什么是美国梦？.docx

什么是美国梦？1.Introduction1.前言That dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone is an original concept of American dream engraved in many peoples mind. However, with the development of culture and value, its perceptions are increasingly deepened. There are several factors that interact American dream, in turns, it may affect people in many dimensions, such as, daily life and interpersonal relationship. Never should we ignore that those American presidents can exert an immense impact on American Dream. Dating back Geoge Washinton, the founding father of America to present outstanding American president, Barack Obama, we can never fail to endorse the fact that American dream is admittedly interacted by their diverse charisma and unique working style. This thesis, I intend to illustreate some typical policies and incidents of Amrican presidents to show the connotation and the extension of the American Dream. The chief aim of this paper is to show the evolution and development of the American dream. 一个国家的梦想-在这个国家里，人们的生活更好，更富裕，更充实，这是深深印在很多人头脑中的美国梦的原意。然而，随着文化和价值观念的发展，对它的理解也日益深化。很多因素影响着美国梦，同样，它也可能会在日常生活和人际关系等很多方面影响着人们。我们千万不该忘记，历代美国总统对美国梦都有着巨大的影响。从美国的建国之父乔治华盛顿到现任总统巴拉克奥巴马，我们不得不承认美国梦确实受他们的不同魅力和独特的工作风格影响这一事实。本文中，我打算通过举例说明美国总统的某些典型政策和事件来体现美国梦的内涵与外延。本文的主要目的是展现美国梦的演变和发展过程。2. The Definition of the American dream1.美国梦的定义2.1The background of the American Dream2.1美国梦的背景In the way beginning of the foundation AmericanDeclaration of Independenceendowed equal rights of pursuing a better life in this way: we held certain truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.1American writer and historian James Truslow Adams, it is believed first coined the term American Dream in his 1931 bookThe Epic of American, and elaborated it as美国建国之初的独立宣言赋予这样赋予人们追求美好生活的权利：“我们认为这些真理是不言而喻的：人人生而平等，他们都从他们的造物主那边被赋予了某些不可转让的权利，其中包括生命权、自由权和追求幸福的权利”。1美国作家及历史学家詹姆斯特拉斯洛亚当斯被认为是在其作品美国史诗首次提出“美国梦”这一名词，并将其阐述为that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.2“美国梦想就是一个国家的梦想-在这个国家里，人们的生活更好更富裕更充实，并且根据能力或者成就有着各自的机会。这个难以实现梦想对于欧洲上层阶级来说很难充分解释，我们中的许多人已经厌倦了并且对此保持怀疑。它不仅仅是拥有汽车和高工资这么简单，而是希望有一个很好的社会秩序使得每个人都能充分发挥个人的潜力，为别人所认可，不管其出生或者地位所带来的优越环境”2Thomas Wolfe and John M.Oskison expressed their opinion on American way of life respectively. to every man, regardless of his birth, his shining, golden opportunity,the right to live, to work, to be himself, and to become whatever thing his manhood and his vision can combine to make him.3and America means equality of citizenship every man has a vote. Most of all, America means relief from the burden of taxes and militarism, and an opportunity to make more money and live better.4托马斯沃尔夫和约翰米尔顿艾萨克森分别就美国生活方式表达了他们的看法：“对于每个人而言，无论他的出身、肤色，千载难逢得机会，生存，工作，做他自己的权利，以及成为任何他自身人格和眼界交汇所塑造出来的人”3和“美国意味着公民权利与义务的平等-每个人都有选举的权利。最重要的是，美国意味着免除税收和兵役的负担，以及赚更多钱和生活更好的机会。”42.2The Various Perceptions and Connotations of the American Dream2.2美国梦的各种概念和内涵With so many versions and explanations of American dream, there are two ways to illustrate the American dream：in the broad sense, it means democracy, freedom, equality. In the narrow sense, it means one can succeed through ones own effort. Its a belief in the freedom that allows all citizens and residents of the United States to pursue their goals in life through hard work. America is the land of opportunity. If I work hard enough, I can be whatever I want to be. If I truly want something I can get it.