英语硕士学位论文从《了不起的盖茨比》中看美国梦的破灭.doc

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1、浙江大学硕士学位论文从ltlt了不起的盖茨比gtgt中看美国梦的破灭The Collapse of The American Dream Represented in The GreatGatsby姓名：赵婉清申请学位级别：硕士专业：英语语言文学指导教师：殷企平谭惠娟20041201 TheCollapseoftheAmericanDreamRepresented intheGreatGatsby Abstract AmericanDreamexistedineveryAmericansheartbutitwasintangible.American people were proud of

2、their American dreams and Americanmysteries fromone generation to another generationtherefore therewere alarge number of works in American literatures history describing AmericanDream. F. Scott. Fitzgerald is famous American writer of The Lost Generationwho is also the spokesman of “Jazz Age. His ma

3、sterpiece The Great Gatsbyfully revealed the realization and the collapse of American Dream in 1920s.ThereareseveralreasonstoexplainthecollapseofAmericanDream:withtheunprecedented economical prosperity after WWI influencedby the AmericanDreamnumerouspeopleswarmedintotheurbanarea.Thevariousstagesofso

4、cietyarerunningformoneyandachievingtheirpurposesbydifferentwaysmany American people stuck into confused helpless idle confused mentalstate. The over fanatics of materialism was vibrating the root of traditionalconceptofAmericanDreamThereforethepursuitofultrahighenjoymentofthe material corruption of

5、individual moral and social reasons such as WorldWarIthrowingtheyoungmenintoanageofalienationdissentienteconomicbloomaffectingthepromisingmenandcorruptionofsocialmoraleventuallyled to Gatsbys dreams and the sacred American Dream in every Americanheartshattered. This paper would briefly analyze the d

6、evelopment American dream onthis basis people would perceive the theme of the American dream in themajor works of Fitzgerald moreover it also would analyze the root whichcausestheAmericandreamshattered.Keywords:AmericanDreamGayGatsbycollapseroot AcknowledgementsThecompletionofthisthesisisduetothecon

7、tributionandeffortsofseveralpeopletowhomIoweagreatdealofgratitudeandappreciationFirstofall，1wouldliketoexpressmyheartfeltthankstoProfessorYinQipingandProfessorTanHuijuan，whohavebeengivingmeinvaluableinstructionandencouragementthroughoutthewholeprocessTheysqueezedtimeoutofpressingschedulestoprovideme

8、withenlighteningsuggestionsandtimelyhelpwithgreatpatienceWithouttheirguidanceandsupport，itscompletionwouldbeimpossibleIshouldalsoexpressmysinceregratitudetoProfessorZhuJiongqiang，ProfessorGaoFen，ProfessorWangLiyun，ProfessorChenGang，forthevariousinsightfullecturesandconstructiveinstructionstheyhavegi

9、venmeIRITIespeciallygratefultomycolleaguesatZhejiangNormalUniversityWangWeixin，LiHuihuaandZhengLianzhong，fortheirvaluablesuggestionsandpainstakingcorrectionsonmyoutlineanddraftIalsowishtothankXuQiuhongandHuangWeizhengwhohavesearchedand copiedimportantreferencematerialsfromBeijingand Shanghairespecti

10、vely 4 TheCollapseoftheAmericanDreamRepresented inTheGreatGatsby OutlineThesisStatement:JayGatsbywasahighlysymbolismofthemostAmericans on1920swhonotonlywastryinghisbesttorealizetheir American Dreams but also experienced the collapse of the Dream in an era of unprecedented economic prosperityandmater

11、ialexcess.I. IntroductionII. DefinitionofAmericanDreamsIII. RealizationandCollapseofGatsbysAmericanDreamsinhisWhole Life A. TheDreamofBecomingaUsefulManinChildhood B. TheDreamofBecomingarichandUpperclassPersoninYouth C. TheDreamofLovingaCharmingGirlIV. OriginsofCollapseofAmericanDream A. IndividualR

