美国梦-英语专业论文.doc

装订线长 春 大 学 毕业设计（论文）纸A Brief Analysis of Bill Gates and His American DreamAbstract Modern society has provided everyone with many choices to get wealth and make dreams true. The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States of America in which democratic ideals are perceived as a promise of prosperity for its people. Bill Gates is a perfect embodiment by the definition of American Dream, has reached his American Dream of success through hard work and determination, He reaches extreme wealth and prominence in the technology world, Gates now champions for the original American Dream by giving those in desperate need the opportunity to pursue their own desires.This paper makes an analysis of the relations of between Bill Gates and American Dream. The author hopes that it can help the reader have a better understanding of American culture and its value.Key Words American Dream Bill Gates 浅析比尔盖茨和他的美国梦摘要 现在社会给每个人都提供了实现自己梦想和自我价值的机会。比尔盖茨通过自己的努力实现了美国梦，成为成功实现美国梦的一个典型，在科技领域里获得了财富和荣誉。现在，比尔的成功为那些对美国梦绝望的人树立了榜样，激励他们去追求自己的梦想。本文通过分析比尔盖茨和美国梦，对两者的研究，使人们更加深入的了解美国人的人生价值观和美国文化。关键词 美国梦 比尔盖茨 0 INTRODUCTION Modern society has provided everyone with many choices to get wealth and make dreams true. The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States of America in which democratic ideals are perceived as a promise of prosperity for its people. The American Dream was first expressed by James Truslow Adams in 1931, in which citizens of every rank felt that they could achieve a “better, richer, and happier life”. The idea of the American Dream is rooted in the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence which states that “all men are created equal” and that they are “endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights” including “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” In common parlance, the term American Dream is often used as a synonym for home ownership since homes have historically been seen as status symbols separating the middle classes and the poor. This usage, though, while common, is generally considered a very specific use of a more general term. Bill Gates is one of the most influential people in the world, and the best example for archival the American Dream .Bill Gates is co-founder, chairman and chief software architect of Microsoft, the most successful software company in the world. He also participates in national and international events and travels extensively to focus attention on the issues the foundation champions. He recognizes his overall contribution to both the world of technology and his efforts in philanthropy.How did Bill Gates make such remarkable achievements? What necessary social conditions make his American dream come true? Is his personal successful story meaningful for everyone? Answers to these questions are expected in the following paper.1. The Brief Introduction of American Dream The term “American Dream” is used in a number of ways, but essentially the American Dream is an idea which suggests that all people can succeed through hard work, and that all people have the potential to live happy, successful lives. Many people have expanded upon or refined the definition of the American Dream, and this concept has also been subject to a fair amount of criticism. Many people believe that the structure of American society belies the idealistic goal of the American Dream.Americans like to see their society as one based on performance, a decision on the personal effort and skills, how successful you are in life . Damit glauben viele Amerikaner auch, dass das Individuum selbst ber sein Schicksal bestimmen kann. So many Americans also believe that the individual can determine his fate. Dabei ist der American Dream“ auf Individualismus fokussiert, etwa um Wohlstand zu erlangen. This is the “American Dream” will focus on individualism, such as to gain prosperity. Belege zeigen, dass harte Arbeit allein weder eine Garantie fr Erfolg ist, noch bestimmt sie die Position eines Menschen in der Gesellschaft. Evidence shows that hard work alone is no guarantee of success, yet it determines the position of a man in society. Johnson (2006) fhrt die Working Poor “ (deutsch: arbeitende Arme“) als ein Beispiel an: Diese arbeiten ihr Leben lang hart und werden trotzdem niemals Wohlstand und Erfolg erlangen. Forschungen haben gezeigt, dass die soziale Klasse ein Faktor ist, der groen Einfluss auf den Werdegang einer Person hat: In simple words, the social class of people placed in different positions, either before or adversely affect in their quest for the “American Dream” Armut verringert Chancen und kann ein groes Hindernis fr Erfolg sein. Opportunities and poverty reduction can be a major obstacle to success. Darum beeinflusst die Klasse in sehr groem Mae den Weg, den Leute wahrnehmen und wie sehr sie den American Dream“ verwirklichen. Therefore influenced to take this class in very large measure the way that people and how much they realize the “American Dream”. 