrie’s dreams and meaned she would always immersed in dreams which maybe never come true.
Newspaper symbolized outdated news and things happened before. People who read papers never dream about future and expect to rise to upper class. In the 20th chapter of novel, Hurstwood read newspapers which symbolized past and helplessness for future. It showed that
Hurstwood could only see past rather than future.
Clothing is also very important in novel. Theodore Dreiser expressed different characters’different social status by their dressing. Carrie knew Drouet was rich and at upper class because Drouet was dressy. Clothing is the symbol of social status for Carrie.
Mirror is the symbol of self-complacence. Carrie was delighted when she saw herself dressing new clothes in the mirror. In the 8th chapter, she realized she was young and beautiful in front of mirror. In addition, mirror was also regarded as imitating way. Carrie imitated others elegant standing posture by mirror. We can see mirror is a symbol of vanity.
Theodore Dreiser makes characters’ personalities more vivid and expressive by symbolism. Readers get different artistic imagine and aesthetic enjoyment by symbolism.
CHAPTER II
Origin and Function of American Dream
2.1 Origin of American dream
American dream began at 17th century, England immigration got on the boat of May Flower with freedom and wealth. They arrived at American land without person. Among the England immigration, most were puritans. They asserted freedom of religion and equality, saying that dream could realize by working hard. At 1863, American president Lincoln carried out emancipation proclamation. It was the support of spirit and material of American dream. At1937, Adams finished his famous work American epic. Its theme was that let all of the citizens live a better, more rich and happier life. It was the first time to refer to the American dream.
In the 19th century, American dream’s connotation had continuously changed along with American’s independence and its land growth. After this, although America experienced two world war and Great Depreessio, American dream’s basic elements did not change all along. Americans still regard it as a popular belief. Modern American Dream develops a idea: people must march toward prosperity by themselves diligence, courage and originality, rather than others help. Of course, its soul is always that everyone is equal and equal opportunity for all. 2.2 Function of American dream
At that time, American was at the world economic crisis. American dream of Adams encouraged many people to struggle. Roosevelt and Reagan were regarded as the great presidents of America in the 20th century. They were also represented American dream. Roosevelt led America to get the success of the Second World War. It helped the America walk out of the economic depression. Reagan was from a abject birth, he joined in presidential campaign for three times. Finally he was elected at 69. He was thought as the perfect example of American dream. The black minister Martin Luther King made a speech I have a dream. In the 20th century, as the information times coming, Bill Gates of Microsoft, Jobs of Apple and so on, they become the new idols of American dream by themselves wisdom.
We can see that American dream is the most enduring shaping influence in formation and
development of America. It is indispensable in America. It helps America overcome the crisis of country and be strong in the world. It makes Americans live happily and work with courage.
America is provided with 200 years history, however, it shows to world how to rise to great powers. American dream is very essential factor. It possesses two characteristics. Firstly, it emphasizes success inevitability and attempts importance. American dream concludes two main elements. One is equal opportunity, the other is personal talent and endeavor instead of extraction and background. American dream offers people enough space to make them have courage to dream about future. There are many American dream’s excellent representatives just because they have courage to believe they can succeed. Their common point is that are low-born, however, they create great career by industriousness. So American dream pays attention to necessity of success, in the meantime, it does not ignore importance of personal hardworking.
Secondly, it is not only popular with Americans but also people all over the world. American dream leads Americans how to be successful. That encourages people in the world believe that they can also succeed. A lot of immigrants flow over into America and get success. American present president, Obama, proves a African-American can be elected president with his firsthand experience.
CHAPTER III
American Dream in the Sister Carrie
3.1 Personality of Carrie
Like everyone going to big city to struggle for the better life, Sister Carrie was full of fantasy when she took on the train going to Chicago. She missed her families and hometown. After all, she was born in and grew up at Columbia city. When the train would arrive at Chicago, she felt afraid and anxious. Suddenly, she realized that she was alone, away from home. When she got down the train and met her sister, she was much lonely. All these suggest that Sister Carrie was timid and without self-confidence. But she had a strong aspiration that she would change herself destiny by working hard. At that moment, Sister Carrie was completely believed she can get what she want as long as she work hard.
But reality was cruel. Carrie experienced hardships to search for a job, anxiety to overcome illness, and suffering to lose job. To survive, she became sweetheart of Drouet who she met on the train. Although, Drouet made Carrie need not worry about clothing and food, she was on intimate terms with Hurstwood who had been married. Carie left Hurstwood when she was eager for luxurious life. She turned to super star at Broadway relying on her outstanding beauty and performing talent. She achieved success and won recognition obtaining her dream when she recently arrived at Chicago. Her spiritual world was still vacuous, though she enjoyed wealth, fresh and stimulating life. Her personality and destiny were determined by her inner American dream.
