Abstract

The westward movement is a mass campaign to expand territory and explore unknown frontier in American history, which has exerted profound influences on American national characters. During this period, those people who moved westward have experienced natural barriers and cultural conflicts. It was exactly the strong American national characters that helped achieve the feat. The movie How the West Was Won is one that truly reflects the history of the westward movement.
How the West Was Won is a 1962 American epic western film. The fundamental idea of the film is to retell the process of westward migration and American development. Set between 1839 and 1889, stories of the Prescotts are depicted in the movie, and the American characters like frontier spirit, democracy, freedom, equality, individualism and optimism are thoroughly reflected. 
This paper elaborates American national characters in the westward movement by analyzing its reflections in the film. Part one briefly introduces the movie; part two presents an overview of the westward movement; part three expounds American national characters in the movement through analyzing lines and figures of the movie. Based on lots of information and related videos, this paper aims to present American national characters from a totally fresh perspective. As the result shows, American national characters in the westward movement have exerted profound influences on the whole American people.

Key words: westward movement; American national characters; How the West Was Won

摘  要

西进运动是美国拓展西部疆域和开发广阔西部的群众性运动，对美国民族性格的形成和进一步发展有深远影响。在西进运动中，面对自然阻碍和文化冲突，美国人民正是凭借坚强的民族性格，完成了西部开发的壮举。《西部开拓史》就是对这一历史时期的真实反映。
《西部开拓史》是一部1962年的史诗型西部。影片的基本理念是再现西进运动和美国发展的过程。时间设定为1839年至1889年，讲述拓荒者普来史考特一家四代从纽约到太平洋的迁徙经历。影片中的主要人物身上展现了美国式的自由、平等,美国人的冒险精神、个人主义以及乐观进取等民族性格。
本文主要通过分析影片《西部开拓史》来展现西进运动中的美国民族性格。论文第一章主要介绍影片《西部开拓史》；第二章阐述西进运动的原因和影响；第三章透过台词与主要人物剖析电影中所体现出的西进运动中的美国民族性格。经过大量地搜集和研究资料，观看相关视频，笔者希望能够引导读者从全新的角度认识美国民族性格。结果表明，西进运动中的美国民族性格对整个美利坚民族来说都具有十分深远的意义。

关键词：西进运动；美国民族性格；《西部开拓史》