1.1. Old American Dream “The American Dream” came into the American vocabulary starting in 1867 when writer, Horatio Alger came out with his book Ragged Dick. It was a rags-to-riches tale of a poor orphan boy in New York City who saves his pennies, works hard and eventually becomes rich. It became the model that through honesty, hard work and strong determination, the American Dream was available to anyone willing to make the journey.The origin of the American dream stems from the departure in government and economics from the models of the Old World. Many early Americans prospectors headed west of the Rocky Mountains to buy acres of cheap land in hopes of finding deposits of gold. The American dream was a driving factor not only in the Gold Rush of the mid to late 1800s, but also in the waves of immigration throughout that century and the following.Impoverished western Europeans escaping the Irish potato famines in Ireland, the Highland clearances in Scotland and the aftermath of Napoleon in the rest of Europe came to America to escape a poor quality of life at home. They wanted to embrace the promise of financial security and constitutional freedom they had heard existed so widely in the United States.1.1.1.The Target of Old American Dream The American Dream, sometimes in the phrase “Chasing the American Dream, ” is a national ethos of the United States in which freedom includes a promise of the possibility of prosperity and success. The American Dream, first expressed by James Truslow Adams in 1931, “life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” regardless of social class or circumstances of birth. The idea of the American Dream is rooted in the second sentence of the United States Declaration of Independence which states that “all men are created equal” and that they are “endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights” including “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”The idea of an American Dream is older than the United States, dating back to the 1600s, when people began to come up with all sorts of hopes and aspirations for the new and largely unexplored continent. Many of these dreams focused on owning land and establishing prosperous businesses which would theoretically generate happiness, and some people also incorporated ideals of religious freedom into their American Dreams. During the Great Depression, several people wrote about an American Dream, codifying the concept and entrenching it in American society.1.1.2. Approach to American Dream How does one achieve the American Dream? The answer undoubtedly depends upon ones definition of the Dream, and there are many from which to choose. John Winthrop envisioned a religious paradise in a “City upon a Hill.” Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed of racial equality. Both men yearned for what they perceived as perfection. Scholars have recognized widely varying conceptions of these quests for American excellence. One component of the American Dream seems, however, to be fairly consistent: the quest for money. For many Americans the formula is one of instant, albeit elusive, gratification. Rather than adhering to a traditional work ethic, far too many Americans are pinning their hopes on what they perceive as “easy” money.In the midst of industrialization following the Civil War, many Americans experienced profound hardship in the changing economic landscape. They found solace in the tales of Horatio Alger, whose characters overcame adversity through industry, perseverance, self-reliance, and self-discipline. The ubiquitous “rags to riches” legend became a cornerstone of American society, anyone could succeed and achieve wealth if they worked hard. The commitment to industry illustrated by Algers characters, Lincolns ideals of free labor, and Franklins practical maxims were further solidified in the American mind by the addition of a religiously based, Protestant “work ethic”. Many believed that hard work allowed one to not only achieve financial success, but, through that success, revealed Gods grace. 1.1.3. The Standard of Old American DreamTraditionally, Americans have sought to realize the American dream of success, fame and wealth through thrift and hard work. The “rags to riches” legend has and continues to be a cornerstone of the American Dream. The traditional message taught that through hard work, frugality, and self-sacrifice one could achieve financial success and social mobility. Ben Franklin counseled industry, Abraham Lincoln sang the praises of the northern labor system, and Horatio Alger instilled hope in generations of Americans. All three helped to establish basic guidelines for success in a land of infinite possibility. There are unquestionably many Americans who continue to abide by such tenets and in doing so are rewarded for their efforts. Yet there are also those who have come to believe that the American Dreams promise of riches is just that, a promise, and as such they feel entitled to instant financial success. Nor has the socio-corporate climate in America disappointed such a belief. Savvy television producers and marketing executives have latched on to the core of the American Dream. They understand that Americans are enthralled with striking it rich. Thus millionaire game shows are designed to make winning seem easy. The reality in both instances is that achieving the American Dream through such means is a long shot at best. Too much chance exists. Too much luck is necessary. 1.2. Modern American DreamNearing the twentieth century, major industrialist personalities became the new model of the American dream, many beginning lives in the humblest of conditions but later controlling enormous corporations and fortunes. Perhaps most notables here were the great American capitalists Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller. The key difference here from the Old World societal structure is that the antiquated monarchies of Western Europe and their post-feudal economies actively oppressed the peasant class. They also required high levels of taxation, which crippled development. People who were consciously free of these constraints, there was a hope for egalitarianism. Martin Luther King invoked the American Dream in what is perhaps his most famous speech: “Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends. And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.”