这么多美国梦的版本和解释，美国梦可以用两种方式来阐释：广义上讲，它是指“民主，自由和平等”。狭义上讲，他意味着一个人可以通过自身努力成功。这是一种对自由的信仰，它允许所有的美国公民和居民可以通过努力工作来追求自己的目标。美国号称机遇之国。如果我足够努力地工作，我就能成为我想成为的。如果我真想要什么，我就能得到什么。American Dream has touched the lives and consciousness of American citizens and residents. One person may place monetary gain as their highest goal, and thus strive for this in a very American way, gaining through ability rather than social status. For another, the American Dream could consist in achieving a state of pure freedom from the choke-hold of money and social structure. These two examples of the American Dream are only drops in an ever-expanding spectrum of possibilities.美国梦已经关系到美国公民和居民的生活和意识。一个人可能会以获取金钱作为最高目标，从而以非常美国的方式为此奋斗，通过能力而非社会地位来获取金钱 。另一方面，美国梦可能存在于从令人窒息的金钱和社会结构中获取纯粹的自由。这两个美国梦的例子在日益扩大的可能性中只是沧海一粟。The phrases meaning has evolved over the course of American history. TheFounding Fathers used the phrase, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.5For others it is the opportunity for their children to grow up and receive an education and its consequent career opportunities. It is the opportunity to make individual choices without the restrictions of class, religion, race, or ethnic group. President Clinton said, We need a new spirit of community, a sense that we are all in this together, or the American Dream will continue to wither. Our destiny is bound up with the destiny of every other American.6 这个短语的意义随着美国历史进程的演变而演变。建国之父曾使用该短语，“生命，自由，以及对幸福的追求。”5其他方面，它是自己子女成长，接受教育和获得随之而来的就业机会的机会。它是在没有阶级，宗教，种族和民族限制下做出个人选择的机会。克林顿总统曾经说，“我们需要一种新的大同精神，一种我们都在一起，亦或是美国梦将会继续破灭的观念。我们的命运与每一个美国人的命运密切相关”6From the birth of America, to America today, the driving force and the heart of America has always been the American Dream.The American Dream is success, freedom, and being able to control your own destiny. Everyone has dreams, but to carry them out is the American Dream. It is something that makes America great. It allows those with aspirations to make them come true. In America all one needs is a dream and the motivation to carry out that dream. Ambition is the driving force behind the American Dream. It allows anyone that has an aspiration, a desire, a yearning, to carry out their individual dream. It stands for something great, something that everyone can strive towards. Its a dream and a desire for something great. In America, the American Dream allows dreams to become realities. It is the ability to come from nothing and become something. To have the desire and the drive to carry out ones aspirations embodies the American Dream. Its an kind of American spirit.从建国之初到现在，美国的动力和核心始终是美国梦。美国梦就是成功，自由以及控制自己的命运。每个人都有梦想，但是实现梦想才是美国梦。它是是美国变得伟大的东西。他让那些壮志凌云的人实现梦想。在美国，所有人需要的是一个梦想以及推动梦想实现的动力。抱负是美国梦背后的驱动力。它让任何有志向，有愿望，有渴望的人们实现自己的梦想。它代表了伟大的事物，以及人们努力想实现的事物。它是追求伟大事物的梦想和渴望。在美国，美国梦使梦想成为现实。它是从无到有的能力。拥有实现志向的渴望和动力体现了美国梦。它是一种美国精神。3. American Presidentsthe Top Conductor of the American Dream3.美国总统-美国梦的最高执行者3.1Founder of the American Dream3.1美国梦的创始人3.1.1George Washington andthe Founding of Americathe Regime Baseof American dream3.1.1乔治华盛顿，美国的建国之父-美国梦的政权统治基础George Washington, led the Continental Army to victory over the Kingdom of Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War (17751783) and served as the first President of the United States of America. Washington is seen as a symbol of the United States, an excellent delegator and judge of talent and character, He was systematic, orderly ,energetic and solicitous person, with decisive, ambitious mind.