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The Search For a Meaningful Life in “American Beauty”
The desire to lead a meaningful life is shared by all humans. A life without meaning is a life without purpose. The prospects of this notion – that is, a purposeless life – are disconcerting and so humans will often go to great lengths to give their lives significance. Alan Ball’s “American Beauty” is a film that presents several points of view on this issue. ... Caroline sees meaning in life in terms of materialism and outward superficiality. Lester, on the other hand, sees meaning in life in terms of freedom and life itself, (i. ... the intrinsic beauty of life). ... Caroline’s view of the meaning of life is purely outward orientated. She believes an external appearance is key to living a perfect life. ... ” She is dependent on others to give her life meaning. ... ” Caroline’s life is devoid of any real meaning. ... This isn’t life. ... There is no meaningful emotional connection, only blinding shallow infatuation. ... This is my life.” And such is Lester Burnham’s life: plain, ordinary, boring and average. ... Life to an outsider would seem to be enjoyably pleasant. ... ” The life he is leading is not what he wants; it is not his vision of what life should be. Looking back he says, “I had my whole life ahead of me.” Life is more than what he has. ... This poses a problem since that world is his life as well. ... Lester is reawakened from his life paralyzing “sedation” after seeing Angela perform in a dance squad. It revives his passion for life (symbolized by the red rose pedals) and destroys his acceptance of an ordinary life. ... ” His life has been given meaning. ... Enjoying life and its inherent beauty is all that matters to him.
Approximate Word count = 1469
Approximate Pages = 5.9
(250 words per page double spaced)
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