Eugenie Grandet is the novel of France. And many people consider that there is a big distance between their cultures: the French culture and the American culture, so the major role in Eugenie Grandet-Grandet cannot reflect the American society. However, this thesis considers the two countries’ people have great cultural communication. And it analyzes the cultural communication from two sides: the history and the philosophy.

From the historical perspective, they learn that the Frenchmen and the Americans had cultural communication long ago. For example, the War of Independent in the U.S, without the help of France, however, the Americans would not have won the day. The hope of such aid was one important reason why Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776, for European states would not interfere so long as the colonies still recognized the English kings. Agents sent secretly to France were able to procure clothing and muskets. Individual Frenchmen, served as volunteers in the American army. The great victory of Saratoga in 1777, made possible by gunpowder received from France, seemed to assure the final triumph of the American cause. France now recognized the independence of the United States and formed an open alliance with Congress in January 1778. The new alliance enabled Congress to borrow an immense sum of money from France. French troops were sent to take part in the war and they fought to the end at York town. France also induced Spain to make war on England in 1779. After the Americans won the war, the Frenchmen presented the Statue of Liberty to Americans. The Frenchmen built close relationship with Americans. And many Frenchmen immigrated into America for pursuing money, business, and happiness. To some extent, the French outlook on money influenced the American’s.

From the philosophical perspective, they learn that everything has a connection in the world, so they cannot separate one thing from another. From Eugenie Grandet, they know that Grandet is the representative of money. However, when they mention Americans, the majority of people consider Americans as materialists and the lovers of money. Pursuing money has really become a key part in the American life and in a very important position. In one survey in America, there are 89 percent agreed that their society is much too monetary, 74 percent said love of money is a serious social problem. In their life, they believe money is bound to come true, and money is everything.

However, in the Unites states, there are still a lot of people who are kind and warm-hearted. They give their money to help others. They are the God’s presents. Just for private donation, it is not just the riches that donate in American society. In fact, a majority of the USA’s population contributes to charitable causes, even from the middle-class and the working classes. In this point, they are different from Grandet. They are not the rich men, but they are warm-hearted. What they have done is the same as Grandet’s daughter did.

So this thesis should have deep analyses of Grandet phenomenon in America, which help us understand the Americans’ outlook on money.

III.The Americans’ Outlook on Money