American Dream and Chinese Dream 中国梦和美国梦

II. What American values does the movie The Pursuit of Happiness reflect? And what is your understanding about the American Dream and Chinese Dream?

Answer:

Through the movie, The Pursuit of Happiness expressed the main American cultural values, and the core value--individualism--it proposals self-hardworking and diligence to change one’s life letting them become the protagonists of their own life. The individualism has emphasized the American as a self-reliant, self-dependent individual, controlling his own life, and being responsible for anything he does. And the orientation to action which is the key point of Americans, effort, optimism, motivation and measurable achievement are also presented in the movie.

As far as I am concerned, American Dream means "Life should be better, richer and fuller, with opportunity for each one". And it varies with the change of epoch. Nowadays, people are looking toward a new American Dream with less focus on financial gains and more emphasis on living a simple and fulfilling life. In a word, the American Dream is the pursuit of democracy, liberty, equality and happiness.

Chinese people used to pursue their dreams in US years ago, of course, it is still going on--travel across Pacific Ocean and come to US. But now, most people from other countries begin to pursue their dreams in China.The common people’s Chinese dreams may includes a big house, an expensive car, a big fortune, a happy marriage, a harmonious family and traveling around the world while the big Chinese dreams perhaps refers to super power, a stable society and continuous development in economy.

It is obvious that the important reasons why American and Chinese Dreams are induced is triggered by social changes and economic factors. Whether you refer to the phenomenon as an American Dream or Chinese Dream, its meaning is enriched by social, political, and economic developments. From the initial pursuit of freedom, to the pursuit of material satisfaction, resulting in being successful in the eyes of others, the American Dream and the Chinese Dream are essentially different means that achieve the same end.