從電影《阿甘正傳》看個人主義對美國文化的影響

ChapterOneIntroductionThismovieisadaptedfromWinston’s1986novelofthesamename.Ittakesthepersonalinterestasthestartingpoint,advocatesthemoralobediencetoothers,pursuesownvalueintheaction.ForrestGumpwasasmall-townboywithacongenitalmentaldisabilitywhoseindomitableandtouchingstoryof“afoolishmanreceivingfoolishblessings”touchedhearts.Hisexperiencereflectsbothhisattitudetolifeandhisuniqueoutlookonlife.Hewasblessedwithmiraclesallovertheplace.Hisdreamwastobecomeadoctor.ThepurposeofthispaperistoexploretheconcretepresentationofindividualisminForrestGump,andtoanalyzeandstudyitdeeply.IndividualismisauniqueculturalphenomenonthatcantrulyexpressAmericanthoughtinAmericanculture,andhasextensiveandprofoundinfluenceonAmericanculture.ThefilmreflectsthespiritualcultureoftheUnitedStates,ofwhichindividualismisparamount.Individualismisapolitical,ethicalandsocialphilosophywhosecoreideaistoemphasizethefreedom,interestsandself-control.Essentiallyspeaking,itisaworldviewthatstartsfromtheindividualasthetoppriorityandtakestheindividualasthecentertoviewtheworld,society,andinterpersonalrelationships.IntheanalysisofthegrowthpathoftheprotagonistForrestGumpinForrestGump,themultiplefactorsthatconstitutehissuccessincludethepromotingroleofForrestGumphimselfandotherimportantcharacters.TheAmericanspiritofForrestGumpisparticularlyprominent,whichfullydemonstratestheroleofindividualisminAmericanculture.ManythemesareexploredintheexternalimageandqualityoftheprotagonistForrestGumpandotherimportantcharacters.Historicalbackground,characterdesign,characterdescription,andapplicationindifferentfields.Individualismisakindofvaluesandmoralsthatapplytosociallifeingeneral,andisapositiveattitudetowardslife.Throughtheconcretepresentationofindividualisminthefilm,itshowstheprofoundinfluenceofindividualismonForrestGumpandothercharacters,andalsopromotesthedevelopmentofthefilmplot.Thispaperattemptstorevealthecloseandcomplexrelationshipbetweenindividualismandindividualistbelief,andtoexaminethisphenomenonfromtheperspectiveofhistoricaldevelopment.IndividualismplaysacrucialroleinAmericanculture,whichcanbefullyreflectedintheanalysisofrelevanttheories.ForrestGump’spathtogrowthandsuccesswasdeeplyinfluencedbyabeliefintotalindividualism,whichisfullyreflectedinthearticle.Individualismisalsoachallengetotraditionalvalues.TheimpactofindividualismontheUnitedStatesisinmanyways,includingthepositivepromotionofculturaldiversityandeducation,aswellasthenegativeimpactofextremeegoismandracism.IndividualismhasbecomeanindispensablevalueinthehistoryoftheUnitedStates,anditisdeeplyrootedinthecoreofAmericanculture.Individualismisakindofvaluesandmoralsthatapplytosociallifeingeneral,andisapositiveattitudetowardslife.IndividualismisanintegralpartofAmericansocietyandthehighestidealsAmericansaspireto.Thereisahugegapbetweenindividualidealsandreality,butitcannotbebridged.InAmericanculture,thedignityoftheindividualisconsideredparamount,peoplevaluetheabilitytothinkandjudgeindependently,andhaveconfidenceinthepowertopursuepersonalinterests.ChapterTwoIntroductiontotheMovieForrestGump“Agamstory”istheperiodofanti-intellectualmoviemasterpiece.TheprotagonistAgamisanIQof75mentallyretarded.However,hismotherisawomanofstrongcharacter,oftenencouragesForrestGumpstriveconstantlyforself-improvement.Godgavehimasimpleandhonestymindanddashedtothe“scud”.Inhighschool,ForrestGumpscurriedtothefootballfieldoncampustoavoidthestudentswhowererunningfromhim.Kennedybecameahigh-profilefootballstarwhenhemethimincollegeandwasgivenauniqueopportunitytoenroll.Aftergraduatingfromcollege,AgamenlistedintheVietnamWar,andhandedovertwogoodfriends:BabuandtheawesomeDan,whoarekeentocatchshrimp.Afterthewar,AgamasaherobythepresidentJohnsonmet.Atapeacerally,AgammetJeanneagain,andJeannehimselfhadfallen,andlivedawildlife.AgamhasalwaysbeeninlovewithJeanne,butJeannedoesnotlovehim.Twopeopleinahurrytomeetandbreakup.Asadiplomaticrepresentativeinthetabletennisfield,Agamnotonlyactivelyparticipatedintabletennistournaments,butalsotravelledtoChinaandestablishedclosediplomaticrelationswithChinaandtheUnitedStates.Whenitcomesto“thedoctrineofthiscreed,Agamfinallybrokeintoapieceofhisownsky.”Hewasembroiledinamassiveracerowduringtheturbulentcivilrightsmovement.Hisfriendsfoughtfiercelytoprotecthim.DuringWatergate,heunwittinglyarrestedathief,anactthateventuallyledtotheoverthrowofPresidentNixon.AfterWatergate,hewassenttoprisonfortrialandeventuallyhangedforhiscrimes.Overtime,ForrestGumpdevelopedamysteriouscombinationofwealth,eventuallybecomingamulti-millionaire.Hissuccessisduetohisloveofnatureandadorationofit.ForrestGumpdidnotwanttobetiredoffameandfortune,sohethrewhimselfintogardening.Heplantedanappletreeforhimselfandtookithomeeveryday.ForrestGumpwasoftenabsentfromJenny’ssideuntilonedayJennyreturned,andtheysharedalongtimetogether,dayafterday,nightafternight,JennyheldForrestGumpclose,andatdawnsheleftinsilence.Threeyearslater,AgamsawJeanneagain,andalittleboy,hisson.Atthistime,Jenniferhashadanincurabledisease,ForrestGumpwithJennyandhersonreturnedtohishometown,spentahappytime.ChapterThreeEmbodimentofIndividualisminForrestGumpIndividualismisconsideredacorevalueinAmericanculture.IndividualismisthecoreoftheAmericanspiritandtheinexhaustiblekineticenergythatdrivesthedevelopmentoftheAmericaneconomyandsociety.FromtheForrestGump,wecancarryouttheanalysisandunderstandingofthecontemporaryAmericaculturefromvariousangles.3.1ConstantPursuitofSelfAccordingtoSamwa,individualisticvaluesencompassmotivationforone’sowndecisions,choiceofone’sabilities,developmentofself-confidence,andrespectforothers,personalfreedomandprivacy.InAmericanculture,individualismisembodiedinrespectforpersonalprivacy,advocatingpersonalindependence,advocatingself-expression,advocatingindependentthinking,encouragingindividualcompetition,andrespectingindividualfreedom,equalityandchoice.TheprotagonistAgamalthoughbecauselegdefectsand“retarded”andbecomeamemberofthevulnerablegroups,butcanwithtenaciousperseverance,thefilm’svalueasahigh-profileeventinAmericanhistoryliesnotonlyinitswit,gaietyandrichtaste,butalsoinitsseries,itsmemoriesanditsprofoundinterpretationofloveandfriendship,allofwhichtogetherdrivethestruggleforsuccess.3.1.1ForrestGump’sIndomitableSpiritForalongtime,movieswiththethemeof“Americandream”havebeenthemainstreamworkselaboratelycreatedbyHollywood.ForrestGump’sideaoftheAmericandreamisbeautifullyembodied.Then,throughhisstudies,hemasteredatechniquethatfreedhimfrombondageandpain:running.WiththesupportofJenny’sclosestfriends,ForrestGumpusesthemostbasicofhuman“running