ABSTRACT

As a major carrier of culture of the United States, Hollywood movies are not only a part of modern life and civilization, but also a concentrated expression of the national spirit. As the mainstream of American values, individualistic heroism has always been a recurring theme and quintessence of Hollywood movies. Just as freedom and democracy characterize the United States, so is the case with individualistic heroism which has shaped Hollywood movies. 

With the great development of cross-cultural communication, more and more Hollywood movies are recommended to China. But between cultures. Therefore, in order to understand the different cultures in a right way, we need to do some researches on the characteristic of American Hollywood movies---Individualistic heroism. 

This thesis not only analyzes the definitions and origins of individualistic heroism, but also introduces the classifications of Hollywood movies since World War II. Furthermore, this thesis also analyzes the influence of those movies. Only in this way can we hold a clear and objective view of the individualistic heroism in Hollywood movies since World War II so as to understand American culture deeply. 

Key words: individualistic heroism; Hollywood movies; hero.

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One INTRODUCTION-1

Chapter Two LITERATURE REVIEW-3

2.1 Individualism-3

2.1.1 Definitions of individualism-3

2.1.2 Origins of individualism-3

2.2 Heroism-4

2.2.1 Definitions of heroism-5

2.1.2 Origins of heroism-5

Chapter Three INDIVIDUALISTIC HEROISM IN AMERICAN HOLLYWOOD MOVIES SINCE WWⅡ-7

3.1 Classifications of Hero Movies-7

3.1.1American Western movies-7

3.1.2War movies-8

3.1.3 Science fiction movies-8

3.1.4 Animated movies-9

3.2 Classifications of Heroes-9

3.2.1 Superheroes-10

3.2.2 Civilian heroes-11

3.2.3 Anti-heroes-11

3.3 Summary-12

Chapter Four INFLUENCE OF INDIVIDUALISTIC HEROISM IN AMERICAN HOLLYWOOD MOVIES SINCE WORLD WWⅡ-14

4.1 Influence on American Attitudes to Life-14

4.2 Influence on American Education-14

4.3 Influence on American International Image-15

Chapter Five CONCLUSION-16

REFERENCES-17