摘要

任碧莲是当代华裔美国作家中的后起之秀。《典型的美国佬》是任碧莲于1991年发表的第一部长篇小说，被评价为“迄今为止书写移民身份最好的一部书”。该小说讲述了身为华裔移民的张家人在纽约追求美国梦的曲折又耐人寻味的经历。

本文首先对任碧莲及其作品《典型的美国佬》进行介绍。然后借助马洛斯需要层次理论详细分析主人公拉尔夫的心理需要满足情况。接下来，通过对促使拉尔夫自我成长的内在和外在因素的解读，得到对新一代华裔的成长和自我实现的一些启示。最后得出结论：在美国多元文化环境下，华裔移民在自我实现和自我成长的过程中都不能忘其根本；为立足于社会，对中美两种文化进行有鉴别的吸收和融会贯通是华裔美国人必然的选择。

关键词：《典型的美国佬》；拉尔夫；马斯洛需要层次理论；自我成长

Contents

Abstract i

摘  要 ii

1. Introduction 1

1.1 Brief Introduction of Gish Jen 1

1.2 Brief Introduction of Typical American 2

1.2.1 Main Content 2

1.2.2 Ralph’s Family Background 3

2. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need Theory 4

2.1 Maslow’s Academic Backgrounds and Achievements 4

2.2 Hierarchy of Needs Theory 5

2.2.1 Deficiency Needs 5

2.2.2 Growth Needs 6

3. Satisfaction of Ralph’s Need 8

3.1 Physiological Needs 8

3.2 Needs for Safety 9

3.3 Needs for Love and Belonging 10

3.3.1 Marriage of Ralph and Helen 10

3.3.2 Loss of Belongingness in American Society 10

3.4 Needs for Esteem 11

3.4.1 Self-esteem 11

3.4.2 Esteem from Others 12

4. Ralph’s Road to Self-actualization and Self-growth 13

4.1 Wakening up to Self-actualization 13

4.2 Factors Driving Ralph’s Self-growth 14

4.2.1 Inner Needs 14

4.2.2 Outer Stimulation 15

5. Conclusion 16

Bibliography 17

Acknowledgements 19