论《一颗像里茨饭店那么大的钻石》中的美国梦的破灭

Vol.35No.1Jan.2014第35卷第1期2014年1月赤峰学院学报(汉文哲学社会科学版)Journal of Chifeng University (S oc.S ci )菲茨杰拉德是20世纪美国文坛的代表人物,虽然创作生涯充其量不过二十年,但却留下了四篇长篇小说和一百六十多篇短篇小说。

作为美国爵士时代的“桂冠诗人”和“编年史家”,他栩栩如生地重现了那个时代的社会风貌、生活气息和感情节奏。

更重要的是,在沉湎其中的同时,他又能冷眼旁观,体味“灯火阑珊,酒醒人散”的怅惘,用严峻的道德标准衡量一切,用凄婉的笔调书写了战后“迷惘的一代”对于美国梦幻灭的悲哀。

虽然菲茨杰拉德最出名的作品是他的长篇小说,他的短篇小说也取得了很高的艺术成就。

在他众多的作品中虽有平庸之作,但其中的上品绝对是美国短篇小说宝库中不可多得的瑰宝。

创作于1922年的《一颗像里茨饭店那么大的钻石》(以下称《钻石》)就是一个极好的例子。

小说的主人公约翰·昂格尔出生在中西部城镇的小商人家庭,家族生意的收入勉强能让他去读富家子弟的预科学校,在校期间结识了富有却很神秘的同学珀西·华盛顿。

当约翰接受了珀西的邀请,去他家度暑假时,一次踏上“黄金国”的奇幻之旅开始了。

起初,约翰还以为自己掉进了一个豪奢的梦境里。

纯金的墙壁、钻石天花板、象牙回廊,更不可思议的是,一整座山都是钻石,一块完整的、毫无瑕疵的大钻石。

约翰享受了无尽奢华,连爱情都不期而至,但很快他就觉察到了危险。

华盛顿家对外人从来只许进不许出,因为钻石矿的消息一旦泄露,事情就不可收拾。

约翰一定会被杀死,就像那个五金批发商的女儿一样。

只是因为偶然的运气———逃跑的意大利人带来攻击机队,把整个钻石山炸毁,他才逃出生天。

表面上看来这只是个童话般的奇幻故事,但隐藏在其背后的正是菲茨杰拉德惯用的主题———美国梦的破灭。

一、美国梦的内涵和演变所谓的美国梦,有广义和狭义之分。

广义上指美国的自由、平等、民主,渊源可追溯到早期欧洲移民到北美新大陆开辟新生活的时期。

论《一颗像里茨饭店那么大的钻石》中的美国梦的破灭作者：徐剑莹来源：《赤峰学院学报·哲学社会科学版》2014年第01期摘要：F·司各特·菲茨杰拉德的大多数作品都和美国梦紧密相关，它赋予传统的美国梦以爵士时代的节奏和内容。

本文就其短篇小说《一颗像里茨饭店那么大的钻石》中对美国梦的描写，分析美国梦发展历程，揭示其破灭的必然性。

关键词：菲茨杰拉德；美国梦；破灭中图分类号：I3074 文献标识码：A 文章编号：1673-2596（2014）01-0200-02菲茨杰拉德是20世纪美国文坛的代表人物，虽然创作生涯充其量不过二十年，但却留下了四篇长篇小说和一百六十多篇短篇小说。

作为美国爵士时代的“桂冠诗人”和“编年史家”，他栩栩如生地重现了那个时代的社会风貌、生活气息和感情节奏。

更重要的是，在沉湎其中的同时，他又能冷眼旁观，体味“灯火阑珊，酒醒人散”的怅惘，用严峻的道德标准衡量一切，用凄婉的笔调书写了战后“迷惘的一代”对于美国梦幻灭的悲哀。

虽然菲茨杰拉德最出名的作品是他的长篇小说，他的短篇小说也取得了很高的艺术成就。

在他众多的作品中虽有平庸之作，但其中的上品绝对是美国短篇小说宝库中不可多得的瑰宝。

创作于1922年的《一颗像里茨饭店那么大的钻石》（以下称《钻石》）就是一个极好的例子。

小说的主人公约翰·昂格尔出生在中西部城镇的小商人家庭，家族生意的收入勉强能让他去读富家子弟的预科学校，在校期间结识了富有却很神秘的同学珀西·华盛顿。

当约翰接受了珀西的邀请，去他家度暑假时，一次踏上“黄金国”的奇幻之旅开始了。

起初，约翰还以为自己掉进了一个豪奢的梦境里。

纯金的墙壁、钻石天花板、象牙回廊，更不可思议的是，一整座山都是钻石，一块完整的、毫无瑕疵的大钻石。

约翰享受了无尽奢华，连爱情都不期而至，但很快他就觉察到了危险。

华盛顿家对外人从来只许进不许出，因为钻石矿的消息一旦泄露，事情就不可收拾。

本科毕业论文（二〇一一届）题目从《了不起的盖茨比》看“美国梦”的破灭学院专业汉语言文学班级学号学生姓名指导教师完成日期教务处制二〇一一年五月目录摘要.............................................................................................................. 2 关键词.. (2)Abstract............................................................................................................2 Keywords ........................................................................................................2 一、弗司各特菲茨杰拉德简介..............................................................2 二、“美国梦”的历史渊源和主题变奏......................................................4 三、作品中盖茨比“美国梦三部曲”的寻求与幻灭..................................5 （一）发财梦..........................................................................................5 （二）地位梦..........................................................................................8 （三）爱情梦..........................................................................................9 四、盖茨比美国梦破灭引起的思考............................................................12 注释........................................................................................................15 参考文献........................................................................................................16 致谢........................................................................................................18从《了不起的盖茨比》看“美国梦”的破灭摘要：对“美国梦”的形成与发展以及小说主人公盖茨比“美国梦”进行分析。

谈《了不起的盖茨比》中破灭的美国梦《了不起的盖茨比》使司各特·菲茨杰拉德一夜成名，他毫无争议的站在了上世纪二十年代美国文坛的前列，在美国文学史上有“迷惘的一代”的说法，他不仅是其中之一，而且才华横溢。