3.2 Dream of Carrie
3.2.1 Dream of Carrie before she left home
Before she went to Chicago, she dreamed she would change her destiny by herself working hard. She expected to enjoy the life pleasures, for example, being rich in materials, meeting with future lover. She had courage to leave her hometown for a strange city. She was confident in herself that she could succeed. She had a nice dream that she could be successful and never be poor and ugly as before.
At that moment, Carrie was pure in mind. She dreamed naively and believed she could live a better life. She did not realized society’s complexity and life’s hardships. She just liked as a free bird to search for food and experience fresh world. She was beautiful but timid, young and ignorant. She did not satisfied with tedious and stereotyped life, so she was full of fantasy for he future. She was reluctant to leave her hometown, however, city’s lure attracted her to ask for help from her sister by train. Her action shows her inner impulse.
3.2.2 Dream of Carrie after she arrived at Chicago
To Carrie, it was so fascinating that busy streets. Carrie walked bravely to find an employment. She had never done this before so she lacked courage. Whenever she see buildings, she wanted to go into find a job. But she felt too nervous and shameful to walk into the buildings. She was eager to be employed by one company. She constantly went into structures. When she had gotten safely into the street, she could scarcely restrain the tears. It was not so much the particular refuse she had just experienced, but bad luck of the whole day . She was tired and anxious. She abandoned the thought of appealing to the other store.
She felt her own helpless. She cast about vainly for some possible place to apply, but found no door which she had the courage to enter. It could be the same thing all over. She was sick at heart and in body. She walked deliberately through the door of a large wholesale shoe house. It left her revived by the possibilities, sure that she had found something at last. Instantly the blood crept warmly over her body. Her nervous tension relaxed. She walked out into the busy street and discovered a new atmosphere. She would live in Chicago, her mind kept saying to itself. She would have a better time than she had ever had before. She would be happy. Finally she found a job punching eye-holes in pieces of the upper, by the aid of the machine. All the day she thought of the city of outside and its imposing show, crowds, and fine buildings. As for Carrie, her understanding of moral significance of money was the popular understanding nothing more.
Chicago was great, mysterious city for her. What she had seen only suggested it possibilities. In a word, Carrie hope to ask for something to do and she could do to change her destiny. Her imagination trod a very narrow round, always winding up at points which concerned
money, looks, clothes, or enjoyment. She was not satisfied with her, and not in a sense common. She had more imagination than other common people. She told herself that she was not going to be a common girl. Her woman heart was warm with desire for clothes and the remarkable displays of trinkets, and jewelry.
We can think that how American dream is reflected during the Carrie life. Before she went to Chicago, she dreamed she would change her destiny by herself working hard. She expected to enjoy the life pleasures, for example, being rich in materials, meeting with future lover. She had courage to leave her hometown for a strange city. She was confident in herself that she could succeed. After she was in Chicago, she tried her best to find a job. Although she felt self-contemptuous, anxious, and afraid, she did not give up. Finally, she found a job being a hemmer. It made her see sunlight again. The circumstance was terrible, however, Sister Carrie was astonishingly persistent. Like all human beings, she had a touch of vanity. She felt that she could do things if she only had a chance. She believed that she could act and she had talent in acting. Even without practice, she could sometimes restore dramatic situations she had witnessed by re-creating, before her mirror, the expressions of the various faces taking part in the scene. She loved to modulate her voice after the conventional manner of the distressed heroine, and repeated such pathetic fragments as appealed most to her sympathies. By chance, Carrie played a role in a performance.
After a few years, she took on dramatic performance. She began to read the newspaper notices, not only of the opera in which she had so small a part, but of others. Gradually, the desire for notice took hold of her. She longed to be known. Carrie gradually realized the meaning of the applause which was for her, and it was sweet. Carrie was a idealistic, industrious, and sympathetic. She tried her best to fulfill her dream. When she succeeded, she did not haughty. She still kept struggling.
Many people think that Carrie was greedy for money and other luxurious things by immoral ways. She looked forward to get rid of poverty, so she endeavored to get a job. She persisted to make money. Unfortunately, she was ill. Later she lost the job. When she felt desperate and confused, she met the man Drouet who Sister Carrie ran into. Sister Carrie knew
that Drouet was rich and attractive. He could help Sister Carrie walk out of the poverty and helpless. So she was together with Drouet. She always reflected of herself that whether she was right. It was a forceful illustration that Carrie was kind hearted and virtuous. She knew she was wrong to get together with Drouet but at that time she had no other choices but got help from Drouet.
Sorrow in her was aroused by many a spectacle-an uncritical upwelling of grief for the weak and the helpless. She was constantly pained by the sight of the white-faced, ragged men who slopped desperately by her window evenings, hurrying home from some of the shops of the west side, she pitied from the depths of her heart. She would stand and bite her lips as they passed, shaking her little head and wondering. They had so little, she thought. It was so sad to be ragged and poor. The hang of faded clothes pained her eyes. It is obvious that Carrie was a compassionate person. She once was poor so she completely knew how painful those poor were. She saw them and she would think how she was lucky because she was no longer poor. She could do what she would like to do. She could bought clothes she would like to wear. She could visit places where she would like to visit. So she did not want to lose all she had owned. But if she said goodbye with Drouet, she would lost all she enjoyed.
