美国个人英雄主义的价值分析【摘要】随着经济全球化的不断加快，中国与世界其他国家之间的联系越来越紧密。
尤其是作为世界上最为发达的国家——美国，中国与其在经济，政治，文化等不同领域的合作与交流越来越频繁。
虽然两国之间在各方面都取得了一定的成果，但由于地域文化的限制，我们对美国的价值体系仍不免陌生。
因此，本文着重于研究一种典型而又普遍的美国人的价值观——个人英雄主义价值观。
本文主要通过查阅书籍资料，进行分析整合，以求对美国个人英雄主义价值观的发源以及原因，发展与深化，在各个领域的渗透以及它与中国传统的集体主义价值观的比较等方面有一个较为明确的认识，以期中国人能够对美国文化，价值观有一个更好的理解，这样我们可以增强相互之间的信任与友谊，消除不必要的偏见与误会，更好促进中美的跨文化交往，更好地为建设和谐世界做贡献。
【关键词】美国个人英雄主义牛仔文化自由个人An Analysis on Value of Individualistic Heroism in USA 【Abstract】With the rapidly accelerating globalization, china has tighter and tighter relationship with other countries especially with America, the most developed nation in the whole world. They have cooperation and communication in the field of economy, politics along with culture. Although two countries have made great achievements in many aspects, we are still very unfamiliar with each other’s value system. Therefore, it is necessary for us to get familiar with the individualistic heroism---one of the most representative values in America.This paper aims to analyze its formation, development in various aspects and the comparison with china’s collectivism in order to let Chinese have a good understanding on American culture and its values, which, in a sense, can enhance mutual trust and friendship, eliminate prejudice and misunderstanding, and facilitate the proceedings of the cross-cultural communication between China and America and then promote the construction of a harmonious world..【Key Words】individualistic heroism cowboy culture freedom individualismContents1. Introduction------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12. Analysis of historical background of the individualistic heroism in USA------------ 2 2.1 Foundation of America ---------------------------------------------------------------- 2 2.2 Development of the western America------------------------------------------------ 32.2.1 The cultures and spirits of West Cowboys-------------------------------------32.2.2 The Two Types of West Cowboys-----------------------------------------------------43. Extension and development of the individualistic heroism in American society---4 3.1 Value of individualistic heroism on economy--------------------------------------4 3.2 Value of individualistic heroism on entertainment---------------------------------4 3.3 Value of individualistic heroism on politics----------------------------------------53.4 Value of i ndi vidualis ti c heroi sm on lit erat ure------------------------------54.Impact on America--------------------------------------------------------------------------54.2 Positive impact--------------------------------------------------------------------------------64.1 Negative impact------------------------------------------------------------------------65. Comparison between China and USA on value ----------------------------------------7 5.1 USA: individualistic heroism --------------------------------------------------------75.2 China: collectivism --------------------------------------------------------------------76.Conclusion------------------------------------------------------------------------------------87. Works Cited-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------9An Analysis on Value of Individualistic Heroism in USA1. IntroductionWhen we talk about values, different people have their different definitions. American sociologist Talcott Parsons defined values like this: "values is one of the factors in the society that people have their consensus to accept the symbolic system (cultural system) , it is also the standard in all kinds of choices or actions. "Generally speaking, values should include factors as followed: Firstly, the value is an abstract thinking, and experience of life, it is the criteria for people to judge their own words and deeds; Secondly, the values is the standard for people to appreciate or identification; thirdly, values is to choose a standard action, but not the purpose of action, it is the unwritten norms of the invisible rules. Every society, every nation has its own traditional values, different social have different values. Formation of values of a nation affected by many factors, such as natural environment, social, political, historical, cultural, great, etc. And so does American valuesUSA，the most developed country in the world, in the most time, is used to manifesting its freedom, aggressiveness, individualism, and absolute confidence. These characters above can be concluded to be a formal term individualistic heroism. For the government of United States, it shows such characters many times in the world’s stage. No matter what in the case of Iraq War, or in the case of international financial summits, or in the case of the important political events such as General Assembly, America always plays a pivotal role in saving the whole world with its own strength. Additionally, in spite of the government of the United States, Americans show the individualistic heroism in their daily life as well. There is no exaggeration to say that individualistic heroism ingrains in their bloods from generations to generations.Thanks to the globalization, and with Chinese constant expansion of the opening up to the outside world, the connections and interactions between China and the rest of the world become tighter and tighter. In the field of economy, during our President Hu Jingtao’s visit to America, China purchased 200 airplanes and they signed a big deal which was nearly 45billion dollars. Besides, Shanghai has commenced to the construction of the Disney Land, the biggest and most profitable recreational park in the US. And