《了不起的盖茨比》是其经典之作，先后被译为多种语言，并被改变为电影，名噪一时。

司各特·菲茨杰拉德以美国第一次世界大战后的发展为背景，叙写了“迷惘的一代”的代表杰伊·盖茨比“美国梦”的幻灭，揭露了战争对社会风气的影响，以及人们价值观的改变，战后的泡沫经济催生了一批富翁，而这些人面对资产阶级的传统道德和现实的放荡不羁也感到纠结和无助，经济富足，但精神荒芜。

这个时代在菲茨杰拉德笔下被命名为“爵士时代”，他的作品客观真实，再现了那个时代美国社会的现状，以及人们的精神面貌。

菲茨杰拉德的作品掷地有声，可以说是这个时代的代言人，因此拥有“爵士时代的桂冠诗人”的美称。

一、《了不起的盖茨比》分析及“美国梦”的解读菲茨杰拉德是个多产的小作家，但小说《了不起的盖茨比》是他影响力最大的作品，评论界极力推荐，称其为二十年代美国现实社会的写照，具有无可取代的现实意义。

“美国梦”幻灭是小说的题旨，关于美国梦主题的探讨此起彼伏。

小说的主人翁盖茨比出身于贫寒家庭，有着自己心仪的爱情和梦中人，但战争震断了他的爱情梦。

战后，他寻觅曾经的意中人，却发现她早已移情别恋。

盖茨比认为是金钱所导致，所以在今后几年奋发致富，一举成为社会名流，拥有财产无数。

他痴心不改，建别墅遥望对岸的佳人，并数度举行宴会以引起“意中人”的注意，以便鸳梦重温。

最后被无情的社会现实和贬值的道义击碎，以死亡而告终。

盖茨比的悲剧具有一定的代表性，是“美国梦”发展的规律。

小说的构思很精巧，主线是故事的旁观者尼克·卡罗威。

1922年，年轻的尼克在别墅区租了一间房子，他的表妹黛西和丈夫汤姆·布坎南住在不远处的对岸。

尼克的隔壁每到周末便举行豪华盛大的宴会，招待客人无数，而客人们也不知道主人是谁。

论文论《了不起的盖茨比》中美国梦的破灭从《了不起的盖茨比》看美国梦的破灭摘要：弗朗西斯·司各特·菲茨杰拉尔德是美国“爵士时代”的代言人，他在其代表作《了不起的盖茨比》中以细腻的笔触表现了二十世纪二十年代美国的风貌，用主人公盖茨比的悲剧人生隐喻了“美国梦”的虚幻及其不可企及性，揭示了“美国梦”破灭的必然规律。

论文从作者和小说人物分析着手，通过对《了不起的盖茨比》的写作背景，作者自身的经历、故事的主要内容、小说主人公盖茨比之梦的破灭等多方面的分析和解剖,深刻地揭示了“美国梦”的发展与破灭。

本文第一部分简要介绍了菲茨杰拉尔德和他的小说《了不起的盖茨比》, 以及小说的社会和文化背景；第二部分介绍美国梦，包括它的定义，起源和内涵；第三部分分析美国梦及其破灭的原因；最后一部分我总结了一下这本小说，并提出了自己的观点。

