3. The Cultural Differences of American and Chinese Heroism 

3.1The Definition of Culture

Linell Davis gives his definition of culture: the total accumulation of beliefs, customs and values shared, learned and passed down through the generations in an identifiable group of people. (Linell Davis, 2001)

Heroism, as a concept of a kind of ideology, reflects the very central part of the culture, which is the concept of value. So heroism, especially nowadays, plays a more and more important role in the culture transmission. Ci Hai has an explanation towards heroism, that is , heroism is a kind of eternal spirit and behavior that one can intuitively complete a task which has a significant meaning and shows the bravery and strength, and it is displayed by the people who is good in quality, brave in fighting and warm-hearted in helping others.(Ci Hai, 2335). However, different cultures have different treats and traditions, and they will have different definitions towards heroism. Heroes behave differently influenced by cultural differences. Lu Durong and Wang Xiu say that it is the responsibility and goal for every culture to create its own hero and to keep its essential and inner parts of culture and protect itself against going collapse(Lu Durong,Wang Xiu, 2006:153-155). Chinese and Western cultures create their own heroes according to their own value systems, which is most obviously expressed in the movies that are playing the very important roles through the interaction among cultures nowadays.