Carrie should be understood. It was impossible that she stayed in the city by herself effort. Because if Sister Carrie did not betrayed her soul and body, she could not overcame the social rule we can not see. The social rule is that there is no real love and trust between the husband and wife, friends. People can only see money and interests. To Carrie, she was only one of those who were ruined by the social rules.
So we should consider social responsibility rather than criticize Carrie. In the end of 18th century, the discovery of gold of California made people greedy for money. Almost everyone wished that he could be rich enough within a night. No wonder Carrie could not help aspiring to be rich and famous, Drouet and hurstwood were also the victims of the society.
3.3 Personalities of Hurstwood and Drouet
Hurstwood was one figure in the novel. He once had a rich life glorious social status in the Chicago. He did not cherish what he had owned. Later he became poor and jobless. He could
neither accept this fact nor adapt to the new environment. Finally, Hurstwood ended his life. We can think that why did Hurstwood can not get on in New York. There was no desire for dream. He met difficulties of adaptation to the new environment, but he did not try his best to struggle for the destiny. He gave up the opportunities to survive.
Drouet was another figure in the novel. He did not have big ambition. He was satisfied with what he had had. He even lured women with his money and handsome outlook. So he was always living a peaceful life, neither rich nor poor.
CHAPTER IV
Think about Chinese Dream from American Dream
4.1 Origin of Chinese dream.
In the different times, Chinese dream may has different meanings. However, the Chinese dream has an essential meaning that keeping our motherland prosperous and the people happy.
Before the new democratic revolution, Lin Zexu said that open your eyes to look at the world. Wei Yuan said learn from foreign countries and defeat them. Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao led the Wu Xu revolution. Sun ZhongShan led the XinHai revolution. All of these people had a dream to make our country strong. Although at that time our technology and weapons of war to fight the enemy were out of date. Our people were indomitable. They believed that we must become conscious to learn advanced technology prosperous country. We were falling behind, but we were not given up. From the Great Revolution of China to Agrarian Revolution, from anti-Japanese war to China war of Liberation and then the foundation of new China, every Chinese had a dream to make country prosperous and people happy.
Now we live a peaceful life, so we aspire to ourselves dreams. Every dream reflects the Chinese dream. Our chairman Xi Jingping dreams that China have the right to speak in the international world and people live happily in spirit and material. Teachers hope to cultivate their students how to be real person. Workers hope to produce qualified products for consumers. Farmers hope to produce grain to guarantee people malnutrition. In a word, everyone has dream. If all of us realize our dreams, the Chinese dream is also come true. We do not care those unreasonable policies. We are only concerned with what are benefit for country and people.
4.2 Similar aspects between American dream and Chinese dream
Both Chinese dream and American dream are a kind of belief that to do one thing successfully, we must work hard. In fact, it means that everyone should be determined to do what he wants to. Dream is of great significance in country development. Although American dream and Chinese dream are different, we can learn something positive from American dream to promote our Chinese dream. Firstly, we should respect personal dream and ambition. Chinese
dream contains national dream and personal dream. Only we realize personal dreams, can we make country dream be true. Secondly, we should unite. American dream emphasized personal importance and teamwork. In this aspect, America does better than China. Thirdly, we should obey the Chinese development rule.
On March 17, 2013, chairman Xi Jinping mentioned Chinese dream for nine times at the closing ceremony of the 12th National People’s Congress. Since then, Chinese dream has been widely discussed in China. In fact, it is almost at the same time, American president, Obama who was elected as American president again gave a speech in Chicago. He said that everyone has a belief to search for happiness, in other words, the belief is American dream.
America is an immigrant country with a short history. It has been heaven to pursue freedom, democracy for immigrants when Europe countries was under the feudal rule. On July4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence drafted by Thomas Jefferson. It solemnly declared that all men are born equal, and creator gave people inalienable right, for example, right to life, liberty, and happiness. There is no doubt that the Declaration of Independence was foundation of American dream. Thus it can be seen, American dream and Chinese dream have their own characteristics. Just as two nations are various in history tradition and social culture. Their dreams have their own historical origins and reality demands.
Whether it is American dream or Chinese dream, they are come up with for country’s economy growth. In the 1920s, England, France, and Germany were in a economic recovery even stagnation after the first world war. Nevertheless, America went through famous Coolidge prosperity, so its economy developed quickly. American dream was come up with during the Great Depression from 1929 to 1933. Americans needed dreams’support. American dream stimulated Americans’ vitality and enthusiasm.。