Abstract: The thesis first introduces the main content of the novel --- The Pursuit of Happyness. Chris Gardner is the protagonist in this novel, who shows us how to make one’s effort to pursue happiness and realize one’s dream through his whole life. The thesis analyzes the chaos of the social reality of life and welfare system in America. Cultural differences make a difference in the cultural values in different countries and Americans have their own unique cultural values. In order to understand these cultural values better, this thesis uses The Pursuit of Happyness as an example to interpret the core value of America---individualism. Individualism is the core of American culture, as well as the main body of the American spirit. The thesis introduces the development of individualism and focuses on the American individualist values, such as the spirit of self-help, the respect for others, the personal struggle, the sense of responsibility and so on. The whole novel shows the typical ideas of American individualism everywhere.

Key words: The Pursuit of Happyness; Individualism; dream realization 

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction 1

1.1 The introduction of The Pursuit of Happyness 

1.2 American individualism Values

2.  American Individualism in the novel.2

2.1 Chris Gardner’s Spirit of Independence and Self-Help 

2.2 The Respect for Others

2.3 Chris Gardner’s Hard Struggle 

2.4 Chris Gardner’s Sense of Responsibility for the Individual, Family and Society

3.Conclusion 6

Bibliography.7

Acknowledgements.8