乔治华盛顿带领大陆军于1775-1783年的美国解放战争中战胜大不列颠王国并当选为美利坚合众国第一任总统。华盛顿被看作是美国的标志，他是一位有才能，有声望的委派人和法官。他是一个有着决定性和雄心壮志的头脑，条理，利落，精力充沛和热情的人。First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in humble and enduring scenes of private life. Pious, just, humane, temperate, and sincere; uniform, dignified, and commanding; his example was as edifying to all around him as were the effects of that example lastingCorrect throughout, vice shuddered in his presence and virtue always felt his fostering hand. The purity of his private character gave effulgence to his public virtuesSuch was the man for whom our nation mourns7“战时第一，和时第一，同胞心中第一，他在私人生活方面的谦逊和隐忍是无可匹敌的。他虔诚，公正，仁爱，温和，真诚；他体态匀称，高贵，威严；他的事迹对他身边的人具有教育意义并有持久的影响在其职位上，考虑周到，小心谨慎，品行德行得以培养。他的个性的纯洁为其公众德性增添了光辉这才是我们的国家哀悼的英雄”7Washington was regarded as the Father of His Country. He sought to create a great nation capable of surviving in a world torn asunder by the war between Britain and France. His devotion to civic virtue made him an exemplary figure among early American politicians . His unilateral Proclamation of Neutrality of 1793 provided a basis for avoiding any involvement in foreign conflicts. He supported plans to build a strong central government by funding the national debt, implementing an effective tax system, and creating a national bank. Washington avoided the temptation of war and began a decade of peace with Britain. Besides, he had a marked impact on the nations highest court through his appointment of the first ten Justices of the Supreme Court. His public political address warned against foreign influence in domestic affairs and Americas meddling in European affairs. He warned against bitter partisanship in domestic politics and called for men to move beyond partisanship and serve the common good. He called for an America wholly free of foreign attachments, saying the United States must concentrate primarily on American interests. He advocate friendship and commerce with all nations, his address quickly set American values regarding religion and foreign affairs.华盛顿被视为“建国之父”。他努力创造了一个在被英法两国蹂躏的四分五裂之后仍能生存在这个世界上的伟大国家。他对公民道德的贡献使他成为早期美国政客的楷模。他于1793年单方面做出的独立宣言为避免美国卷入外部冲突提供了依据。他支持通过积累国债，实施有效税制和创立国家银行的方式建立一个强大的中央政府的方案。华盛顿避免了战争的诱惑，并与英国开始了长达十年的和平关系。另外，通过任命首批十位最高法院的大法官，他对美国的最高法院又产生了显著的影响。他的公共政治演说告诫了外国对美国内政的影响以及美国对欧洲事务的干涉。他警告了国内政治中的党派偏见，呼吁人们超越党派以及为共同利益服务。他呼吁美国完全摆脱对外国的依附，主张美国必须专心致志于美国自身的利益。他提倡与各国建立友好及商业关系。他的演说迅速确定了美国在宗教和外交事务上的价值观念。 Since America was founded, American people began to work, create, and weave their American dream in their own way on this supernatural and vigorous land. The founding of America also set the base and tone for the future development of this nation. Most importantly, it makes the contiuous presence and evolution of the American dream possible. 自从美国成立，美国人民便开始在这块超自然的和充满活力的土地上以他们自己的方式工作，创造和编制他们的美国梦。美国的成立也为着这个国家的未来发展奠定了基石和基调。最重要的是，它使美国梦的持续存在和演化成为可能。3.1.2Thomas Jefferson andthe Enaction ofUnited StatesDeclaration of Independence3.1.2托马斯杰弗逊以及美国独立宣言的制定 TheUnited States Declaration of Independenceis a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, announcing that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain were no longer a part of the British Empire. Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson. Philosophically, the Declaration stressed two themes: individual rights and the right of revolution. Particularly, it stressed that the unalienable rights of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” belong to every American citizen. 美国独立宣言是美国大陆会议于1776年7月4日通过的声明，该声明宣告战时英国的13个美国殖民地不再是大英帝国的一部分。这一声明首先由托马斯杰弗逊起草。从哲学角度上讲，该声明强调两个主题：个人权利和革命的权利。尤其是，它强调“生命，自由和追求幸福的权利”属于每一个美国公民不可剥夺的权利。Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 July 4, 1826) was the third President of the United States , the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. and one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the America, he is a polymath and Jefferson is a horticulturist, statesman, architect, archaeologist, inventor, and founder of the University of Virginia. He is also one of the three greatest presidents in the America history.托马斯杰弗逊（1743.4.13-1826.5.4）是美国第三任总统，独立宣言的主要作者以及美国最有影响力的建国之父之一。他是个学识渊博的人。杰弗逊是一位园艺家，政治家，建筑家，考古学家，发明家以及弗吉尼亚大学的创始人。他也是美国历史上最伟大的三位总统之一。Jefferson believed that each individual had certain inalienable rights. That is, these rights exist with or without government; man cannot create, take, or give them away. It is the right of liberty on which Jefferson is most notable for expounding. He defines it by saying rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add within the limits of the law, because law is often but the tyrants will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.8Hence, for Jefferson, though government cannot create a right to liberty, it can indeed violate it. And the limit of an individuals rightful liberty is not what law says but simply a matter of prohibiting other individuals from having the same liberty. A proper government, for Jefferson, is one that not only prohibits individuals in society from infringing on the liberty of other individuals, but also restrains itself from diminishing individual liberty.杰弗逊认为，每个人都有“某些不可剥夺的权利”。也就是说，这些权利存在与否与政府无关；人类不能创造，剥夺或放弃这些权利。“自由权”是杰弗逊最为著名的论述。他将之定义为“正当的自由为，在其他人据相同权利划定之范围内，依我等之意愿畅行无碍。我并未加述合法范围内，因律法通常不过是专制独裁者之意图，而律法的确就是这样侵犯个人权利。”8因此，对杰弗逊而言，尽管政府不能创造自由权，但实际上，政府可以侵犯自由权。个人正当的自由的限制不是法律所说的而仅仅是禁止其他个人拥有同样的自由。对杰弗逊而言，一个合理的政府应该是不仅禁止社会中的个人侵犯其他个人的自由，而且约束自身削弱个人自由。Jefferson believed that individuals had an innate sense of morality that prescribes right from wrong when dealing with other individualsthat whether they choose to restrain themselves or not, they have an innate sense of the natural rights of others. The natural rights of all men have been stated as life, liberty, and the puruit of happiness. In order for freedom to exist, people must take on the responsibility to pursue and maintain their dream.杰弗逊认为，个人拥有一种天生的道德感，可以在与他人打交道的过程中订明是非-不管他们是否选择约束自己，他们天生就能意识到他人与生俱来的权利。人人所享有的与生俱来的权利可以归纳为“生命，自由和追求幸福的权利。”为了争取自由的存在，人类必须肩负起追求梦想和坚持梦想的责任。 The dream of freedom requires people to take responsibility to govern themselves in a way in which freedom can succeed without chaos，the country have used governmental law and social rules to regulate their citizens. People must maintain a direct hold on their government and society through their laws and social structure, allowing for each individual within their citizenship to keep their own identity while participating in the civilization as a whole. When people take on the responsibility of their citizenship and follow the laws and rules founded for them, freedom is allowed to work for everyone.自由的梦想要求人们负责的以某种方式克制自己，通过这种方式，自由可以实现而不混乱。国家采用政府立法以及社会规则的方式来规范他们的公民。