摘要：

“美国梦”是美国的民族精神，它激励着一代又一代的美国人努力奋斗。《破产姐妹》于2011年9月19日在美国CBS电视台播出， 并且在第38届美国民选奖上获得了“最受欢迎电视新喜剧”的荣誉。这个情景喜剧发生纽约的布鲁克林地区，讲述了两个贫穷女孩—Max和Caroline锲而不舍地实现自己“美国梦”的奋斗史。本文试图通过马斯洛需要层次理论来分析《破产姐妹》主人公Max 和Caroline追寻她们“美国梦”的艰难过程。她们的梦想就像她们的需求一样是从低到高发展的。希望能帮助读者更好的理解“美国梦”的真正意义，以此来指导当下的生活。每个人都能追求自己的梦想并为之拼搏，最终都会获得幸福。

关键词：破产姐妹；美国梦；马斯洛需要层次理论；意义

Abstract:

As a national ethos of America, American dream encourages every generation of Americans to struggle for their dream. Two Broke Girls was first shown in the United States on CBS on September 2011, which is a situation comedy created by Michael Patrick and Whitney Cummings. Set in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City, this comedy tells a story of Max Black, a poor but funny waitress, and Caroline Channing, who was a rich girl whereas then become a waitress after his father broke down. The story describes how the two girls become friends and strive for their American Dream despite all difficulties. On the 38th People's Choice Awards of America, Two Broke Girls won the honor of the most Favorite New TV Comedy. The thesis mainly analyzes the American Dream in Two Broke Girls from the perspective of Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theory. Their five kinds of needs are the epitome of Max and Caroline’s American dream. The process of pursuing different needs is the process of achieving dreams. The purpose of this thesis is to wish that it can help the author have a deeper and clearer impression about Two Broke Girls and can have a better and further understanding about the American Dream. American Dream will continue to exist and develop, which will be a wonderful guidance of everyone. Everyone could pursue their American Dream and attain happiness. 

Key words: Two Broke Girls; American Dream; Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theory; significance

1.    Introduction
1.1    The research background
Two Broke Girls is an American situation comedy, which was first shown on CBS of the United States on September 2011 and is currently commissioned for a fifth season. This comedy is created by Michael Patrick King and Whitney Cummings. The production company of this show is Warner Bros Pictures. On January 11, 2012, Two Broke Girls won the honor for Favorite New TV Comedy at the 38th People's Choice Awards.
This comedy describes a series of stories of Max Black, and Caroline Channing, who are from totally different family background. Max, who owns an irresponsible mother and an unknown father, is a poor working class girl who has a miserable childhood and a tough adult life. Caroline, a formerly rich girl, is disgraced and poor due to his father, Martin Channing, who was arrested and put into prison for a Ponzi scheme (a kind of investment frauds in financial sector). The two girls are forced to work together at the Williamsburg neighborhood, a Brooklyn diner in New York, whereas soon they become roommates and bosom friends while moving toward their American Dream — one day could own a cupcake shop.