Abstract: The "American Dream" is an American ideal that runs through the development of American culture. It symbolizes the American spirit and is rooted in the hearts of the American people. It is an important subject to study American culture in Sister Carrie. Generations of American writers have expressed their American Dream through art and literature.

Dreiser, through his description of the social reality in the United States at the end of the 20th century, which was full of consumer demands and desires, showed the social reality at that time to people and also reflected his reflection on the social reality at that time.

What runs through the article most is critical thinking. The desire for money in social reality has far exceeded the meaning of the American Dream itself, and has become a twisted moral concept.

Key Words: Sister Carrie  American Dream  symbolism 

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

Introduction-4

Chapter 1 Symbolism-5

1.1 Definition of Symbolism-5

1.2 Symbolism in Literature-6

Chapter 2 The American Dream-7

2.1 The Main Meaning of the American Dream-7

2.1.1The Social Environment of the United States in the very Late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century-7

2.1.2 The Historical Background of the Time-8

2.2 Sister Carrie and the American Dream-9

2.2.1 The Character Image of Sister Carrie-9

2.2.2 Sister Carrie's Relationship with the American Dream-10

Chapter 3  The Enlightenment of the American Dream in Sister Carrie-10

3.1 The Importance of Spiritual Wealth-10

3.2 The Direct Reality of the American Dream in Sister Carrie-11

Conclusion-12

References-13

Acknowledgements-14