人们必须通过法律和社会结构直接影响他们的政府和社会，允许其公民范围内的每一个人保持自己的身份，同时作为一个整体参与人类文明的生活。当人们肩负起他们作为公民的责任，并且遵守为他们设立的法律法规时，自由便属于每一个人。This is the origin of the American dream, it give people all the rights to pursue their own dream, design and create their own life. After the enaction of the Declaration of Independence, American people began to shape this country and themselves in various ways, all the American people believe that they are the only God chosen people in the world, and they have the unalienable rights to pursue happiness of their own. 这便是美国梦的起源。他给予人们追求自己梦想的权利，设计和创造自己生活的权利。独立宣言颁布以后，美国人民开始开始以各种方式发展这个国家和他们自己。所有的美国人都相信，他们是世界上唯一的“上帝选民”，他们拥有追求自己幸福的不可剥夺的权利。3.2 Expander of the American DreamPresident Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt3.2美国梦的扩展者-亚伯拉罕林肯总统和西奥多罗斯福总统3.2.1President Abraham and Emancipation Proclamation3.2.1亚伯拉罕林肯总统和解放奴隶宣言 In the Constitution of the United States of America it is stated that all men are created equal but in society it is over shadowed by racism. 美国宪法规定人人生而平等，但是在社会中，它却被蒙上了种族主义的阴影。 Segregation was common during different times in the American history,and this made it extremely hard for people of color or immigrants to find a good job and live a normal life. For a black man there was little or no American dream. A dream is somewhat a condition or achievement that is longed for and without good effort it is highly unlikely. Americas appeal is the aspiration of improving the life they are living and the lives of their children. People move to this country to work to achieve their dreams and make something out of their lives. For an immigrant or an African American, challenges stood in the way of their dreams. The challenge was segregation. If it wasnt difficult enough to make something out of nothing it was harder with the obstacles of segregation.在美国历史的不同时期，种族隔离是很常见的，这让有色人种或移民很难找到一份好的工作以及过上正常的生活。对黑人来讲，他们几乎或者根本没有美国梦。梦想，从某种程度上讲，是一种令人向往的地位或成就，不付出很大的努力，是极不可能实现的。美国呼吁提高他们及其子女的生活水平。对一个移民或非裔美国人而言，挑战挡在他们追求梦想的路上。这一挑战就是种族隔离。如果说使某些事物无中生有不算困难，那么种族隔离才是真正的障碍。 How could one mans American dream overcome the segregation and racism of millions? Does the American Dream really exist in the black community or do blacks labor under the false impression that our lives will be better in the future? Do blacks in America also accept their fate? Are we living under a veil of hope that one day America will become that word that everyone loves to throw around? Did the American Dream ever exist for us, or did we just believe that things had to get better because they couldnt possibly get any worse? Benjamin Franklin wrote that laziness travels so slowly, that poverty soon overtakes him and diligence is the mother of good luck, and God gives all things to industry.9In other words, if you work hard and are not lazy, you will not be poor. Furthermore, hard work dictates good luck in America. Franklin was one of Americas founding fathers. The people looked up to him for guidance. Was he telling the truth?一个人的美国梦怎么可能克服数百万人的种族隔离和种族主义？美国梦真的存在于黑人群体中，亦或是黑人同胞在我们的生活未来会更好的假象下劳动？美国的黑人也接受他们的命运吗？我们是否生活在这样一线希望之下，有一天，美国会变成这样一个世界：每个人都喜欢挥霍？美国梦真的为我们存在过吗，亦或是我们只是相信万物会变好因为他们不可能在再变坏？本杰明富兰克林写到“懒惰走得太慢，很快就被贫穷追上”和“勤奋是幸运之母，上帝将万物赐予勤劳。”9换句话说，如果你努力工作不懒惰，你不会穷。此外，在美国，勤奋工作推动者好运的到来。富兰克林是美国建国之父之一。人们尊重他的领导。他说的是实话吗？People began to quest whether American can be still equal among every people, is America still under the umbrella of theDeclaration of Indepen