12、easonsCorruptionofIndividualMoral B. SocialReasons 1. World War I Throwing the Young Men into an Age of AlienationandDissentient 2. EconomicBloomAffectingthePromisingMen 3. CorruptionofSocialMoral V. Conclusion 5 TheCollapseoftheAmericanDreamRepresented inTheGreatGatsbyI.Introduction F. Scott. Fitzg

13、erald is famous American writer of The Lost Generationwhoisalsothespokesmanof“JazzAge.HismasterpieceTheGreatGatsbyfully revealed the realization and the collapse of American Dream in1920s.thehistoryofAmericandreamcouldbedatedbackto17thcentury.Atthattimeeveryonebelievedthatifheworkedbyhisowncouragevi

14、gorandefforthewouldsucceednomatterwhohewas.TheherointhenovelofTheGreat Gatsby whose name was Gatsby experienced the realization andcollapse of his three dreamsthe dream of becoming a useful man inchildhood the dream of becoming a rich and upper class person and thedreamoflovingacharminggirl.Thefailu

15、reofGatsbysdreamwasnotcausedbysinglefactor.OnGatsbyssidehispursuitofultrahighenjoymentofthematerial led to the collapse of his dreams however some factors in thesociety such as degrading morality excessive material and overemphasizedopportunist influenced him and eventually caused the collapse of hi

16、sAmericandreams.II.DefinitionofAmericanDreams Generally speaking American dream was in the bud when Columbusdiscovered the new continent of America. When Nick the narrator in thenovelreferredhistwolivingplacesWestEggvillageandEastEggvillagehemade a metaphor: “they are not perfect ovalslike an egg in

17、 the Columbusstory they are both crushed flat at the contact end”1 In this sentence thewriterreferredColumbuswhowasasymbolismasthegreatestandthelastdream of human being was beginning to develop when he first stepped onthispromisingland. In 17th century Western Europe was undergoing great changes. Th

18、epuritan migrants passed across the Atlantic Ocean and finally reachedMaryland by May Flower. At that time American dream began to sprout.What impressed the world is the freedom that America could grant foreveryone.Thenewcontinentwasapromisinglandandifsomeoneworkedbyhisownbeliefcouragedeterminationa

19、ndmoralrighteousnesshecouldachievegreatsuccess.Nomatterwhomyouareandwhereveryouwerebornyou only need to devote yourself to hard working you will find the lifesbounty. The American dream promised the deepest and richest selffulfillment for those who would make the nature abilities. American dreamalso

20、 tellspeoplethat they shouldnt give up easily and do your best. IntheAmerican history Benjamin Franklin was the fist one to embody theAmerican Dream in his work his works as the autobiography and PoorRichardsAlmanacadvocatedtheindividualdiligentandgavesomeadvicetoAmerican people to realize their Ame

21、rican Dream. Another example wasAbraham Lincoln who was regarded as the greatest president in Americanhistory.AbrahamLincolnwasborninKentuckyinahousewithonlyoneroom.Hisfamilywasoneofthepoorestfamiliesinthearea.Hehadworkedallhislife.WhenhewasayoungmanLincolnmadeextraordinaryeffortstoattainknowledge w

22、hile working on a farm splitting rails for fences and keepingstoreatNewSalemIllinois.HewasacaptainintheBlackHawkWar spenteightyearsintheIllinoislegislatureandrodethecircuitofcourtsformanyyears. After so many years hard work he became the president of US andmade his American dream come true. This is

23、the original meaning ofAmericanDream. HoweverasifAmericanDreambetweengoldenpastandgoldenfuturealways suffered from the realistic betrayal and crushthe realistic worldappearing in front of people was bleakness and dejection. With the 2development of the society and blooming economy American Dreamgrad

24、ually faded its own color and excessive material and overemphasizedopportunist occupied the heart of the American people and thesedegeneratedthoughtsbegantoerodetheAmericanDream.RealizationandCollapseofGatsbysAmericanDreamsinHisWholeLife GayGatsbywhowasaveryrichmanlivedinalavishmansion.EverySaturday

