美国梦的历史进程.docVIP

“美国梦”的历史进程 字数：4256????字号:大 中 小 　　Abstract:This paper is designed to disclose the history of the American Dream: the two versions of the American Dreaminitiatedby the early immigrants, that is : the religious version of the Dream and the quest for wealth; the legacy of the Enlightenment movement and the two great architects of American culture produced by the movement: Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, who initiated respectively the pragmatism and the democratic ideal of the Dream; the devotion of transcendentalism headed by the chief spokesman of transcendentalism棗Ralph Waldo Emerson to the American Dream and the final Withering of the Dream.  　　Key Words:the American dream; the secular dream; the political ideal; transcendentalism 　　 　　“The American Dream” is one of the essential elements for people to know the American culture and the American people. This paper is designed to disclose the history of the American Dream. 　　However, What’s “the American Dream”? There is no definite definition. Different people have different understanding and interpretation. In its broad sense, it refers to the ideal of a nation such as democracy、 equality and freedom; while in its narrow sense, it refers to the pursuit of individuals to obtain success of life on their own initiative. 揟he American Dream?embraces nearly all higher American ideals: the religious ideal of a model nation, the secular desire for affluence, the political ideal of a democratic country and the dream of both material and spiritual advancement. In real life, it includes everything that is related to a happy life 棗a good education, a happy marriage, lovely children, good health, an expensive car and an extravagant house, etc. A song named 搕he American Dream?gives vivid expression of the Dream. It goes like this: 揟he American Dream, sweet as a millionaire?搕he American Dream, busboys can buy the hotels?and搕he American Dream, come and get more than your share? According to the song, su