(I have a dream)In the 20th century, the American dream had its challenges. The Depression caused widespread hardship during the Twenties and Thirties, and was almost a reverse of the dream for those directly affected. Racial instability did not disappear, and in some parts of the country racial violence was almost commonplace.Since the end of World War II, young American families have sought to live in relative bourgeois comfort in the suburbs that they built up. The possibility of great wealth has remained more of a distant dream in the recent century, while the widely held goal of home ownership, financial security, and civil and international stability have come to take the place of the common American dream in modern times.1.2.1. The Target of Modern American Dream New American Dreams stated mission is to “help Americans consume responsibly to protect the environment, enhance quality of life, and promote social justice.” The organization works with individuals, institutions, communities, and businesses to conserve natural resources, counter the commercialization of the culture, and change the way goods are produced and consumed. New American Dream encourages people to “live consciously, buy wisely, and make a difference,” which it explains as follows: Living consciously means getting more of what really matters in life, being aware of whats going on around you, finding balance, and having a little fun while youre at it; Buying wisely means becoming a positive force in the marketplace, using your purchasing power to support business practices that are safer for the environment and better for people; Making a difference is all about making sure your citizen voices are heard, being active in your community and letting policy-makers know where you stand.” In reference to its name, the organization states that it is dedicated to helping support and nurtures an American dream that upholds the spirit of the traditional dream, but with a new emphasis on sustainability and a celebration of non-material values. One of New American Dreams goals is to shift the culture from an emphasis on more to an emphasis on more of what matters.” It is up to the individual to determine what matters in his or her life, but the organization offers, by way of example, more time, nature, fairness, and fun as appropriate points of emphasis over material goods1.2.2. Approach to Modern American Dream Numerous scholars note that the shift away from the traditional American work ethic corresponded directly with the rise of industry. Work values changed dramatically when the assembly line production and machine driven atmosphere of industrial America swallowed up skilled workers. The aftermath of World War II exacerbated the ethical shift as a consumer culture blossomed and Americans became preoccupied with material goods. As one critic noted, “consumed by desires for status, material goods, and acceptance, Americans apparently had lost the sense of individuality, thrift, hard work, and craftsmanship that had characterized the nation.”The result of this shift in work ethic has actually spurred rather than lessened the peoples desire to achieve the American Dream. Yet the real difference is that the Dream has become more of an entitlement than something to work towards. Many Americans no longer entertain a vision for the future that includes time, sweat, and ultimate success. Rather, they covet the shortcut to wealth. Many who are engaged in work view it more as a necessary evil until striking it rich. This idea has been perpetuated by a massive marketing effort that legitimizes the message that wealth can be obtained quickly and easily. Whether through the television entertainment industry, state-based lottery marketing drives, or legal advertisements, Americans are told again and again that the road to the financial success of the American Dream is more a matter of luck than hard work. Now new American Dream has new way to get it ,such as :Improving financial situation (getting out of poverty, getting good education for kids, opening ones own business, getting very rich), Improving social status(living upper-class lives, becoming a senator or something, becoming the President )1.2.3. The Standard of Modern American DreamHere are some things to keep the modern American Dream: Cushion an entry-level salary with a move back home. The first step in restructuring the American Dream is to save money to ensure flexibility. Moving back with your parents is smart if you can do it. Most jobs are in big cities, and starting salaries simply cannot pay the rent in those cities. People who are not able to get subsidized housing from parents are much more limited in terms of their early career choices.Get comfortable with risk taking. The new American Dream is for risk takers. This is actually not groundbreaking in terms of the American Dream. For immigrants, the American Dream has always meant risk-taking. But today young people are taking risks that parents would have never dreamed of, like playing contact sports without any health insurance and signing up for a mortgage with a freelance career.Protect your time. The American Dream of Baby Boomers came at the expense of personal time and family time. Success is not having more things than your parents. Its having more time. More time for hobbies, for travel, for kids. Its not about how much money you have, its about living your life on your own terms, says Barbara Stanny, financial coach and author of Overcoming Underearning.Dont assume personal fulfillment requires a small career. The new American Dream has nothing to do with financial sturdiness. But dont sell yourself short in the name of personal time. “Higher earners with balanced lives dont work more hours, they are just more focused,” says Stanny. “To make more money you dont have to work more hours. There is a difference between settling for a low income and taking a job to feed your soul. ”Buy as small a hom