关键词：了不起的盖茨比美国梦破灭爵士时代Analysis of the disillusion of American dream from" The Great Gatsby"Abstract: Francis ? Scott Fitzgerald, a spokesman of "the Jazz Age" in the United States.In his masterpiece,"The Great Gatsby”, he uses delicate brush strokes to show the style of American in the 1920s. Hero Gatsby's tragic life, as a metaphor for the illusory and entertainment of the "American Dream", reveals the inexorable law of the disillusion of "American dream".The paper begins with the analysis of the author and characters of the novel, which profoundly reveals the development and disillusion of “The American Dream” by analyzing and anatomizing writing background of "The Great Gatsby”, the author's own experience, the main content of the story, novel leading character Gatsby’s shattered dream andother aspects.The first part of this paper briefly introduces the Fitzgerald and his novel "The Great Gatsby", and the social and cultural background of the novel; the second part introduces the "American dream", including its definition, origin and connotation; the t hird part analyzes “the American dream” and its bursting reasons; At last, I summarize this novel and present my own point of view on the issue.Key words: the great Gatsby, the American dream, disillusion, Jazz ageCONTENTS摘要 (I)Abstract..... ............................................................................... ........................ ........ II Chapter One Introduction (I)1.1 Introduction of Scott Fitzgerald and his novel " The Great Gatsby" (1)1.1.1 Introduction of Scott Fitzgerald (1)1.2.2 Introduction of the novel " The Great Gatsby (1)1.2 Introduction of social and cultural background of the novel (2)Chapter T wo Introduction of American Dream (3)2.1 The definition of American dream (3)2.2 The origin of American dream (4)2.2.1 The traditional American dream (4)2.2.2 The American dream in 20th century (4)2.3 The connotation of American dream in different historical background (5)2.3.1 The American dream from 18th to 19th century (5)2.3.2 The American dream after Industrialization (6)2.3.3 The American dream in 21st century (6)2.4 The different interpretation to American dream (7)Chapter Three Analysis of the disillusion of American dream and its bursting reason...................................................................................(8)3.1 The disillusion of love (8)3.2 The disillusion of wealth................................................................................. .93.3 The disillusion of status (9)3.4 The bursting reason of American dream (10)3.4.1 From the point of view of the hero (10)3.4.2 From the point of view of the whole society and age (11)Chapter Four Conclusion (13)References (14)Acknowledgements (15)Chapter One Introduction1.1 Introduction of Scott Fitzgerald and his novel "The Great Gatsby"1.1.1 Introduction of Scott FitzgeraldFitzgerald was born in1896 into a St .Paul middle –class family .His father was gentlemanly but unsuccessful in business .Scott had an expensive education first in private schools ,and then at Princeton ,where he became part of the intellectual set ,the Triangle Club ,which included ,among others ,Edmund Wilson. He began to write for the shows of the club, became editor of a university magazine, and was developing a reputation .He felt that he was heading for the upper class life in which he would play a leading part as a writer.Then he had to leave Princeton ,probably partly because of his academic record that had suffered from his illness and from too heavy an extra-curriculum schedule and also because the First World War that was going on offered him a good excuse to stay away for a while . A year’s absence from the university wounded his pride and ambition so that it ironed itself into his consciousness as one of the major disappointments he suffered in his short, unhappy life .He returned to Princeton only to stay for another year in which he managed to finish the draft of his first novel, the Side of Paradise. Then in 1922, Fitzgerald finished his second novel, The Beautiful and the Damned. The Beautiful and the Damned is interesting especially as a sort of first attempt as writing is not as great .Meanwhile, the Fitzgerald were living, on the proceeds of Scott’s books and stories, the life of the people who go to Gatsby’s crazy parties. In 1925, he wrote his masterpiece, The Great Gatsby in Pairs. The Fitzgerald had gone there from Y ork and met Hemingway and Gertrude Stein, among others. (Referring to 美国文学史，第三版，南开大学出版社)1.1.2 Introduction of the novel "The Great Gatsby"" The Great Gatsby" is one of the most representative works of Fitzgerald. At the end of 20th Century, the United States academic authority selected the one hundred best novels in hundreds of years of history of English Literature," The Great Gatsby" enjoyed popular confidence, topping the second, and were proudly among the contemporary and classic ranks. The novel is use of impressionistic description, its style is of both warm and cool, and it has played an indispensable role in the history of literature of the world for the status of Fitzgerald.This novel is narrated by Nick, a young bachelor who returns to the Midwest before setting to the New Y ork City. Daisy, theheroine, is Nick’s second cousin and Nick knows of her husband, Tom. With the development of the novel, Nick knows that his next-door neighbor is the wealthy Gatsby，who always hosting lavish parties of hundreds of peoples, Jordan Baker takes interests in Nick, and he reveals that In 1917 Gatsby as Army Lieutenant stationed near Daisy’s hometown and then had fallen in love with Daisy. But Gatsby had no money to marry Daisy, so Daisy wasmarried to the wealthy T om, after that Gatsby is aiming to be a millionaire. With few years of smuggling, Gatsby accumulates a great amount of wealth. He would like Nick to arrange a meeting with Daisy, and Nick agrees to invite Gatsby and Daisy to his house, so they begin a love affair again. But actually, Daisy only treats this relationship as an exciting game. Daisy invites Gatsby and Nick to her mansion and Tom finds that Gatsby loves Daisy. Tom knows Daisy’s nature very well. And by taking away Daisy’s financial security, Tom thinks that Daisy is no w beyond his reach. Because of the situation between them, Daisy runs out of the hotel and Gatsby follows her into his car. Daisy insists on driving because it will calm her moods. But in the later Daisy knocks down and kills Myrtle, Tom’s mistress. Gatsby absolve Daisy from her guilty to protect her. After that Tom talks into Myrtle’s husband to shoot Gatsby dead. So the magic bubble of love and dreams broke up. Despite Nick’s efforts, only Gatsby’s father, a woman and Nick attend his funeral. Discussing with Tom and Daisy, Nick returns to his hometown, reflecting on Gatsby’s dreams and cyclical nature of the past.1.2 Introduction of social and cultural background of the novelIt's a special era in the history of the United States when theWorld War I (1918) ended; the Great Depression (1929) was not yet to come. During pre-war of the world warⅠ, the United States profiteered. In the post-war, it won a precious opportunity of developing economy. Due to the cruelty of the war, many people had doubtable attitude towards the traditional values, such as honor, democracy, freedom and lost faith, thus indulging in pleasure. In addition, traditional Puritan ethics disintegrated, and hedonism began to flourish. The economy of the U.S experienced a rapid development of the postwar and dramatic change that the crash of New Y ork stock market brought, so the economy of U.S has experienced recession for10 years. Affluent and easy life in the post-war made people dizzy in the bustle. While at this time, American intellectuals had fled, and spent his lonely youth in pain and confusion.What's more, it was a changeable and rebellious era when the younger generation finally chose to break with tradition. In Fitzgerald's words, "That is a miraculous era and an era full of mockery." Fitzgerald called this era the "Jazz Age".At that time, with the introduction of radio and the end of the war, jazz and dance emerged. Jazz became an entirely new cultural movement in places, such as the United States, England and France. Cities, such as New Y ork and Chicago, were cultural centers of jazz. In urban areas, African American jazz was played on the radio more often than in the suburbs. The youth of 1920s, influenced by jazz, rebelled against the traditional culture of previous generations.Chapter Two Introduction of American Dream2.1 The definition of American DreamThe term, "American dream" was first used by James Truslow Adams in his book "The Epic of American" which was written in1931. The American Dream is a dream that had land where every one could live a better and richer and fuller life. What’s more, everyone had opportunity to match ability with achievement.It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us have grown wearily and mistrusted it. It is not merely a dream of motor cars or high wages, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain the fullest stature and be recognized by others for who they are, regardless of the condition or position of birth."The so-called