The Birth And Transformation Of American Myth

In American society, there are two types of civilization myths, WASP myth and modern American myth. The WASP myth is mainly about several types of apotheosis in American culture. To be specific, they are the apotheosis of historic events, important heroic figures and some coincidences. The voyage to and the settlement on the new colonies by the Puritan fathers, the massive Westward Movement, the heroic accomplishments of several founding fathers, the coincidental deaths of three beloved presidents and the assassinations of Lincoln and J.F.K were all given a sacred and symbolic meaning, and the heroes of these events became sanctified in American people's mind. The modern American myth didn't emerge until the mass culture matured in American society, and the mature mass culture in America owed a lot to the mass media, which is the technological foundation for the mass culture. The modern American myth is about the birth of those superstars from the sports and entertainment circle who have played more and more important roles in a commercialized consumer society. The WASP myth and the modern American myth are two complementary myths in modern American society. They share the same root, i.e., the belief in the American Dream. This powerful belief can be interpreted at national level and individual level, and this belief is also the key to the uniqueness of the United States of America. The two types of myths may be regarded as the externalization of this belief, and accordingly, if we can understand these myths well, we will have a new insight into American culture.