| Acknowledgements | 第1-7页 |
| 摘要 | 第7-8页 |
| Abstract | 第8-9页 |
| 前言 | 第9-20页 |
| Chapter I Introduction | 第20-27页 |
| Chapter II Nature Image and Ralph's American Dream | 第27-43页 |
| A. The Beginning of Ralph's American Dream | 第28-32页 |
| 1. The American Dream and Ralph's Misinterpretation of It | 第28-30页 |
| 2. The Sunset and Ralph's Unrealistic American Dream | 第30-32页 |
| B. Ralph's Determination to Pursue the American Dream | 第32-36页 |
| 1. The Myth of the American Dream Indicated through the Recurrent Moon Images | 第32-34页 |
| 2. Ralph's Choice as Implied by Two Worlds in the Woods | 第34页 |
| 3. The Star Image Reflecting Ralph's Narcissism and Predicting His Final Decision | 第34-36页 |
| C. The Pursuit and the Illusion of Ralph's American Dream | 第36-38页 |
| 1. Ralph's Failure in the Rain Foreshadowing the Illusion of His American Dream | 第36-37页 |
| 2. Ralph's Obscure and Ambiguous Feelings Imbued with the Gray Sky Image | 第37-38页 |
| D. Ralph's Awakening from His American Dream | 第38-43页 |
| 1. Ralph's Redemption by the Shadow on the Wall | 第38-39页 |
| 2. The Snow Image—a Symbol of Ralph's Resurrection | 第39-40页 |
| 3. The Theme and Jen's Intention in the Linear Structure of the Cloud, Rain and Snow Images | 第40-43页 |
| Chapter III Deconstructing the American Dream through Other Images | 第43-67页 |
| A. Deconstructing the American Dream from the Lack of Equality and Freedom in the Character's Life | 第43-51页 |
| 1. Discrimination and Isolation Embodied by the House Image | 第43-45页 |
| 2. Fujing Qingzui—a Satire to the Equality Promised by the American Dream | 第45-46页 |
| 3. The Irrational Assimilation Implied by the Grass and Flower Images | 第46-48页 |
| 4. The American Dream Deconstructed by Theresa's Emotional Life through the Light and Mirror Images | 第48-51页 |
| B. The Baselessness of the American Dream | 第51-56页 |
| 1. The Chicken Palace on a Landfill Symbolizing the Baselessness of the American Dream | 第51-52页 |
| 2. The Baselessness of the American Dream Indicated by the Carnation Image | 第52-53页 |
| 3. The Baselessness of the American Dream Suggested by the Food Image | 第53-54页 |
| 4. The Baselessness of the American Dream Illuminated by Sound Image of Cash Machine | 第54-56页 |
| C. The Tragic Tone of the American Dream | 第56-60页 |
| 1. The Image of Siren's Songs | 第56-57页 |
| 2. The Red and Dark Color and the Blood Image | 第57-60页 |
| D. Jen's Attitudes towards the Pursuit of the American Dream | 第60-67页 |
| 1. Negative Effect of the Pursuit of the America Dream through the Satan, Dog and Priest Images | 第61-64页 |
| 2. Jen's Cynical Satire Revealed by Erlang Shen and Po Lengshui Images | 第64-67页 |
| Chapter IV Conclusion | 第67-69页 |
| Works Cited | 第69-74页 |
| Works Consulted | 第74-79页 |