American Dream is a kind of belief that as long as people went through a hard struggle in the United States, they will be able to achieve a better ideal life. That is, people must work diligently, courageously, creatively, and have determination to success, rather than rely on a particular social class and the assistance of others. This usually showed the economic success of people or entrepreneur’s spirit. Many Euro pean immigrants which having the ideal of American dream moved towards the United States. Despite some criticized the American dream excessively emphasized on the role of material wealth played in the measure of victory and happiness. But many Americans really believed that such an opportunity to get success cannot be found in the world. As different from the most other countries, the United States had considerable economic freedom; the role of government is limited, making the U.S. has a great social mobility. Any person may go towards the top through their own efforts. From Independence of the United States to the end of the 19th century, large areas of land were uninhabited and unoccupied by people. Anyone could occupy, invest and reclaim to lands. By the time of the Industrial Revolution, the hugenatural resources of United States and advanced industrial technology made rapid social mobility possible, and this trend is still increasing day by day.According to the historians, they think that the reason why the economy of the United States rapidly develops and industry expand is not just because the United States has rich natural resources, but also because everyone has the opportunity to get wealth through their own struggle .2.2 The origin of American Dream2.2.1 The traditional American DreamThe term “American Dream” is first used by American writer and historian James Truslow Adams in his book The Epic of America written in 1931.He defined American Dream as "dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, everyone has an opportunity according to their ability or achievement"(James Truslow Adams, 1980) . Oneimportant feature of the definition is that everyone agrees with the equality of opportunity in succeeding, regardless of social class and circumstance of birth. The archetype of American Dream is Benjamin Franklin who is one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Without noble birth and top education, Franklin learned almost everything and succeeded in many aspects, including literature, science, philosophy and politics. Benjamin Franklin pioneered the spirit of self-help in America (Jim Powell, 1997). In the Declaration of Independence, there is a sentence which has been called one of the most famous sentences in the English language goes like this: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, including the right to life, liberty and the right of the pursuit ofHappiness. This sentence also represents a concept that everyone is born equal and has inalienable rights in pursuing freedom and happiness. Influenced by Dr Franklin, more and more Americans believe that in the country of equality, one can obtain both physical and spiritual wealth through one’s efforts. On the other hand, the American Dream may come from the ideals of the first group of immigrates. When settlers come to a land full of vitality and freedom, they have dreams to turn the land into their paradise. At that time, American Dream was equal to the ownership of farm, thus lead to the Westward Movement.2.2.2 The American Dream in 20th centuryIn 1920s, the American society enjoyed economic prosperity after the World War I. Such as automobiles, moving pictures and radio, these new inventions and discoveries were made significant changes to lifestyle and culture. Unprecedented industrial growth and accelerated consumer demand made the era known as “the Roaring Twenties”. The American Dream at that time has gradually changed into money-making. The Roaring Twenties is an age of explosion of social wealth and billionaire, but also is an age of spiritual poverty. Y oung generations suffered from the trauma of body and spirit; because of war they lose confidence to future. The urban society is full of depravity and corruption, consumerism and materialism become the major theme of the American Dream. People like Gatsby used all means to make money despite of moral and legal standards. From all that mentioned above, the definition of the "American Dream" has changed over the development of history. But it still acts as a core value in America and influences people from generation to generation.2.3 The connotation of American Dream in different historicalbackground300 years ago, when England emigrants to Maryland cross the Atlantic by the "May flower" and when they were looking for a piece of "pure land" in which the Puritans can lived, American Dream" has begun to quietly sprout. The United States gave everyone of the world an equal opportunity. Y ou can realize their dream as long as you work hard enough.300 years later, it has become powerful county. However," American Dream" did not die, but it has more" connotation" with the changes of history.W hat is the" American Dream"? “Many historians and sociologists have different perspectives, and different Americans have different interpretation.But generally speaking, the "American dream" includes several elements: the United States offered the chances of success for everyone. Success depends on their talents and efforts, rather than family and the background. Everyone has equal rights. Everyone has freedom of brief......These elements are inextricably linked with the history and must also be combined with the background." said Lang Mailer.2.3.1 The American Dream from 18th to 19th centuryAmerican dream in 18th-19th century is the original dream of land and gold. From 18th to 19th century, the nobility had not quit the stage of history. Social hierarchy was stern, and the distribution of wealth was inequitable, religious discrimination was serious in Europe. Montesquieu, Descartes and so many pioneers of the enlightenment movement began to praise American magical land, which sparked the "American dream" of the vulnerable groups. Immigrants which came to the United States in 18th century were vulnerable groups from Europe. Themost typical people are the Puritan of England and bankrupt small farmers of Germany. When they came to America which was still a colony, their requirements for political equality were particularly strong, and they also spontaneously carried out democracy. Thus, the "equal rights" has become a connotation of the "American dream".Mailer explained, "Everyone can succeed." Due to the vast land and small population in the early American, immigrants can get a large area of fertile land. At that time, the United States is based on agricultural economy, it is self-evident that the "land means wealth, and means success". As the western American found many gold mine in the end of the 18th century and early 19th century, and some lucky started became rich overnight because mining the gold, the legend of the "wave of gold rush" promoted the tide of immigration westward, but also casted a deep golden color for the "American dream".However, there is a bloody history behind of "American dream. The large tracts of land of European immigrants were "stateless place" and they got through killing millions of Indians; Most of cultivators of productive farmland were slaves which looting from Africa; the labors which mining gold in the westward were the drudgery of Chinese .It can be said that the early "American Dream" is European immigrants’ dream. Mailer pointed out that many of the contempor ary American history scholars are facing and reflecting this period of history, which is unjust side of the "American dream".2.3.2 The American Dream after IndustrializationDuring the Civil War, the United States began the industrialization. European immigrants mostly accessed to New Y ork, Chicago, Detroit and other emerging industrial city. Then,the "American Dream" has a new connotation. During that period, there were a lot of commercial and industrial giants. For example, Edison who depended on personal invention and created the General Electric Company, Rockefeller who mined oil, Morgan who was engaged in the bank, and Ford who invented the automobile production line. Their common characteristic is: first they are poor, but finally they founded their big career through hard work and became a legend. Perhaps, these "legend" were beautified more or less by later generations. Even the so-called "the invention of Edison” also was the results of many his assistants. Mailer thought that, at that time the United States has been in a period of rapid economic expansion. Before the first World War, the United States has became the most strongest country of economic power in the world and the domestic economy operation is in a stages of change " from disorderly to orderly" ,and the various industries appeared wealthy oligarchs.2.3.3 The American Dream in 21st centuryIn the information era of 21st century, Microsoft's Bill Gates, yahoo's jerry Y ang and Google's director, these three founders turned into new idols of the "American dream". By virtue of their own wisdom, they