Abstract

American TV series is an important part of the USA film and television culture and a vital means to transmit American culture and values. Individual heroism is one of the core American values, which are fully embodied in TV shows. This paper will explore American individual heroism’s origin, features and influence on American development and elaborate individual heroism displayed in NIKITA specifically.
NIKITA mainly tells about a story in which a young executed female prisoner was rescued and trained by a secret spy agency “Division” to be a top killer. After discovering the evil nature of “Division”, she succeeded escaping and was determined to destroy it completely. Briefly speaking, individual heroism takes individualism as principles and prefers to be self-centered; and it emphasizes the individual role in social life and in historical activities while puts the strength and wisdom of massive people to secondary status. The research of American individual heroism makes audiences get closer understanding of it.
This paper is divided into three parts. The first part introduces the production, synopsis and theme of NIKITA. The second part focuses on researching individual heroism, including its origin, reasons and effects on American development. The third part analyzes individual heroism in details reflected on NIKITA from the main characters’ images, the fighting scenes and the classic dialogue appreciation.

Key words: individual heroism; American TV series; NIKITA

摘  要

美剧是美国影视文化的重要组成部分，更是美国对外传播本国文化的重要方式之一。个人英雄主义是美国的核心价值观之一，在美国影视中得到充分体现。本文将探究美国个人英雄主义的起源、特点和对美国发展的影响，以及具体阐述其在美剧《尼基塔》中的体现。
美剧《尼基塔》主要讲述一个年轻的女极刑犯“尼基塔”被一家秘密间谍机构“组织”训练成顶尖杀手，但她发现“组织”的邪恶本质后成功逃脱并报复摧毁“组织”的故事。简要地说，个人英雄主义以个人主义为原则，以自我为中心；它强调个人在社会生活和历史活动中的作用，而将人民群众的力量和智慧置于次要地位。美国个人英雄主义的研究使读者进一步了解美国的个人英雄主义价值观。
本文共分三部分：第一部分简要地介绍了《尼基塔》的制作、剧情大纲及主题；第二部分着眼于个人英雄主义的研究，包括其起源、特点、原因及对美国发展的影响；第三部分则从主要人物性格形象、打斗场面以及经典对白分析其体现的个人英雄主义。

关键词：个人英雄主义；美剧；《尼基塔》