25、nighthewouldholdgreatpartyinhishouse.AyoungmannamedNickCarawayrentingahouseintheWestEgginvolvedhimselfinthelifeofGatsbywhotoldNickthathefellinlovewithNickscousinDaisybeforetheWWI. Because he was very poor atthattime Daisy married Tom Buchananwho is a rich and arrogant man. However he was still in lo

26、ve with her. HepersuadedNicktobringhimandDaisytogetheragain.WiththehelpofNickhewasrekindlingtherelationshipwithDaisyandhetriedtoconvinceDaisytoleaveher husband Tom who in turnrevealedthat Gatsby has made hismoneybybootlegging.WhenDaisyhesitatedtochoosebetweenGatsbyandTom she was driving Gatsbys car

27、unintentionally hitting and killing Tomsmistress Myrtle Wilson. Gatsby kept this secret to protect Daisy. Tom toldMyrtles husband Wilson that it was Gatsby who killed his wife. WilsonmurderedGatsbyandthencommittedsuicide.AtlastNickwastheonlyonewholefttoarrangeGatsbysfuneral. Nick considered Gatsby a

28、s a great and magic person as he had everrealizedhisdreamsinhislife.Gatsbydiedintheageof32butinhisshortlifejourneyhehadexperiencedtherealizationandcollapseofhisthreedreams.A.TheDreamofBecomingaUsefulManinChildhood Gatsby was born in a poor family of centrewestern region. In thefuneralNickencountered

29、GatsbysfatherHenryC.Gatzwhowasproudof 3his son and saved a picture of his house. He also told Nick about GatsbysearlylifeshowinghimabookinwhichyoungGatsbyhadwrittenaschedulefor selfimprovement: “Rise from be 6.00 A.M Dumbbell exercise andallscaling 6.156.30A.M Study electricity.7.158.15A .MWork8.304

30、.30P.MBaseballandsports4.305.00P.M.Practiceelocutionpoiseandhow to attain it 5.006.00P.M Study needed inventions 7.009.00P.M.” 2 Abovementioned show that on the last flyleaf of Hopolong CassidyGatsbywasrecordedhisdecisionandapieceofstricttimetableforworking.As everyone knows many famous people depen

31、ded on the struggle bythemselvesandgotasuccessatlastandtheirstorieswhichmadeeveryonebelieve that each youth could become a useful and wealthy person in thefuture. If one person was loyal to their family and friends patient andindependent he would have the same opportunity as other persons to doanyth

32、ingthatistosayitispossibleforhimcomingfromthepoorfamilytobecomearichandnoblepersonsoGatsbywasoneofthebelieversofit.Thedream was so magic with endless infinite power that encouraged Gatsbystruggleforitbyhisalleffort.ItmadeanimplicationthatGatsbywouldmakea fortune rely on personal virtues diligence an

33、d frugality. In his childhoodGatsbyusedtoabidebyFranklinsteachingandfollowhisowndreamatthebackgroundof20centurysocietyinU.S.OversomanyyearsGatsbyalwayspersisted in it and observed it. In brief in Gatsby early age he presented apositiveattitudetowardhislife.Ifhewasnotinfluencedbythesocietywhichwas im

34、moral in 20th century he would realize his American dream andbecomeapromisingperson.B.TheDreamofBecomingaRichandUpperclassPersoninYouth Even if his dream originated from American dream the essence ofGatsbysdreamistheessenceofAmericandream.WithhisgrowingGatsbysAmericanDream wentby an evolution whenhe

35、was young. Hedreamed ofmaking a good fortune transcending common people and getting rid ofpoornessasmuchastheheroesdescribedbyBenFranklin. Hewasbornona 4NorthDakotafarmwhowasnamedJamesGatsbyandheenteredcollegeatSt. Olaf in Minnesota. He dropped out after two weeks for he loathed thehard and laboriou

36、s work In the age of seventeen he met Dan Cody whowas a pirate in the Superior Lake. And then he changed his name as GayGatsby and became an assistant of Dan Cody. Traveling with Cody to theBarbaryCoastandWestIndiesGatsbyfellinlovewithmoneyandluxury. Hishumiliationathavingtoworkasajanitoratthecolleg