in the field of education, the University of Shanghai has reached a deal with the University of New York that in 2013 Shanghai will open a jointly university between these two excellent college. Although two countries have made great achievements in many aspects, we are still very unfamiliar with each other’s value system. Therefore, based on the situations above, having a better understanding of America especially its core values do benefit to the communications and cooperation between China and US. And through the long-time research from the Internet as well as written documents, I find that the value called the Individualistic Heroism is the most obvious and notable value in America, which is awfully worthy of fathoming.Thus, this paper aims to analyze the backgrounds and reasons of the formation and the development of the individualistic heroism in USA. Besides, this paper also tries to find the ranges of the values including its impacts in many aspects. I hope, after finishing this paper, Chinese can have a better understanding of American value—individualistic heroism that is extremely differentfrom Chinese core value. Accordingly, Chinese can gain a more specific understanding of the whole America; thereby we can establish a much friendlier tie to America.2. Analysis of historical background of the individualistic heroism in USA2.1 Foundation of AmericaIn the book A Concise History of America and Its People made by James Kirby Martin,The first settlers of America were largely puritans from Europe, and the characters of the founder fathers as well as other first settlers were much more independent and more gallant than other Europeans, and they want to be free from the monarchy system. Their spirits are accepted and appreciated by the people in the North American and then passed on from generations to generations in this country.（12）The similar but more specific opinion on the origin of the individualistic heroism can be easily found in other historical works. According to the book An Introduction to American Culture,The earliest settlers came to the North American continent to establish colonies which were free from the controls that existed in European societies. They wanted to escape from the controls placed on many aspects of their lives by kings and governments, priests and churches, noblemen and aristocrats. To a great extent, they succeeded. In 1776, the British colonial settlers declared their independence from England and established a new nation, the United States of America. In so doing, they defied the king of England and declared that the power to govern would lie in the hands of the people. They were now free from the power of the kings. In 1789, when they wrote the Constitution for their new nation, they separated church and state so that there would never be a government-supported church. This greatly limited the power of the church. Also, in writing the Constitution they expressly forbade titles of nobility to ensure that an aristocratic society would not develop. There would be no ruling class of noblemen in the new nation. (29)Also in this book, the editors point out that the historic decisions made by those first settlers have had a profound effect on the shaping of the American character. By limiting the power of the government and the churches and eliminating a formal aristocracy, the settlers created a climate of freedom where the emphasis was on the individual. The United States came to be associated in their minds with the concept of individual freedom. This is probably the most basic of all the American values. Scholars and outside observers often call this value individualism, but many Americans use the word freedom. It is one of the most respected and popular words in the United States today. In brief, I think the birth of the value of individualistic heroism can be concluded by Liang(梁汉平) that America is a young country and its core value is individualistic heroism that is ingrained in its social history(3).2. 2 Development of the western AmericaAs far as I am concerned, if we can say the foundation of the United States plays a vital role in forming the individualistic heroism, the frontier development in the western America has largelyexpedited this value’s proceedings. In the article of Datesman, Maryanne Kearny, we clearly learn that the development of western America influenced the values of individualistic heroism a lot. “Individualism has perhaps been the values most closely associated with the frontier heritage of America. Throughout their history, Americans have tended to view the frontier settler as the model of the free individual.” (73)2.2.1 The cultures and spirits of West CowboysObviously, as many documents have mentioned, among these settlers, cowboy plays an important role in the formation of Individualistic heroism. According to Li (李青), after the American Civil War, a huge rise of cattle world has formed gradually in the Midwest of USA, and cowboys began to appear in the American historic stage. Although cowboys have already extinguished now in America, their spirits passed on among Americans. Since Americans revere to cowboys, the outstanding in America in eve ry walks of life are often called “cowboys”.(90) His words remind me of Robert Kincaid, the hero in the best-seller the bridges of Madison County has been called cowboy for more than three times.And in the light of Datesman,Many people from the president of America to the common people in this country are still fascinated by the frontier because it has been particularly important in shaping American values. When Ronald Regan was president in the 1980s, he liked to recall the image of life on the frontier. He was often photographed on his western ranch—chopping wood or riding horse, and wearing his cowboy hat. President George W. Bush reinforced this cowboy image by inviting members of the press to photograph him on his Texas ranch, wearing his cowboy boots and hat. (73)2.2.2 The Two Types of West CowboysAs far as I’m concerned, with the foundation and being stronger of United States, Americans began to develop their continent. And during this period, cowboy serves as an important role in forming and affecting American core values, namely, individualistic heroism. In the book made by Martin James Kirby,While most American have a more balanced view of the settling of the West, many Americans still see aspects of the frontier, its people, and their beliefs as inspiring examples of traditional American values in their original and purest form. How did the frontier movement, which lasted more than two centuries, help to shape these basic American values. And the self-reliant frontiersman has been idealized by Americans who have made him the model of the classic American male hero with rugged individualism. This hero is a man who has been made physically tough and rugged by the conditions of frontier life. He is skilled with guns and other weapons. He needs no help from others. Often, he appears in stories as along, unmarried, and without children. Standing alone, he can meet all the dangers which life on the frontier brings. He is strong enough to extend his protection beyond himself to others.(75)In the western development, there are two types of heroic rugged individualists. Each is drawn from a different stage of life on the frontier. In the early frontier, which existed before the Civil War of the 1860s, the main struggle was man against the wilderness. Daniel Boone is probably the best-known hero of this era. Boone explored the wilderness country of Kentucky in the 1760s and1770s. On one trip, he stayed in the wilderness for two years, successfully matching his strength and skills against the dangers of untamed nature and hostile Native Americans. In 1778, Boone was captured by Native Americans who were so impressed with his physical strength and skills that they made him a member of their tribe. Later, he succeeded in making a daring escape. Boo ne’s heroic strength is seen primarily in his ability to master the harsh challenges of the wilderness. Although he had to fight against Indians from time to time, he is admired mainly as a survivor and conqueror of the wilderness, not as a fighter. The second type of heroic rugged individualist is drawn from the last phase of the western frontier, which lasted from the 1860s until the 1890s. By this time, the wilderness was largely conquered. The struggle now was no longer man against nature, but man against man. Cattlemen and cowboys fought against farmers, outlaws, Native Americans, and each other for control of the remaining western lands. The traditions of law and order were not yet well established, and physical violence was frequent. The frontie r became known as “the Wild West”. It is not surprising, then, that the hero drawn from this period is primarily a fighter. He is admired for his ability to bear other men in fistfights, or to win in a gunfight. The principal source of his heroism is his physical prowess and he is strong enough to defeat two or three ordinary men at time. This rugged individualist is typically a defender of good against evil. (114-117)3.Extension and development of the individualistic heroism in American society3.1 Value of individualistic heroism on economyThe value of individualistic heroism is clearly reflected on many respects including in the field of economy, entertainment as well as politics along with literature. For an instance, Steven Jobs is the represent of the individualistic heroism in the realm of economy. In the world of apple Inc., he is the absolute king that no one can replace of. He acts as a hero, rescuing the whole company with his own force. After he returned, the Apple Inc. had a renascence. For example, since 2007, Apple published iphone, now the company’s ally in the rate of the mobile phone market ranks second, only after Nokia. As Jeffrey S. Young mentioned in the book of Icon Steve Jobs: The Greatest Second Act in the History of Business, Steven Jobs has always had charisma and inspirational talent and also many of Jobs' blunders came from trusting his own instincts above everything else. He is filled up with confidence and also armed with the adventurous and hard-working spirits.3.2Value of individualistic heroism on entertainmentBesides, in the realm of film, Hollywood presents us myriads of individualistic heroes such as superman, the most typical image who saves the whole world by means of himself. In my opinion, to a large degree, it embodies Americans’ core values-- Americans uphold those who are independent of the existing rules and systems while are brave and capable enough to save a city even a country or a world with its own strength. In the Qi’s (齐瑾) viewpoint, film reveals strong personal heroism image of the deep personal reflection of American values.3.3Value of individualistic heroism on politicsIn the realm of politics, Abraham Lincoln, in my eyes, can be a representative. Robert Neely Bellah pointed out that “ if we turn from the mythical heroes of fiction to a mythic, but historicallyreal hero, Abraham Lincoln. In many respects, Lincoln conforms perfectly to the archetype of the lonely, individualistic hero. He