accumulated the huge assets of billions of dollars when they were young. Their living story seems to indicate that as long as there is wisdom and genius, you can succeed in the United States.What is the real driving force behind the "American dream"? Some historians believe that it is the desire and chase for wealth. "The pursuit of money is the same ingredients in the 'American Dream'". However, it is exactly that over pursuit of wealth that makes the "American Dream" turn sour and gradually lost its appeal to people around the world. If the early Americans alsoadvocate “honesty and diligence" to get rich, today they are increasingly keen to pursuit of "getting rich quick". For example, now Americans mostly respected the way to which gets rich is: to fight lawsuit for compensation with the big enterprises, to go gambling or to buy lottery tickets in the Las V egas, and to take part in a television game.Early Europeans immigrated to the United States believed in the equality of political rights and religious equality. Today, the American politics has evolved into a money game. V osel did not deny that success of the success of Bush family in the American politics is "the success of oil and money ". In the field of religion, the freedom advocated by the United States was limited in all denominations of Christian, and the Islam which rarely has little money to support and was only in the position of extremely weakness in the United States.In changing times, the appeal of the "American dream" to the world may be less andless.The hegemony and monopoly of American in the world politics causes many foreigners to be full of offensive as soon as they mention the word "American". An anti-terrorism bill block the way of a lot of immigrants into the United States; the speculation of economy make the common person forever fear their wealth suddenly disappears.2.4 The different interpretation to American dreamAmerican dream is not only a kind of version; some writers give the readers a new enlightenment from different perspectives. “the Grapes of Wrath" written by John Steinbeck described that the hero had to be forced to leave his hometown under the background of the" Great Depression" and drought. However, the exploitation to labor still makes their lives more distressed."Native Son" of Richard White and the" invisible man" of Ralph Ellison reflect the poverty and racism that discourage the people from the opportunity of the pursuit of development. "The Street "of Ann peltry recognizes the hardships of black mothers’raising children. From the point of view of the great social and age background, it is just a microscopic and idealized perspective that people will be able to realize the dream only through personal struggle. "Seize the Day" of Saul Bellow tells the story that the hero did not achieve the American dream, but realized his own growth. Compared with the traditional sense of American dream, a meaningful life is a better dream. The writer of “The house on Mango Street" , Sandra Cisneros ,expressed the desire for freedom, no ethnic discrimination, no sexual discrimination and a thinking of women’s pursuit of dreams through the point of view of a little girl. For women, the connotation of "a house truly belonging to their own" is richer.Chapter Three Analysis of the disillusion of American dream and itsbursting reasonAs the great depression in the 1930's put the prosperity and vanity of" Jazz Age" to an end, the failure of Gatsby finally showed that the so-called American dream is a false image. Though Gatsby lived in a seemingly extravagant life, he never successfully achieved their ultimate goal, that is to say, he lost all aspects: love, wealth and status.3.1 The disillusion of loveThe "American dream" of Gatsby was presented in his "love dream”. He believe d that money could buy Daisy's love. The reason why he was attracted by Daisy is that money decorated her as a noble princess, keeping her away from humble,unsecured life connected with poor. And thiskind of life was Gatsby familiar with in teens. As a farmers' child, the vanity of Gatsby satisfied greatly owing to staying with Daisy's, which shows his potential. He could become a rich man and a member of the high society with his own efforts. Loving a rich lady gave him great courage and driving force moving forward. However, Daisy did not Love him as deeply as he had imagined, she was just enveloped an ideal circle by his desire and his selfless love.Five years later, sometimes even if he was sure that Daisy whom he missed the day and night was not as beautiful as he imaged. But his dream beyond all, in this kind support of fantasy, Gatsby wanted to regain Daisy's heart. In fact, the determinations and motivations he wanted to regain Daisy were not from the unforgotten of Daisy, but from the call from heart to make dreams come true and his strong desire for bright future. Here, Daisy is the "love dream" of Gatsby. He put his ideal of life on Daisy, while Gatsby just chose a wrong object. Daisy is just a girl who heavily values money and status rather than love, so she only can represent illusory and worthless things. She can't be the embodiment of love and happiness, and could not bring meaning and sati sfaction to Gatsby’s life. Dais y met Gatsby again, and renewed old friendships with him, but she jointly planed Gatsby’s death with her husband. Her final selfishness, the ultimate betrayal, all these were inevitable. Daisy chose the latter between Gatsby and Tom, because the latter can provide her more stable, secure and comfortable life for her. "They are rich and cruel people. It is their maxim to destroy the others but to protect themselves.Although their world was not harmonious, the two peoplehad “little nonsense", they were partners of the same faction. If a third people threatened their Common security, it was natural for them to league to unanimously resist outside after a moment's discussion, Faced with cruel reality, Gatsby's dream was destroyed, and his efforts ended with failure. He finally realized that the past time could not come back; the unrealized dream was difficult to review. Therefore, his dreams, his soul and his body died together.In Gatsby's mind, Daisy was beautiful and pure, who symbolized all the virtues of American high society. Gatsby regarded Daisy as the incarnation of his pursuit of beauty, and then the tragedy of his life' started. In fact, his efforts to pursue the so-called beauty were alienated by money. It is not significant but tragic that he spared no efforts to realize dream. In the end, love in expense of life disil lusioned, while” America dream" of Gatsby was shattered.3.2 The disillusion of wealthThe “American Dream"of Gatsby also shows in his "wealth dream". Te former name of Gatsby known as “Jay G ats", his parents were crops person of mediocrity, he was eager to get rid of poverty ,and ranked among the upper class of society. At the age of 17years old, Gats met a man who named Dan Cody, and got fortune by the illegal behaviors. Little Gats admired him very much, and then he changed his name into Gatsby and followed Cody. Gatsby took the ideal focused on the acquiring of wealth. Because when Dan Cody was sober, he knew if he was drunk, he would do many stupid things, like profligacy. So he grew to trust Gatsby in order to prevent this kind of accidents from happening. After Dan Cody died, Gatsby used his heritage which was gained from Dan Cody to illegal sale private wine, andamassed a large of fortune.But for Gatsby no matter how rich, he still tried to blend in the upper circles which he has long wanted, just because of his humble birth. Finally, he has become their excellent material of suspicion and rumors for the upper class of the so-called celebrities. As constantly suspicion of people, his illegal businesses were eventually exposed by Tom. He worked hard to create material wealth, and it did not help him achieve pursuit, his dream of wealth was shattered. After Gatsby was died, the former guests did not show up in his funeral which Nick held for him, bleak and desolate in the funeral and hustle and bustle of the former party were clearly constituted a sharp contrast, it showed that he did not get the recognition of the upper class.3.3 The disillusion of statusAlthough during that time freedom and equality have been advocated, the social hierarchy was still exists. Jay Gatsby made all efforts to squeeze into the upper class, and he became to be admired and respected by other people. He wants everything that a man of noble birth has: a large amount of money, a splendid mansion and a satisfactory marriage. After he obtains these things, he gains money at all costs, he hosts party frequently in his mansion to show his riches, and he pursues Daisy as a qualified wife for a decent man. The description in Chapter three gives us a vivid picture about the extravagance of Gatsby’s life: There was music from my neighbor’s house through the summer nights. In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whispering and champagne and the stars … (F. Scott Fitzgerald, 1993 .26) Besides showing off his wealth, he even changed his name to cover up his humble birth. When Nick asked about his life, he。

