摘 要：美国梦贯穿美国历史，是美国文学最重要的主题之一。本论文在对美国梦进行探讨的同时，结合玛德琳·英格的作品《时间的皱纹》，运用文献法分析这部作品中主人公美国梦的实现过程。本论文分析了玛德琳·英格笔下《时间的皱纹》中爱、宽容和坚持带给人的温暖和力量, 提出当代美国梦的价值和意义，研究了随着时间的推移美国梦的新的时代意义和不变的精髓。通过分析故事的主人公麦格在寻找科学家爸爸的路途中遇到的重重困难，再次强调爱、信念和不畏艰险是美国梦的精髓。

关键词：美国梦；起源；演变；《时间的皱纹》

Abstract：American Dream, which runs through American history, is one of the most important themes in American literature. Combining Madeleine L’Engle’s work A Wrinkle in Time, this paper adopts the method of literature analysis to analyze the American Dream and the fulfillment of the heroine’s American Dream. The objective of this paper is the analysis of American Dream through the novel A Wrinkle in Time. It talks about love, tolerance and persistence, all of which can bring warmth and strength to people. This paper also discusses the contemporary value and the significance of American Dream; meanwhile it explores the new meaning and essence of American Dream in the new era. Through analyzing the numerous difficulties the heroine Meg faced in the process of finding her father, this paper emphasizes that love, faith and bravery are still the essences of American Dream.

Key words: American Dream; origin; development; A Wrinkle in Time

Contents

摘 要 i

Abstract ii

I. Introduction 1

II. The American Dream 2

 2.1 The Origin and Development of American Dream 2

 2.2 The Evolution of the American Dream in American Literature 4

III. The Fulfillment of Meg’s American Dream 9

  3.1 Finding Her Father 9

  3.2 Saving Her Brother 11

IV. Conclusion 12

Bibliography 14

Acknowledgements 15

An Analysis of the American Dream in A Wrinkle in Time

I. Introduction

   Madeleine L’Engle was born in New York, on November 29, 1918. Her father was a literary and musical critic, and her mother was a famous pianist. Her imagination developed quickly with the influence of music. In her adulthood, music (especially classical music) became an important factor in her novel. Madeleine L’Engle tried to use the concept of “time travel” in her work A Wrinkle in Time which followed the British science fiction of Master Wells’s “time machine.” The young readers could see the unique charm of the book through the “time travel”.

   Madeleine L’Engle’ novel A Wrinkle in Time writes a story about a 15 years old girl named Meg. In order to find her missing father who was a scientist, she embarked on an extraordinary adventure in New England. Finally, Meg rescued her scientist father out of jail through the five dimensional spaces which is a dark and cold planet. On their exploring process, Meg experienced and understood the great power of love. She defeated the evil forces of the universe with love and protected the peace of the whole universe. The novel inspired readers’ curiosity among children, which is not only a simple science fiction novel, but also a typical Madeleine L’Engle’s novel. The imaginative novel leaves a wide imagining space for readers. We know that the story is fictitious, but it can inspire people to re-consider the various possibilities of life. On the process of finding her father, Meg overcame loneliness, fears, sadness and despair with the help of the three angles. Meg’s character was changed gradually and she learned to understand the person around her, and restored the family relationships with her brother. She adhered to her dream and finally got family reunion. The story offers people power to pursue their dreams, to follow their hearts and to fight against their fears and cowardice. It also inspires people to believe that love and persistence bring to success. There is nothing can prevent you from giving up except yourself. The difficulties are smaller than what you thought.