Research Paper On American Beauty

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The American dream, the thought that every American has the ability to achieve happiness and success (Dictionary), is an unreachable dream as demonstrated in American Beauty by Sam Mendes. American Beauty is an honest portrayal of the American dream, it demonstrates the evolution of the American dream from a fulfilling life aspiration to an obsession with the ‘perfect’ image created by society and in the process of trying to achieve this ideal image the cost becomes much greater than the outcome. Lester and Carolyn Burnham have shaped their lives to what they think portrays success and happiness by obsessing over image, money and success and in doing so sacrifice their own well being as well as their relationships with others. The idea of …show more content…
I’m not exactly sure what, but I know I didn’t always feel this sedated” (IMDb), Lester’s sedated feeling is one of un-fulfillment. Lester has spent much of his adult life attempting to conform to society’s idea of success. Lester reaches a breaking point, realizing that the cost of his sanity and family is not worth this so called American “dream” and decides to put his happiness and desires first, he quits his job to work at a fast food restaurant, spends a copious amount of money on toys and shows no reaction to Carolyn’s affair; “our marriage is just for show, a commercial,” (IMDb) this quote by Lester portrays how he has lived his life bound by the idea that he must meet the standards set by society and Carolyn. In addition, Lester has spent his adult life working a job he does not enjoy, married to a woman too enthralled in the appearance of things and pretending to be someone he wasn’t, making him a miserable person and creating a divide between him and his daughter, Jane, as well as Carolyn. Lester evolves from a “sedated” and unhappy man to one whom can appreciate life and his family, realizing that living another person’s dream is not the key to his own

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