一颗像里茨‎饭店那么大‎的钻石两个少年在‎这一个个房‎间组成的迷‎宫中闲步。

有时在他们‎脚下，地板下面照‎明的灯光会‎绚丽地现出‎种种图案:粗犷而刺目‎的图案，色彩柔和的‎图案，纯白的、精致而复杂‎的嵌花式图‎案，这些款式无‎疑是按照亚‎得里亚海边‎的哪座清真‎寺仿造出来‎的。

有时在一层‎层厚厚的水‎晶砖下面，他会看见湛‎蓝的、或者碧绿的‎水在打着漩‎儿，水中有活泼‎泼的游鱼和‎生长着彩虹‎似的叶簇的‎植物。

接着他们会‎踏上各种不‎同质地和颜‎色的毛皮，或者穿过一‎道道洁白的‎象牙构筑的‎回廊，象牙那么完‎美无损，仿佛是从人‎类出现的时‎代以前就已‎灭绝的恐龙‎的巨大长牙‎上完整地切‎下来的……后来，一动也没有‎动，毫无抗拒地‎，他似乎浮了‎起来，飘走了，留下了一份‎冰镇的甜点‎心，像是一个粉‎红粉红的梦‎……他酣然入睡‎了。

当他醒来的‎时候，他知道已经‎过了好几个‎钟头了。

他睡在一个‎静寂无声的‎大房间里，周围是紫檀‎木的墙壁，暗暗的灯光‎，显得那么微‎弱，那么轻淡，简直不能称‎作是光。

他的年轻主‎人正俯身站‎在他的身边‎。

“你在餐桌上‎睡着了，”珀西说。

“我也差点儿‎睡着啦。

过了这一年‎的学校生活‎，又能这样舒‎服，真是太美啦‎。

你睡着的时‎候，仆人们给你‎脱了衣服，洗了一个澡‎。

”“我这是睡在‎床上还是睡‎在云朵里啊‎？”约翰叹息道‎。

“珀西，珀西——在你走开之‎前，我得向你道‎歉。

”“为什么？”“因为你曾说‎你们有一颗‎像里茨卡尔‎顿饭店那么‎大的钻石，我当时不相‎信你的话。

”珀西微微一‎笑。

“我当时就想‎，你准不相信‎我的话。

就是那座山‎，你知道。

”“什么山？”“城堡就坐落‎在这座山上‎。

从一座山来‎说，这并不是一‎座很大的山‎。

可是除了山‎顶上大约五‎十英尺厚的‎草皮和碎石‎子以外，就全是钻石‎。

一颗大钻石‎，一立方英里‎，没有一点瑕‎疵。

你在听我说‎话吗？你说——”可是约翰·T.昂格尔又睡‎熟了。

《了不起的盖茨比》中的美国梦破灭有何警示《了不起的盖茨比》是美国作家菲茨杰拉德的经典之作，以其深刻的社会洞察和动人的情节，展现了美国梦的破灭以及背后所蕴含的警示。

故事发生在 20 世纪 20 年代的美国，这是一个经济繁荣、物欲横流的时代。

主人公盖茨比出身贫寒，但他心怀对财富和地位的强烈渴望，凭借自身的努力和机遇，积累了巨额财富。

然而，他所追求的不仅仅是物质的富足，更是心中的爱情梦想——与初恋黛西重归于好。

盖茨比将黛西视为美国梦的象征，认为只要拥有足够的财富和地位，就能重新赢得她的心。

为了吸引黛西的注意，他在长岛举办奢华的派对，夜夜笙歌。

但黛西早已不是他记忆中的那个纯洁女孩，她嫁给了富有却庸俗的汤姆，过上了虚荣的生活。

当盖茨比终于与黛西重逢，他以为自己找到了梦想的归宿，却未曾料到这只是一场虚幻的泡影。

黛西在面临选择时，毫不犹豫地抛弃了盖茨比，重新回到了汤姆的身边。

最终，盖茨比为了保护黛西，承担了莫须有的罪名，被汤姆的情妇的丈夫开枪打死。

而在他死后，那些曾经在他的派对上狂欢的人们却没有一个前来吊唁，黛西也与汤姆远走高飞。

盖茨比的悲剧命运揭示了美国梦破灭的残酷现实。

首先，美国梦过于强调物质的追求和成功的表象。

人们往往将财富、地位和物质享受视为梦想的核心，而忽略了精神层面的追求和内在的价值。

盖茨比为了追求财富不择手段，甚至涉足非法活动，这种对物质的盲目追求使他失去了自我，也让他的梦想变得脆弱而空洞。

其次，社会的阶级固化和不公平是美国梦破灭的重要原因。

尽管盖茨比通过努力获得了财富，但他始终无法真正融入上层社会。

上层社会的人们对他的出身抱有偏见，不愿真正接纳他。

这种阶级的隔阂和不平等使得普通人想要通过努力改变命运变得异常艰难，也让美国梦成为了一个遥不可及的幻想。

再者，人性的弱点和道德的沦丧也在一定程度上导致了美国梦的破灭。

黛西的虚荣和自私，汤姆的虚伪和不忠，以及社会上人们的冷漠和无情，都反映了当时社会道德的缺失。

“迷惘的一代”与美国梦作者：王圣瑶来源：《文艺生活·中旬刊》2018年第02期摘要：“迷惘的一代”是美国文学史上的一个思潮，它产生于第一次世界大战之后，繁荣于两次世界大战之间，之后被现代主义浪潮所取代。