was a self-made man, who never comfortable with the eastern upper cla sses”(35). But it is this man that was called “captain”by Whiteman and it is this man that emancipated slaves from shackles and also it is this man that made great contributions to maintain the unification of USA .3.4 Value of individualistic heroism on literatureIn the field of the literature, American individualism as ethnic identity and become the natural rights of Americans that America is a national law of the jungle is not too much, especially Americans, believe in social Darwinism, which the United States evolved as a rugged individualism (rugged individualism). American tycoon, those in power see themselves as social development to adapt to the winner of every American is not far behind, have struggled to climb the highest levels of society, be come the winner, Mark • Twain (Mark Twain, 1835-1919) the second half of the 19th century, industrialization period, known as the "Gilded Age" (Gilded Age), the name of the same name from his novel "The Gilded Age."The generation of rugged individualism, immediately acclaimed, especially the large business owners who won the applause, because it just provide them with the theoretical basis of exploitation of others. U.S. steel magnate card is based (Andrew Carnegie) is a die-hard followers of social Darwinism. He was born in civilian homes, 14 years old to start work by the boss of her, step by step to become the overlord of the U.S. steel industry. In 1889 he published "On the Wealth" (Wealth) of a text, which shows him in the eyes of free competition and rugged individualism, followed the publication of "card is based autobiography," summed up the secret of his success. Card is based on free competition law also provided a detailed explanation, he believes that the implementation of completely free competition individualism, "the first day from the community, those capable of hard-working people who are incompetent and lazy: you not hard, no gain. "However, this rugged individualism shaped the Road Great results are predictable, it's the cruelty of ordinary people's rejection by the United States, the U.S. 32nd President Franklin D. Roosevelt (Franklin D. Roosevelt) had attempting to "New Deal" (the New Deal) and equality of opportunity to restore the true face of individualism in the past, but this American-style rugged individualism has been praised by many Americans to become Americans, an important component of values.4. Impact on America4.1 Positive impactAlso written by Robert Neely Bellah, “individualism is not selfishness. Indeed, it is a kind of heroic selflessness”(35). Nevertheless, I believe that each coin has two sides, so does American values—individualistic heroism. It can be defined to be the person who are independent of government, free from the secular rules and laws, but bravely strive for the justice. On the other hand, this value has its negative effects. Usually, individual hero no matter who likes the cowboy or no matter who likes the hard-boiled detective, they cannot fully belong to society and conflict with the social orders. In addition, as the most developed country in the world, America inclines to be the global police, wading in other countries’ business, which is another negative effect of this core values. As the book The Further of American Foreign Police claimed that “a doc trine of hegemony would make the goal of U.S. foreign police the maintenance of America’s relative advantage. Itwould seek to prolong the unimportant moment and make it an era. And it would prevent the emergence of new adversaries that could not only threaten U.S. interests, but destroy the United States”(24). This value with full of confidence leads America to be the world’s police. America wage wars such as the Vietnam War, Iraqi war only to strive for its own sake. This hegemony here is the reverse side of the coin which is not only beneficial to the less developed country, but also do not good to America itself along with the whole world. They are one of the reflections of the negative effects of the Individualistic Heroism. In addition, according to the book An Introduction to American Culture,Some people in America worry about the impact of these individualistic heroes appearing in the screens excessively on the lives and imagination of young people. Through movies and television programs, this Wild West hero has helped shape the American idea of “macho,” or male, strength. For the most part, almost all American male heroes on television and in movies have traditionally had the common ability to demonstrate their strength through physical violence. Once the western macho hero had been created, the model for this hero was used in other settings—for soldiers in battle, and tough detectives and policemen fighting crime. From the cowboy heroes to Rambo and the Terminator, these heroes can fight with their fists or with their guns, or both. Although there are movie and TV heroes who are respected more for their intelligence and sensitivity than their physical prowess, these classic macho male heroes still dominate much of American entertainment and video games. Many young people have become desensitized to the sight of violence and killings by the effect of the macho spirits in the screens. In the 1990s, guns became a critical issue when there were shootings in several public schools. It is all too easy for teenagers to get guns, and they are much more at risk of being killed by guns than adults are. The problem is particularly had in the inner cities, where a number of young gang members carry