An Analysis of Gatsby’s Image under the Background of “American Dream”_英语论文

摘要

《了不起的盖茨比》于1925年出版，是20世纪美国最受欢迎的小说之一，对于该小说的研究也从未间断过。在动荡的20年代，美国社会道德沦陷、物欲横流，许多美国年轻人都改变了价值观，人们普遍认为只要有钱技能得到想要的一切，盖茨比也不例外。论文主体主要分为三个部分：

第一部分首先研究了《了不起的盖茨比》的国内外研究现状，发现对该小说的研究从未间断过。尽管从盖茨比人物形象和主题方面来研究该作的大有人在，但是反过来从时代背景影响人物这方面还有可探讨的空间。

第二部分主要叙述了美国梦的发展历程和实质，结合20世纪20年代的美国社会，对这一时期的现实进一步剖析。同时，结合《了不起的盖茨比》把美国梦分为财富、自由平等、道德观和爱情观四个方面。

第三部分讨论主人公盖茨比的人物形象。盖茨比的形象可谓是多重和模糊的，既有梦想家的脱俗气质，又有暴发户的庸俗。这一章结合美国梦的实质，从正面描写、侧面描写、盖茨比的爱情和小说的写作技巧四个方面进行深度分析。讨论爵士时代的美国梦是如何影响这一人物形象的，从而让读者更透彻的了解盖茨比。 

关键词：美国梦  盖茨比  人物形象

Abstract

The Great Gatsby published in 1925, which is one of the most popular novels in America in 20th century. In the context of “American Dream”, this paper analyzes the hero’s image of Gatsby. In the turbulent 20s, American social morality fell and materialistic, and many young Americans changed their values, there is a widespread belief that as long as the rich skills get what they want, Gatsby is no exception. The main body of thesis is divided into three parts:

The first part studies the research status of The Great Gatsby at home and abroad, from which can found that the study of this novel has never been interrupted. Despite the fact that there are plenty people who research this novel from Gatsby’s image and the theme, in turn, from the aspect of historical background influenced on character image can be explored.

The second part mainly narrates the development history and essence of American Dream, combined with the American society of the 1920s further analyzed the reality of this period. Meanwhile, the paper divided the American Dream into four aspects combined with The Great Gatsby—wealth, freedom and equality, moral values and romance.

The third part discusses the character of the hero Gatsby. Gatsby’s character image is multiple and vague, both the refined temperament of the dreamer and the vulgar of the upstart. This chapter combines the essence of the American Dream to further analyze from the positive description, the negative description, the romance of Gatsby and writing skills four aspects. Discussing how the American Dream of the Jazz Age affects the image of the character in order to let the readers know thoroughly about Gatsby. 

Key words: American Dream; Gatsby; Character Image

Contents

Abstract in English ii

Abstract in Chinese iii

Introduction 1

Chapter I  Literature 3

1.1 Definition of American Dream 3

1.2 Introduction to The Great Gatsby 4

1.3 Research Status 4

1.3.1 Overseas Research Status 4

1.3.2 Domestic Research Status 5

Chapter II  A Brief Introduction to American Dream 8

2.1 Development History of American Dream 8

2.2 Essence of American Dream 9

2.2.1 Wealth Dream 9

2.2.2 Freedom and Equality Dream 9

2.2.3 Moral Values 10

2.2.4 Romantic Dream 10

Chapter III  An Analysis of Gatsby’s Image 12

3.1 An Analysis of Positive Description 12

3.1.1 Personal Value’s Construction Analysis under the Pursuit of Wealth Dream 12

3.1.2 Image Construction Analysis under the Class Differentiation Background 12

3.2 An Analysis on Negative Description 13

3.2.1 Social Environment Analysis of Moral Depravity 13

3.3 An Analysis on the Aspect of the Hero Gatsby’s Love 13

3.4 An Analysis on the Aspect of the Fiction’s Writing Skills 14

3.4.1 An Analysis on Symbolism Technique in Fiction World 14

3.4.2 An Analysis on First Person Narration in Objective World 15

Conclusion 16

Bibliography 17

Acknowledgment 19