“迷惘的一代”的作家们大都经历过一战，在战争中受到了肉体和心灵的双重伤害，对战争结束后的繁荣社会抱有幻想，却最终大失所望。

而美国梦，则是一剂催化剂，使得那个战后的短暂繁荣时期的化学反应更加剧烈，接受了这一思想刺激的美国人，开始奋发向上，努力发财致富，改变自己的人生轨迹。

“迷惘的一代”青年们，正生活在美国梦刺激下的这个独特的时期，然而美国梦不但没有激励他们前进，反而使他们的情况更加恶化。

此时，原本就迷惘的青年们，被极其丰富的物质财富一再刺激，使更加不知何去何从，一味耽于享乐。

在某种程度上可以说，美国梦变成了“迷惘的一代”青年们的噩梦。

对这些生活在美国梦刺激下的迷惘的青年作家及其作品进行研究，将使我们更加清楚地认识那个光怪陆离的时代，以及那个时代青年们的普遍特征。

同样，跟随着这些优秀作家的目光，我们也能更加清楚的认识到美国梦的虚无甚至罪恶本质，以及它终将破灭的现实。

关键词：迷惘的一代；爵士时代；美国梦一、“迷惘的一代”产生的历史背景20世纪初，世界经历了一场浩劫，第一次世界大战在无情地夺去了无数生命的同时，更在人们心中留下了无法弥补的创伤。

武器的大规模使用，使得生命看起来更加脆弱，更加不堪一击，人们不再像过去那样沉浸在工业文明的美梦中，而是亲眼见识到了它的可怕之处。

信仰遭遇了危机，人们意识到，对上帝的虔信并没有使他们脱离苦海；理性遭遇了危机，哲学家们站在时代的制高点上看到了曾经帮助人们摆脱蒙昧的理性，又使人们掉入了新的牢笼中。

文明遭遇了危机，在有些人看来西方文明已经衰落，英雄时代的那些美好品质，古典主义的高贵典雅，浪漫主义的如梦似幻都已经一去不返，留下的只有肮脏的现实。

就像菲茨杰拉德曾说的那样，“他们是新的一代，长大以后发现所有的神祗已经死去、所有的战争已经打完、所有对人类的信念已经动摇”。

了不起的盖茨比：美国梦与虚无的破灭简介《了不起的盖茨比》是美国作家F·斯科特·菲茨杰拉德于1925年出版的小说。

该小说通过描绘上世纪20年代的纽约社交界，探讨了美国梦以及人性中存在的虚无和破灭。

本文将从以下几个方面来探讨这一主题。

美国梦的理念美国梦是指每个美国人都有机会通过努力工作、决心和毅力实现自己的目标，追求成功、财富和幸福。

在《了不起的盖茨比》中，作者透过各个角色展示了对美国梦的追求和向往。

1.盖茨比对于美国梦的追求：主人公盖茨比是一个年轻有为、富有魅力的男子，他希望通过致富实现自己与黛西（Daisy）重聚并拥有她。

他利用各种手段追逐金钱和社会地位，视金钱为衡量成功与幸福的标志。

2.社交界对于美国梦的追求：纽约的社交界是富豪和名流们展示财富与地位的舞台。

人们通过参加派对、拥有豪宅和名车，来彰显自己对于美国梦的实现。

3.珍妮（Myrtle Wilson）和乔治（George Wilson）：这对夫妇也在追求美国梦，他们渴望摆脱贫困，过上更好的生活。

然而，他们却陷入了虚假的幻象中，最终以悲剧收场。

虚无与破灭尽管《了不起的盖茨比》描绘了人们对美国梦的种种追求，但同时也表达了虚无和破灭的主题。

以下是描述虚无和破灭的几个要点：1.盖茨比追求黛西：盖茨比通过致富来吸引黛西，并以为能重拾过去的感情。

然而，在黛西心里，金钱与地位并不是幸福和真爱所依赖的因素。

2.社交界背后的空虚：纽约社交界看似繁荣充实，但在派对和酒精欢乐之下，人们实际上感到孤独和空虚。

他们的生活只是表面的炫耀，内心却没有真正的情感和意义。

3.梦幻与现实的冲突：小说中使用了许多象征手法来强调梦幻与现实的对立。

通过揭示盖茨比追求黛西的梦想最终破灭，作者传达了虚无空荡和理想破碎的主题。

总结《了不起的盖茨比》通过展示美国梦以及虚无与破灭的主题，揭示了20世纪20年代美国社会中人性的一面。

这部小说通过精彩的故事和深刻的象征手法，使读者思考追求财富和地位是否能带来真正的幸福，并提醒我们审视并珍惜真实而有意义的生活。

《了不起的盖茨比》——美国梦的虚幻与破灭作品：《了不起的盖茨比》（The Great Gatsby）作品背景：《了不起的盖茨比》是美国作家 F. Scott Fitzgerald于1925年出版的小说，被誉为美国现代文学的经典之作。

小说主要讲述了20世纪20年代美国的社交场景，通过讲述富翁盖茨比和他对待爱情的执着和痴迷，以及他追求美国梦的努力和破灭，揭示了美国社会中的虚荣和空虚。

评论：《了不起的盖茨比》是一部充满美国梦的虚幻和破灭的小说。

在小说中，盖茨比被描绘成一个追求美国梦的人，他用自己的努力和才华成为了一个富翁，但是他却没有真正得到他想要的东西。

他的爱情梦想破灭了，他的社交地位受到质疑，最终他在充满虚伪和荒唐的社交场景中失去了自己。

小说中的盖茨比是一个追求真正的爱情和幸福的人，但是他的追求却成为了他最大的痛苦。

他对于自己的爱情充满了执着和痴迷，但是这种痴迷却只能让他更加孤独和疏离。

他追求的美国梦也只是一场幻象，他通过自己的努力和才华获得了社交地位和财富，但是这些东西却不能给他带来真正的幸福和满足。

相反，他的社交地位只让他更加孤独和无助，他的财富只让他更加虚伪和空虚。

总之，《了不起的盖茨比》是一部描绘美国社会中虚荣和空虚的经典小说。

它通过讲述一个人追求美国梦的故事，揭示了美国梦的虚幻和破灭，让人们思考什么才是真正的幸福和价值。

《红高粱家族》——一部反映历史与人性的巨著《红高粱家族》是著名作家莫言的代表作之一，以一个山村红高粱家族三代人的命运为线索，全面反映了中国大陆20世纪30年代至70年代的社会历史和人性变迁。