guns. However, several of the most shocking incidents occurred in normally peaceful suburban communities, and now many schools require students to pass through metal detectors as they enter school buildings. It is all too easy for teenagers to get guns, and they are much more at risk of being killed by gun than adults are. The problem is particularly bad in the inner cities, where a number of young gang members carry guns. (76) Another effect for the individualistic heroism is their self-expression. Many people who dealt with the Americans say that Americans are too assertive, good self-expression, and unfettered freedom of thought, the pursuit of individuality, which is their natural expression of Individualism. After World War II, the United States unprecedented economic prosperity, but racism against blacks is unprecedented flooding, repression of McCarthyism enlightened people that the Americans can not free speech and action, a group of active thinking, the pursuit of individuality, advocates self-expression, self-realization Young people from the political and social life began to separate, traditional culture and customs of the formation and phase inversion of the Counter Culture (Counterculture), "Beat Generation" (the Beat Generation) is one of them, they are dissatisfied with society, contempt for traditional culture, in dress and behavior exclude the conventional, long-term traces at the bottom of society, the social circles and form a unique philosophy of life, the poet Ginsberg (Allen Ginsberg) is such an alternative figure, he had long hair, wearing dirty clothes, drugs , out of the lower classes, trying to express themselves through their own work, his poem "Howl" (Howl) reflects the utopian thinking of the future peace and prosperity.4.2 Negative impactAmerican counter-culture culminated in the 60's, in addition to the basic content of the performance of self-expression, also included the love of personal liberation, sexual liberation, drugs, anti-war, anti-racist, and many other content. Hippies (Hippies) is another representative of anti-mainstream culture, they also have long hair, beards, drug abuse, with fancy dress, live in groups, as an expression of the existing social system, the negation of the material and ideas. Hippies are actually the continuation of "Beat Generation". In the late '60s, there has a loose organization of radical youth there, its members called" easy Pishi "(Yippies), their collective refusal to comply with laws requiring individual freedom against the Vietnam War (Vietnam War ) is known, and repeatedly clashed with police. To 70’s, American society has emerged "me generation" (Me Generation), which is an extreme self-expression of the "generation" of things. They have public, political life, insensitive, and placing the expense of social morality, into a lightly on to meet the pursuit of self-expression; the late 70s, appeared in the United States known as the "punk (Punk)" group of people who the quirky clothes, hair style, like the piercing loud music, wanting individuality, and the expression of social rebellion.parison between China and USA on value5.1 USA: individualistic heroismCompared with European countries, the American heroism culture is as young as the country. As a nation of immigrants, the “heroes” can not help having the shadow of the heroic culture of the Old World. However, since the first day of its establishment, this young nation has been exploiting the boundary with the rapid expansion of national strength. The heroes that it shapes generally have similar characteristics regardless of the “Yankee” or cowboy and regardless of white settlers of the westward expansion or American soldiers of expeditions overseas: individualism, aggressiveness and absolute self-confidence. Western films all the rage are almost a pattern: a hero conquers the world single-handedly, finally retires after winning the merit and then quietly disappears. The heroes in the modern version of American movies, of course, have varied shapes with different backgrounds, but the essence of the “American hero” is only one shape: Americans own st yle, but only he sometimes dresses in cowboy clothes, sometimes wears the helmet of the Vietnam War, and sometimes is dressed as spider-Man or even appearance of the aliens.Individual heroism should be divided into two parts: one is individualism and the other is hero. Individualism, in fact, is an important part of American culture, for they believed that the existence and development and free stretch of individuals are the most important core. For heroism, in fact, it is derived from anxiety and fear of our own living environment and humanistic concept, which is the induction of the unknown world and the survival crisis from the bottom of the heart. However, the heroes always own all good qualities that we expect, and always give the most favorable supporting and protection at the most dangerous moment. Dignifiedly speaking, the hero is actually a perfect positioning of our own for ourselves, but we never reach that standard, so there must be the heroic image in the sense to come out and give a comfort to our hearts. Americans seem aware of this point deeply, and it can be seen that all films of the American heroism will be involved in kinship, love, friendship, failure, frustration, enlightenment, rouse, and ultimate defeat of the sinister.5.2 China: collectivismWhat the author wrote before are all about American values and with China’s opening up to the outside world, China and America need each other more than before. Thus, knowing the different。
