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. 

Key Words：hero；heroism；movie；culture

Contents

Abstract

摘要

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