小说以红高粱家族为主线，贯穿了整个中国大陆的政治、经济、文化、军事等多个领域的变迁，真实反映了近代中国的历史发展轨迹。

小说以诗意的叙事手法和独特的意象，将宏大的历史背景和微小的个人命运有机地结合起来。

小说的独特叙事风格、情节紧凑、情感真挚、语言优美，使它成为中国当代文学的经典之作。

小说中塑造的人物形象鲜明、深刻，不仅反映出中国传统文化的独特魅力，也表现了社会历史与人性的复杂性。

美国梦的破灭———论《了不起的盖茨比》中的物质主义和理想主义范登伟(郑州大学外语学院　河南郑州　450001)[摘　要]　文章试图从一个新的角度解读阐释美国作家费茨杰拉德的小说《了不起的盖茨比》的主题内涵。

文章认为,《了不起的盖茨比》是20世纪20年代美国社会的寓言故事,盖茨比的梦想是“美国梦”的代表和化身,盖茨比的死亡是物质主义和理想主义严重对立和冲突的结果,它象征着“美国梦”的破灭。

[关键词]　美国梦;理想主义;物质主义;死亡;破灭[中国图书分类号]　I7121074 [文献标识码]　A [文章编号]　1008-9144(2006)01-0066-02 在美国作家费茨杰拉德的众多小说当中贯穿着一个基本主题,即关于美国人对幸福生活渴求的历史。

这一基本主题体现在两个方面:对幸福的追求及成功者的范例对人们形成的诱惑力。

在美国,人们将之称为“美国梦”。

费茨杰拉德通过对“美国梦”的剖析,既发现了其存在的普遍性,又发现了其对人们形成的负面影响,警示人们要引起警惕。

费茨杰拉德许多小说中的主人公都是因受到“美国梦”的诱惑而不择手段地追求物质财富最终却被物质所摧毁。

一般来讲,“美国梦”有两个内涵。

一是对美的追求,渴望留住青春,而青春、美丽则往往是和美国的有闲阶层联系在一起的,费茨杰拉德小说的主题也多半写的是这一阶层的生活。

那些怀有“美国梦”的人出于内心深处对美的渴求而受到这一梦想的诱惑,而这一梦想的依托却是那些内心空虚、不负责任的有闲阶层的女人,故虚幻的“美国梦”既暗含着逃避,又喻含着毁灭。

“美国梦”的第二内涵就是获取金钱。

纵观美国历史,自英国清教徒在美洲大陆定居之后,物质方面的成功一直是个人奋斗的理想;正是由于“美国梦”对物质财富的崇尚,才使人们认为有了金钱就会买到一切,包括爱情。

费茨杰拉德既从道德的角度又从朴素的马克思主义观点出发,分析批判了美国社会中的“财阀野心”及其诱惑给人们带来的毁灭性代价。

“美国梦”这两个内涵联系在一起并合而为一,成为一代又一代美国人的生活梦想:青春、美丽往往和一个特殊的阶级(有闲阶层)联系在一起,而这一阶级的辉煌却建立在不平等、不公正的社会基础之上;美被商业化了,爱成了可以买卖的东西,而金钱则是获取青春、美人、爱情的惟一途径。

《了不起的盖茨比》读后感：繁华的幻影，美国梦的破灭章节一：引言《了不起的盖茨比》是美国作家斯科特·菲茨杰拉德创作的一部经典小说。

通过主人公盖茨比的故事，小说揭示了繁华社会的虚幻与美国梦的破灭。

这部小说以其深刻的思考和精湛的描写，给人们留下了深刻的印象。

在读完这部小说后，我对繁华的幻影和美国梦的破灭有了更深层次的理解。

章节二：繁华的幻影小说的背景设置在上世纪二十年代的美国，这是一个繁荣的时代，也是一个充满繁华和虚荣的时代。

小说中的盖茨比就是一个追逐梦想的人，他通过自己的努力，成为了一个身家丰厚的富翁。

然而，他繁华的生活却只是一个幻影，只是为了追求他爱的女人黛西而创造出来的。

在小说中，盖茨比的豪宅被描绘得宛如童话世界。

华丽的宴会、奢华的装饰和狂欢的氛围，都使人们沉醉其中。

然而，仔细观察就会发现，这些奢华只是表面的东西，没有真正的内涵。

盖茨比虽然拥有了金钱和财富，但他却无法获得真正的幸福和满足。

章节三：美国梦的破灭小说中的盖茨比追求的不仅仅是金钱和财富，更是他对黛西的爱情。

然而，他的爱情却被现实所粉碎，美国梦也在这个过程中被破灭了。

黛西在盖茨比的眼中是完美无瑕的，他将她视为自己的梦想和追求。

然而，当他与黛西重逢后，却发现她已经和他人结婚，并且过着富裕而舒适的生活。

通过盖茨比的遭遇，菲茨杰拉德揭示了美国梦的虚幻和脆弱。

在这个社会中，金钱和社会地位成为了衡量一个人成功与否的标准。

然而，这种标准却忽略了内心的追求和真正的幸福。

盖茨比通过追求黛西来实现他的梦想，但最终却只能面对现实的残酷。

章节四：人性的扭曲除了繁华的幻影和美国梦的破灭，小说中还展现了人性的扭曲。

通过盖茨比和其他角色的描写，我们看到了人性中的欲望、虚荣和冷漠。

盖茨比为了追求自己的梦想，不惜一切代价，甚至牺牲了自己的生命。

而其他角色，如黛西和汤姆，也只顾自己的欲望而忽视了别人的感受。

小说中的人物形象都是复杂而有深度的，他们的内心世界和行为都被描绘得极为细腻。