美国风情-美国人.ppt

What is an American? written by a Frenchman called J. Hector St. John in 1782 - He is either a European, or the descendant （后代） of a European, hence that strange mixture of blood, which you will find in no other country. He is an American, who leaving behind him all his ancient prejudices(偏见） and manners, receives new ones from the new mode of life he has embraced　（拥抱）, the new government he obeys, and the new rank he holds---- Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men, whose labors and posterity　（后裔） will one day cause great changes in the world The American is a new man, who acts upon new principles; he must therefore entertain new ideas, and form new opinions. --- this is American. American Identity Since the United States was founded in the 18th century, Americans have defined themselves not by their racial, religious, and ethnic identity种族认同 but by their common values and belief in individual freedom There simply is no one picture of a “typical” American. From the powdered-wigged(戴假发的) Founding Fathers to the multiracial golf champion Tiger Woods, Americans share a common identity grounded in the freedom — consistent always with respecting the freedom of others — to live as they choose. If American identity embraces all kinds of people, it also affords them a vast menu of opportunities to make and remake themselves. Americans historically have scorned efforts to trade on利用 “accidents of birth,” such as great inherited wealth or social status. Americans respect the “self-made自力更生” man or woman, especially where he or she has overcome great obstacles to success. Many rags-to-riches白手起家 stories, in which poor shoeshine boys擦鞋童 or other street urchins(顽童) would rise, by dint of (借用)their ambition, talent, and fortitude(坚韧), to wealth and fame. A Melting Pot WASP[White Anglo-Saxon Protestant 的缩略]盎格鲁—撒克逊裔白人新教徒(在美国社会中居中上阶层地位)(的)，祖先是英国新教徒的美国人(的) What is the American Dream? The big / ambitious dreams A city upon hill(山巅之城）–　an ideal