Abstract

American Dream which is one of the core elements of American culture has been attracting lots of people, especially the young, to go to America in waves to pursue their dreams. American Dream has long been a heated topic ever since its birth, which brings about the phenomenon that many American movies have been shot with the American Dream as their theme. This paper begins with the introduction to the definition, origin and development of the American Dream, then continues to explain the objective and subjective conditions for its realization and also how these conditions are reflected in eight American movies through their characters and plots, which aims to exercise positive influence on college students’ academic studies and daily lives as well.

Key words: American Dream, conditions, reflection, American movies

摘 要

美国梦，是美国文化的核心元素之一。它吸引了一批又一批的人士奔赴美国这片热土追逐梦想，其中以年轻人居多。美国梦自诞生以来就是一个热门话题。美国的许多电影都是以美国梦为题材，向人们展示实现美国梦需要客观机遇，更需要主观努力。本文从美国梦的定义、起源、发展入手，解释了实现这一梦想的主客观条件，并对这些条件在八部美国电影中人物与情节上的反映进行了剖析，以期对当代大学生的学习和生活带来积极的影响。

关键词： 美国梦；条件；反映；美国电影

1.    Introduction
     Nowadays more and more people, especially the young, immigrate into America, because in their eyes America is a paradise where people can enjoy equal opportunities and rights and achieve maximal freedom, all of which will benefit their careers, as well as the pursuit of lives of high quality. This can be called American Dream, in a secular and narrow sense. It’s so amazing that a dream named after its country can attract so many followers, both at home and abroad.          
American Dream has always been a heated topic ever since it was born, but people’s attitudes toward it is polarized. Some think it is positive, others negative. The latter holds that the dream has become more and more materialized because the realization of the dream is simply understood as the possession of wealth. Even Richard Nixon ever said in his Inaugural Address “We find ourselves rich in goods, but ragged in spirit.” Besides, it always advocates that such success is within the reach of everyone who strives for it. However, the reality is cruel. The tragedy of Clyde, the protagonist of Theodore Dresier’s novel The American Tragedy, is only one individual example among many.