37、econtrastedwiththepromisehemetwithDanCodywhorepresentedtheachievementsof everything that Gatsby wants. As Gatsby was aware of his poverty theyoung Gatsby developed a powerful obsession with amazing wealth andstatus. He changed his name which symbolized his desire to jettison hislowerclass identity a

38、nd recast himself as the wealthy man he imaged. Hebelieved that he could discard his past and his background completely；howeveritwasimpossible.Hislargefortunehadnotbeenobtainedhonestly.GatsbydidbusinesswithWolfsheimagambler.Gatsbymadelotsofmoneyalso from distributing illegal alcohol and trading in s

39、tolen securities. Aftergetting money Gatsby got luxurious possessions. “He saw me looking withadmirationathiscarRollsRoyceitwasrichcreamcolorbrightwithnickelswollenhereandthereinitsmonstrouslength”3FromthattimehebegantogetridofthehisearlyagedreamwhiletheAmericandreamhadbecomecollapsed. On his way to

40、 obtain wealthy he gradually lost his innocent anddiligent characters and sake everything onhisdreams notrealizingthathisdreams are unworthy of him. However he became fabulously wealthy andrealizedhismoneydream.C.TheDreamofLovingaCharmingGirl Though Gatsby always wanted to be rich his main motivatio

41、n inacquiringhisfortunewashisloveforDaisyBuchananwhomhemetwhenhewas a young military officer in Louisville before leaving to fight in WWII.GatsbyimmediatelyfellinlovewithDaisyforherluxuryelegancyandcharm.HeliedtoDaisyabouthisbackgroundinordertoconvinceherthatafterwar 5shewouldmarrywithhim.Becauseofh

42、isliesDaisypromisedtowaitforhimwhen he was left for the war. But she married Tom Buchanan in 1919.However Gatsby still loved with her in Gatsbys mind the only way shouldGatsbywinbackdaisyistogetalotofmoneybutitwasverydifficultforanormal soldier to earn. In order to win Daisy Gatsby dared to have ill

43、egaltrade of alcohol to make a fortune because he clearly knew that he mustofferDaisyabetterlifewhichwasluxuriantifhewantedtowinDaisy. InsomedegreeGatsbyslovetoDaisyreflectedhismemoryofthepast.Four years before he met her and then loved her. During the long timeGatsby remembered that Daisy was fanta

44、stically like a miracle story in hismind an unforgettable event with wonderful experiences and a fairymeadowinamysteriousVail.TogetbacktheloveofDaisyheneededmakealargeamountofmoneyandraisehisownstatueandhealsomadehimselfnoble and elegant he studied in Oxford University. After doing whatmentioned bef

45、ore he made him become a famous people He had heldparties every weekend at his mansion. The party is almost unbelievablyluxurious he made friends who are famous. When Daisy went to his partyandexclaimedshenevermetsomanycelebrities Situated at the end of Daisys east egg dock and barely visible fromGa

46、tsbys west egg lawn the green light symbolized Gatsbys hopes anddreamsforthefuture.ThegreenlightmeantthatGatsbyhadassociatedhisAmericandreamwithhisformalloverDaisy. Nevertheless after five years when Gatsby met Daisy again themiracleDaisyhadlostheroriginalglory.ShelivedintheeasteggdistrictofLong Lan

47、d. She had become superficial and cynical with unbelievablebehaviorinordertomaskherpainathishusbandsunmorally.DaisywasnotasperfectasGatsbyalwaysimaginingandinhismindDaisywasagoddess.HoweverinrealityDaisywasjustGatsbysidealpersonificationthatwasonlyabadlyworldlybeautywithagoodappearanceandemptysoul.S

48、hewastherepresentativeofmoneyworshipers.MaybeshelovedGatsbyoncebuther 6lovewasnotrealnotpersistentshewantedherlifeshapedimmediatelyandthedecisionmustbemadenotbythepoweroflovebutthepowerofmoneythat was the most real in her world. So naturally after he met Gatsby shewouldliketoloveGatsbyagainbecauseatthistimeGatsbywaswealthyandfamous. In such a situation she w.