American Beauty: the nuclear family in film
Today we are living in a time of increasing tolerance when it comes to alternative family forms, those other than the nuclear family. The nuclear family, made up of two biological parents and their children, is associated with the stability of the 1950s, when it was most prevalent. Because it is associated with stability it is assumed to be a superior family form, from which all others are deviant. The movie, American Beauty, challenges this assumption in its portrayal of two nuclear families, the Burnhams and the Fitts, and shows how the traditional roles of the nuclear family can damage family relationships and cause breakdowns in individuals. Even if these characters care for each other, the enforced roles of the 1950's nuclear family are stifling them and eventually leads to their own destruction. The central character of Lester Burnham essentially fails at all the traditional roles of the father of a nuclear family, and since he has been socialized to think that these roles are his only purpose in life, he feels like a failure. Lester, the narrator of the story, speaks of his misery in life with the opening scenes. He is a white collar worker at an advertising company, a job which he loathes. He works in a cubical along si
The movie American Beauty uses these examples of families to clearly resent the idea that nuclear families are harmful to the members and will often lead to the general destruction of them all. The emotional stress put on the characters by their roles in their families lead to emotional breakdowns, murder, and adultery. The frustration in their own lives prevents them from cultivation relationships with each other. Therefore, society is wrong in assuming this stifling family form is superior to alternatives that allow members to come together with trust and mutual cooperation, rather than obligatory roles that lead them down the path to their own demise. The most stereotypical male role of the 1950's nuclear family is represented by Mr. Fitts, however, this role of the traditional male in the nuclear family denies him the chance to develop his sense of self and the freedom to be that true self. Mr. Fitts is an ex-military man who brings the army home. He rules his house in a totalitarian manner, obviously king of his castle. He treats his son like a member of his regiment, and he expects ultimate respect and obedience. However, all these actions are his way of desperately trying to convince himself that he is a normal father and a real man, because he is a closeted homosexual. The shame of which, causes him to exhibit exaggerated homophobia. He can't control his sexuality the way he wants to, thus his insecurities make him desperate to control everything else in his life, so he can still be that nuclear family father. In essence, he is clinging to a role that is stifling, because he has been socialized to think that it is his duty as father and husband and it sends him over the edge. At last, he lets his secret out to Lester, thinking he too is gay, but he was mistaken. After he is so full of shame, pain of rejection, and the fear of being further exposed, that it pushes him to murder. de dozens of other people, each day putting on a song and dance for both his clients and his superiors. Thus, his job, though he believes it to be his necessary role as father and husband, diminishes his worth by crippling his self esteem; he is losing himself every day he goes to work. At h
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1479
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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