Abstract

The American Dream reflects the traditional value and national spirit of the Americans. For hundreds of years, plenty of youths succeeded on this piece of land because of being inspired by the American Dream. However, with time passing, the meaning of the American Dream is changing, for better or worse. Nevertheless, lots of people who pursue it cannot realize this problem. Seeing Palm Once More tells a story of many Chinese pursuing the American Dream from 1950s to 1960s. It takes into account the common aspirations of Chinese residing in America.
Seeing Palm Once More is a full-length novel published by Yu Lihua in 1965. It tells a story that a young Chinese man, Mou Tianlei, pursues his American Dream in America, but he is lost in the disparity between dream and reality and becomes one of the rootless generation. The suffering of Mou gives Chinese who follow the general trend blindly and study abroad a warning. When we choose our dream, we must think about our situation and social environment.
The author hopes that this paper can make Chinese realize this problem and choose the best way for themselves. Chapter one introduces the origin, development, climax and break of the American Dream; Chapter two introduces the story Seeing Palm Once More; Chapter three compares the Chinese Dream with the American Dream and encourages Chinese youths to pursue their own dreams and realize their values, rather than follow the general trend blindly.

Key words: The American Dream; Chinese residing in America; Seeing Palm Once More

摘  要

美国梦是最能体现美国人的传统价值观和民族精神的理想。数百年来，千千万万的有志青年在美国梦的激励下获得了成功。但是，随着时代的变迁，美国梦的内涵也发生着变化，或进步或退步。但许多追寻美国梦的人却没有清醒地认清这一现状。《又见棕榈，又见棕榈》描写的是上个世纪大批中国青年赴美追求美国梦的故事，它引起了无数旅美华人的共鸣。
《又见棕榈，又见棕榈》是旅美华人於梨华1965年出版的一部长篇小说。它讲述了胸怀大志的中国青年牟天磊赴美追寻自己的美国梦，却在现实与梦想的差距中迷失了自己，成为了“没有根的一代”的故事。故事主人公的遭遇给当下盲目跟风赴美留学追寻美国梦的中国人一个警示，选择符合自身实际的梦想远比随波逐流重要。
笔者希望通过这部小说给当下中国狂热的留学热一针镇定剂，让国人能更理智地看待这一现状。论文第一章介绍美国梦的起源、发展、高潮和破没；第二章分析《又见棕榈，又见棕榈》中中国青年的寻梦故事；第三章通过对比中国梦和美国梦，鼓励中国青年结合自身实际和客观现实去追寻自己的梦想，实现自己的人生价值。
 
关键词：美国梦；旅美华人；《又见棕榈，又见棕榈》