”skillstobreakfreefromhiscrotchandopenthedoortofulfillinghisdream.ForrestGump,ayoungmanwithaslightintellectualdisability,madeittocollege,becameahigh-profilefootballstarandthenjoinedtheU.S.soccerteam.Hiscoachwasalsoappointedheadofstate.HisarrivalwaswarmlywelcomedbyPresidentKennedy.Inacountryofequalopportunity,evenForrestGump,whosuffersfromamentaldisorder,canopenthedoortotheAmericandreamthroughhisownstruggle.ForrestGumpbecameawarheroforhisheroisminVietnamandwasawardedtheCongressionalMedalofHonorforhisservice.Inhissparetime,Gumplearnedtoplaytabletennisandpracticeddayandnight,becameamemberoftheU.S.tabletennisteam,witnessedamomentofchangeinSino-Americanrelations,andappearedon“TheDickKevinTalkShow.”ThementallyretardedForrestGumpbecameastar.BecomingfamousandgainingattentionisthedreamofmanyAmericanboysandgirls.ItisalsotheembodimentoftheAmericanDream.Afterhisretirement,ForrestGumptookoutallhissavings,boughtashrimpboat,andthroughhisownhardworkandpersistence,realizedhisdreamofbecomingamillionaire.ForrestGumpachievedeconomicindependenceandfinancialfreedomwithhisownhardwork,whichisanimportantaspectoftheAmericandream.TheUnitedStatesisfamousforbeingalandofopportunityandwealth.AlmosteveryAmericandreamsofbecomingfamousandrichinhisownright.WealthforForrestGumpseemstorepresentonlyagoodsituation,becomesothathecannowhappilydowhattheywanttodothematerialbasis.AchievingeconomicfreedomanddecidingyourownlifeisnotjustanAmericandream.WiththespreadofAmericanculture,itisbecomingadreamsharedbyeveryoneintheworld.3.1.2ForrestGump’sConfidentBeliefAsthesubjectofthefilm,CaptainAgam’sideaoftheAmericanDreamhasbecomeamainstreamtrendinHollywood.ChildhoodAgamundertheencouragementoffriendsJenny,tohumanthemostbasicrunningskillscourageouslybrokeawayfromthesupportfeetbound,free,todreamoftheirowntoachieveopenthewindow;Forrestranatbreakneckspeed,travelingthroughtimetocollege,becomingahigh-profilefootballstar,thenjoiningthenationalfootballteamandmeetingPresidentKennedy.ThisshowsthatundertheconditionsoftheUnitedStatesofequalopportunityforall,anyperson,evenifisretardedGumpalsocanthroughtheirowneffortstoknockondooroftheAmericandream.OntheVietnamWar,withtheirheroicperformance,Agambecameaheroofthewar,wontheCongressionalMedalinthetimeoftheinjuryoftheR,Agamalsolearnedtoplaytabletennis,anddayandnighttopractice,tobecomeamemberoftheUnitedStatestabletennisteam,witnessedthechangeofSinoUSrelations,andappearedinthe“DickKelvindttalkshow”program.Agambecameastarwithintellectualdisabilities.Becomeacelebrity,gettheattentionofpeopleisoneofthemanyAmericanteenagedream,butalsoembodiesthedreamofAmerican.AftertheretirementofAgamcomeupwithalltheirsavings,boughtashrimpboat,withtheirowneffortsanddedicationtoachievethedreamofbecomingamillionaire.Agamwithhisownhardworkandeffortstoachieveeconomicindependence,financialfreedom,whichisanimportantaspectoftheAmericandream.America’sreputationisalandofopportunity,wealthandfame,andasaresultofthisstruggle,almosteveryAmericanDreamhasbecomeacelebrityandamillionaire.WealthforAgam,itseemstorepresentagoodsituation,sothathecannowbehappytodowhatyouwanttodothematerialfoundation.Toachievetheirfinancialfreedom,todecidetheirownlife,thisisnotonlytheAmericandream,withthespreadofAmericanculture,whichgraduallybecometheworld’severyonehasadream.Inthefilm,whethertheprotagonistForrestGumporthesupportingcharactersJenny,Bubba,LieutenantDanandForrestGump’smotherallreflectthevaluesofindividualismandheroismtosomeextent.ThevalueofindividualismisparticularlyprominentinthewayofeducationofForrestGump’smother.ForrestGumpisan“imbecile”withanIQof75,andaccordingtostatelawcanonlybeeducatedinspecialschools.However,ForrestGump’smotherrepeatedlystressedondifferentoccasionsthatForrestGumpisthesameasotherchildren,andtoldhim“don’tletanyonesaytheyarebetterthanyou”,“youarethesameasothers,youarenotdifferent”,whichfinallymadeForrestGumpgetequaleducationopportunitiesandtherighttobeindependent.IntheprocessofForrestGump’sgrowth,thefilmdoesnotshowanyinterferenceorobstructionofhismother’sfreegrowthanddevelopment.Beforehewenttoschool,hismothersimplytoldhim,“Youhavetostartstudyinghard.”Shedidnotgivehimanyinstructionsforsettlingdowntoschool,asOrientalparentsdo.Whenhewasbulliedbyhisfriendsinhischildhood,ForrestGumpdidnotexpectanyonetohelphim.Instead,hebrokefreefromtheshacklesofhisfeetandgainedthefreedomtorun.Incollege,ForrestGumpcanfreelychoosetobeafootballplayer,andbecomeafamousstar;HismotherrespectedForrestGump’schoicetojointhearmy,andsimplytoldhim“youmustcomehomesafely”.ForrestGumpthensteppedonthedangerousbattlefieldinVietnam.Afterleavingthearmy,GumpchosetofulfillhispromisetoBubba,completelyignoringLieutenantDan,Bubba’sfamilyandpeersridicule,single-mindedshrimpcareer.Inlove,ForrestGumptreatedJennywithouttheeasternwayofchasingandbeating,veryrespectforherchoice,andinindependentthinking,thechoiceofthepremiseofmarriagewithJenny.Thefilmpresentsanoverallstorythatisguidedbyindividualisticprinciples,emphasizingindividualfreedom,independence,equalityforall,andrespectforchoice,whilealsoreflectingtheprevailingethosofAmericansociety.3.2PursuitofLibertyandEqualityInourmind,Americanshavealwaysbeenfreeandindependent.Asthemostdevelopedcountryintheworld,thislifeistrulyfreeandindependent,butitisnot.Therearealsomanyunfreeandunequalphenomena.ButForrestGumpwasnotswayedbyfateinthislife,instead,hehadhisowndestiny.Hehasalwaysbeenpursuingtruefreedomandequalityinhisownway.3.2.1SimpleSelf-effortInthefilm,althoughForrestGumpisafoolconsideredbyordinarypeople,hehasasenseoftranscendenceanduniquenationalpersonalitythatordinarypeopledonothave.Hismentallyretardedmindretainshissimplicityandinnocence,whichunintentionallybetterdemonstratesthe“Americandream”andtheAmericanspirit.Duetohisbrainproblemsandlegdisease,ForrestGumpexperiencedthedifficultiesthatordinarypeoplecannotbear.throughthedifferentlifevaluesofForrestGumpandhisgirlfriend,thefilmdeducesdifferentlifeendings,whichshowsthatlifeistheresultofeachperson’sownchoice,andthiscausalrelationshipisakindoffate.ForrestGumpisloyaltohisfeelings,loyaltohisfaith,althoughhehasmanythingsunsatisfactory,buthisspiritualfoundationoflife,alwaysassolidasarock.ThefilmpresentstheAmericanspiritasanobjectoffaithinGod,butitalsorevealsrealsufferinganddisaster,aswellasthedistrustofGodandprofit-seekingbriberyoftheAmericanpeople.Inthe1960sand1970s,theUnitedStatesandForrestGumpexperiencedaseriesofeventsthatshockedtheworld,includingbutnotlimitedtodesegregation,theVietnamWar,theJFKmurders,thehippiemovement,theUSmoonlandings,theestablishmentofdiplomaticrelationsbetweenChinaandtheUnitedStates,andtheWatergatescandal.sothatthefilmunderthegrandnarrativebackground,UsingthespiritofanordinaryAmericanasafocusingmirror,itsuccessfullyintroducesbeautytotheaudience.TheindividualisticvaluesoftheChinesecivilianspirit.Fromthepointtothesurface,fromthemicrotothemacro,theartisticoriginalityofForrestGumpistohighlysummarizethemainstreamspiritualcultureofAmericansinthisera.AlthoughthisfilmisatrueexpressionofthemainstreamspiritofAmericanculture,thisspiritdoesnotmeanthatitisbeautiful.Manyofthesespiritsarehelplesstofateandbearingtheburdenoffate.Thebiggestfrustrationoflifefateisthatpeoplewilldie,whichiscruel.“Deathisnotonlyanimportantpartoflife,itisalsooneofitsmeanings,”ForrestGump’smothersaidwithasmileonherdeathbed.3.2.2PersonalSuccessontheRunThroughoutthemovie,wecanseethatForrestGumpisasimple,persistentandpragmaticman.Hewasdifferentfromotherssincechildhood,withlowintelligence,butheneverthoughtwhy,onlywithhistalentandeffortstodoeverythingtotheend.Ashismothersaid,“TakewhatGodgivesyouanddoyourbest.”LiketherunofFebruary14daysin3yearsinthedrama,justbecausetheywanttogooutforawalk,orjustliketheblackofficersintheVietnamWarsaidForrestGumpisageniussoldier,thesecondhalfofthearmytoplaytabletennis,maybejustasimple.Thenthereispersistence.Mostpeopleintheworldmayknowtheirtalentatacertainage,butfewpeoplecansticktoit,maybetheylackapersistence.FromForrestGump’slifecoursecanbeseen,fromhisfeelingsforJennycanalsobeseen.AsforhisfeelingsforJenny,hesummedupasentence:“Idon’tknowhowtoretain,onlyknowhowtowait.”Saidhedidnotknowtoretain,mayberelatedtohisinnateintelligenceisnotgood,theplayatleasttwoopportunitiestochangefeelingswithJenny.ForrestGumpwasoflittlesocialstandingduringhisearlyyearsintheUnitedStates,whenhisfatherlefthimandhismotherfledwithonlyhismother.Lovinghimandraisinghim.Theorphanandwidowedmotherwasalreadyveryweak,butForrestGumpisacongenitalmentallyretardedchildren,eventhelegscannotwalkasnormalasahealthychild.InordertocorrectForrestGumpwalking,themotherletthedoctorspeciallydesignedforhissontocorrecttheplateclamp,ForrestGumpcanonlywearthesplinttobarelywalk.Motherledhissontosignupforschool,theteacherandthinkhisIQcannotreachthenormalstandardandremindthemothertoletthechildgotoaspecialschool,inthemother’shardbegged,ForrestGumpreluctantlygottheopportunitytogotoschooltoread.lssuchapersonwhowasonceridiculedbytheworldasa“fool”,bywearingsplintstowalksmallpeople,butinpeople’sdiscriminationandridiculelettheirownpotentialandadvantagetomaximizeplayout,hewithhisownunconvincedperseveranceandeffort,getridoftheheadofthe“fool”,“retarded”humiliatinghat,StrivingtobecomethefastestandmostrunkingintheUnitedStates,andwinninghonorsforrunningfastinAmericanfootballgames.ChapterFourInfluenceofIndividualismonAmericanCultureIndividualismisthecorecontentofAmericanculturalvalues.Individualism,originatingfromtheWest,wasbrandedasAmericanbytheWesternMovementandpresenteddifferentculturalconnotationswiththedevelopmentofsocietyindifferentperiodsofthe20thcentury.InthecourseofthedevelopmentofAmericansociety,thestrugglebetweenindividualityandpathbreakinghasbecomeaninternaldrivingforce.Intheprocess,individualismreachedanall-timehighandgraduallybecameadominanttrendofthought.TheserioussocialproblemsfacingtheUnitedStatesstemfromtheextremeexpansionofindividualism.UnderstandingthedualroleofindividualismintheUnitedStatesthroughthedialecticalperspectiveofMarxismcanhelpusmoreobjectivelyunderstanditsimpactandsignificance.4.1PositiveInfluenceofIndividualismonAmericanCultureTheindividualisticspiritofindependentstruggleandpioneeringspirithasbecomethekeynoteofAmericanlife.AstheinternaldrivingforceofAmericansociety,itplaysavitalroleintheadvancementofAmericanmaterialandspiritualcivilization.Intheprocess,individualismreachedanall-timehighandgraduallybecameadominanttrendofthought.ThevalueorientationandsubjectivityofindividualismistheprimarydrivingforceoftherapiddevelopmentofAmericansociety.4.1.1IndividualFreedomIntheWest,individualismisaspiritofinitiativethatincludesfreedom,struggle,etc.IntheWest,individualindependenceandpersonalrightsareemphasized,butthebottomlineandpremiseistorespectandguaranteetherightsofothers.TheimmigrantethosoftheUnitedStates,amongotherWesterncountries,hasbreathednewlifeintomainstreamvalues.Itisoneofthemostdevelopedanddynamicsocialformsinwesternsociety.Giventheintricaciesofinternationalrelationsandtheincreasinglyintensebusinessenvironment,theUnitedStatesisacutelyawarethatthepursuitofpersonalinterestsandvaluesmustbebasedonclosecooperationwithnationsandcollectives.Americanculturalthoughtscontainuniversalvaluessuchas“mutualhelpandfriendship”.Itisindividualism’srespectforhumanrightsandindividualvaluesthatmakesAmericansregardselfishandinconsideratebehaviorasunworthyofpromotion.Thisphenomenonshowsthat,inthecourseofindividualdevelopment,attentionisstillbeingpaidtotheestablishmentofgrouporganizationsinordertoensureorderandstabilityinsocietyandtoachieveacertainbalancebetweenindividualandcollectiveinterests.TheinfluenceofindividualismonAmericansocietyandpoliticsisreflectedinpromotingthedevelopmentanddevelopmentofmodernAmericandemocracy.ThemodelofseparationofpowersisthedirectexpressionofindividualisminAmericanpolitics.Itstheoreticalbasisistheinnatehumanrights,individualcenteredindividualismthought.The“democracy”systemintheUnitedStatesisdrivenbyindividualism.WiththedevelopmentofAmericancapitalism,individualismhasalwaysbeenagreatspiritualforcethatinspires,educatesandmobilizespeople.ItalsoconstantlyurgesthecontinuousimprovementoftheAmericandemocraticpoliticalsystem.4.1.2PromotionofEducationAmericanshaveabeliefthatsuccessisearned,notinherited.InAmerica,peopleappreciatewhatcanbeachievedthroughskillandunremittingeffort.IntheUnitedStates,theperspectiveofsocialpracticeandviabilityinraisingchildrenisparticularlyimportant,asitrelatestotheirfuturegrowthanddevelopment.Thefamily,asaformofsocialization,playsacrucialroleinchildren’sdevelopment.Familyeducationisanimportantpartofeducation.Themoretimeparentsspendwiththeirchildren,themoretheylearnabouthowtheyseetheworldandthemselves.Theindividual’sperceptionstandardsareaffectedtosomeextent,familyeducationintheUnitedStatesfocusesoncultivatingchildren’sabilitytoworkindependentlyandsurviveindependentlyinbotheducationalmethodsandcontents.InAmericanadolescence,parentsaremorelikelytogivetheirchildrenpositivesupportandencouragementthantogivethemtheprotectiontheyneed.Intheireyes,thechild’sdevelopmentisanaturalprocess.Thewayinwhichfamiliesareraisedembodiestheprinciplesofdemocracyandtransparency.Theydon’tinterfereinanythingwiththechildren.Childrenareencouragedtoexperimentandgaincourageandtrustbylearningfromtheirexperiencesandpracticesinnegotiations.Theyalsoallowchildrentoexplorenewthingsandproblemsthroughtheirownefforts.TheimpactofindividualismonAmericansocietyandeconomyshowsthatithasplayedapositiveroleinpromotingtheprosperityofAmericansocietyandeconomy.AcentralelementofAmericanindividualismistheemphasisonequalopportunity.EversincethefoundingoftheUnitedStates,peoplehavesoughttoimprovetheirmaterialconditions.AdamSmithappliedindividualismtotheeconomicfield,advocatingthatpeopletrytheirbesttopursueself-interestintherealeconomicfield,andcareaboutothersinthemoralfield,egoismandaltruism.Asaresult,everyoneisfreetopursuehisowninterests,andthewholesocietyprospersundertheguidanceofeconomiclaws.Toensureeconomicfreedom,thegovernmentcreatedsystemsthatincentivizedindividualstopursuematerialwealth,providingasteadystreamofinnovation,rapidtechnologicaldevelopment,rapidindustrialization,andimmigrationintothecapitalisteconomyoftheUnitedStates.Thesearetheconsequencesofeconomicpoliciesbasedonindividualism.AmidawaveofactivismintheWest,thespiritofindividualismhastakenonanunprecedentedappeal,fulfillingmillionsofAmericans’dreamsofprosperityandcontributingsignificantlytothenation’seconomicgrowth.IndividualistvalueshaveplayedapositiveroleinsupportingAmericaninitiatives,makingthemhighlycompetitiveandinnovative,whilealsoprovidingstrongsupportforsocialandeconomicdevelopmentintheUnitedStates.School,asanimportantcomponentoftheeducationsystem,playsaroleinguidingandpromotingindividualgrowth.Becauseofthelong-terminfluenceoftheindividualisttheory,Americanschooleducationhaspresenteditsuniquecharacteristicsintheteacher-studentrelationshipandteachingmethods.Theinteractionbetweenteacherandstudentisanequalandharmoniousrelationship.Thereisarelationshipofmutualunderstandingandtrustbetweenteachersandstudents.Inthecourseofstudy,studentsshouldrespecttheguidanceoftheirteachers,however,teachersshouldalsorespecttheirpersonalityandwork.Intheprocessofeducation,theestablishmentofanequalandharmoniousrelationshiphelpstopromotepsychologicalbalanceandemotionalcommunication,whicharenecessaryforthesmootheducation.Ingeneral,thereisoppositiontotheindoctrinationofteachingmethods,whichemphasizeindividualismandthedevelopmentofstudents’initiativeandpotential.Onthewhole,AmericanindividualismhaspermeateddeeplyintothehistoryoftheUnitedStatesandhasbecomeacorevalueofAmericanculture.Therefore,inthefieldofeducationintheUnitedStates,theuniquecharacteristicsofindividualisticculturearefullyreflected.4.1.3DiversityofCultureTheinfluenceofindividualisminAmericansocietyandcultureisreflectedinthediversityandprosperityofAmericanculture,infusingitwithnewvigorandimpetus.Americanculturedevelopsaroundthe“AmericanDream”.Basedontherelationshipbetweendifferentracesandnationalities,theculturepermeatedwithindividualismischaracterizedbyitspluralism.Thediversityofreligiousbelief,race,ethnicity,genderrequirement,class,education,languageandotheraspectsnotonlyreflectstherichconnotationofAmericanculture,butalsoembodiestheunifiedvalueandspirit.ThesymboloftheflourishingofAmericancultureisthevigorousdevelopmentofmassculture,amongwhichthemassmediaisthemostinfluential.