Abstract Heroism is an essential element in every culture, and it is often the theme shaped especially in TV plays or movies and in British literature. Harry Potter and Journey to the West are respectively the English and Chinese literature classic fantasy films, shaping the two well-known heroes——Harry Potter and the Monkey King, The reason why compared the two protagonists is that both of them reflect the intensive heroism, in the course of their lives, they act as a savior and spiritual support to others, there is a certain similarity and embodying the differences in Chinese and Western heroism. This paper compares the heroism embodied from the two protagonists in Harry Potter and Journey to the West, thus to explore the similarities and differences of heroism between Chinese and American cultures. 53923

Key Words：hero；heroism；movie；culture

摘要英雄主义是每一种文化中必不可少的元素，由其是在影视文化和文学作品中，更是经常被塑造的主题。《哈利波特》和《西游记》分别是英国和中国文学中经典的魔幻影视作品，塑造了两个家喻户晓的英雄人物——哈利波特和孙悟空，之所以将两者进行比较，是因为这两者都体现出了浓重的英雄主义色彩，都在各自的人生历程中，一定程度上充当了别人的救世主和精神支柱，有着一定的相似度。本文通过对比《哈利波特》和《西游记》这两部影视作品中主人公身上所体现出来的英雄观的异同，以小观大，来探究中西方文化中英雄主义的异同。

毕业论文关键词：英雄；英雄主义；文化；电影 

Contents

1．Introduction 1

2．Literature Review 2

3．Introduction of Traditional Culture on Heroism 2

3.1 The Traditional Heroism in China 3

3.2 The Traditional Heroism in the West 4

4．Heroism in Harry Potter and Journey to the West 5

4.1 Heroism in Harry Potter 6

4.2 Heroism in Journey to the West 6

5．The Similarities of Heroism Reflected by Harry Potter and Journey to the West 6

5.1 Similar Background 7

5.2 Similar Experience 8

5.3 Similar Image of Heroes 8

6． The Differences of Heroism Reflected by Harry Potter and Journey to the West 10

6.1 Trans formation Between the Status of Nonself and Self 10

6.2 Different Feminine Images in Hero Culture 11

6.3 Different View of Emotion 12

6.4 Different Ethics 13

6.5 Distinct Religious Theme 14

7．Causes for the Differences 15

7.1 The causes of Chinese heroism 15

7.2 The causes of American heroism 16

8．Conclusion 16

Work Cited 18

 1. Introduction

Heroes, who are regarded as the talent and outstanding valiants. They are always be the model for people to imitate at an age. They are the epitome of human's will to challenge the social repression and natural power. Heroism enriches people's mental world and stimulates the society's improvement. The enormous influence has been exerted around the world. From Pan Gu, Kua Fu, legendary emperors to Achilles, Agamemnon and Beowulf, during the long years, from the east to the west, from poetry to drama, from the prose to novel, the praise of heroes has been the eternal theme. The heroic spirit has influenced people for generations till now. In Wu Ying's article, Thomas Carlyle's explanation is quoted to tell that heroism in history was greatness of spirit, which was created by the heroes, who not only create the values by which other men live and gain their only true freedom but also satisfy mankind’s deep need for veneration of heroes(Wu Ying,2009:7). 对比分析中西方魔幻影视中英雄主义以《哈利·波特》与《西游记》为例:http://www.youerw.com/yingyu/lunwen_58108.html