“美国梦”不仅是美国文学的独特主题,同时在整个美国社会也是家喻户晓。“美国梦”的主旋律是每个人都拥有平等的权利去实现梦想,通过自己的努力而不管他的社会地位,受教育程度以及家庭情况,但是,随着社会的发展和经济的增长,尤其是在拜金主义的影响下,“美国梦”已经与其原来的意义大相径庭,大家对梦想趋之若鹜,即使是以违背基本道德为代价。因此,很多人在追逐梦想的过程当中对社会现实感到失望,在违背基本道德观念实现梦想以后进而难以恢复内心的平静。本文通过对小说主人公行为和思想的分析和描述来揭示“美国梦的主旨”嘉莉最终成为了著名的演员,但她的成功是不道德的,所以,她内心空虚,极度自责。本文通过对德莱赛的代表作《嘉莉妹妹》的分析,以此来揭示嘉莉美国梦破灭的实质。 “American Dream” is not only a unique theme of American literature, but also a household name throughout the United States. The theme of “American Dream” is that everyone has equal rights to realize their dreams. Through their own efforts regardless of their social status, educational level and family situation, however, with the development of society and economic growth, Especially under the influence of money-worship, the “American Dream” has been completely different from its original meaning. Everyone flies to their dreams even at the expense of violating the basic moral. Therefore, many people are disappointed with the social reality in the process of chasing their dreams and are thus unable to restore their inner peace after realizing their dreams in violation of the basic moral concepts. Through the analysis and description of the protagonist’s acts and thoughts, this article reveals that “the theme of American dreams” Carrie finally became a famous actor. However, her success was immoral. Therefore, she was extremely empty and reproached. This article analyzes the essence of Carrie’s American dream through the analysis of Dreiser’s Sister Carrie.