AMERICAN BEAUTY: LIFE THROUGH A CHILDS EYE
             "The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age, which means never losing your enthusiasm" (qtd. In Elibron). These are the words spoken by world-renowned author Aldous Huxley, whose words have made a lasting impression on Hollywood. Movie producers try to incorporate this child spirit into their movie characters.
             However, as movies are a parallel to real life, this childlike characteristic, would naturally mislead people into thinking they are dealing with a child. A situation which manifest itself in American Beauty, where the lead character Lester Burnham happens to be a typical middle-aged, free willed man, but one who is given treatment equivalent to that of a child by his family.
             Caroline, Lester's wife emphasizes her supremacy over her husband throughout the movie. Mirroring a relationship that an over powering mother would have with her child.
             Lester's mistreatment by Caroline is none so more apparent than at the banquet scene of the movie. Where Caroline gives specific instructions to Lester on how to act towards her business rivals, acting as if she were taking to a child. Caroline corrects Lester on every opinion he expresses, and if he says anything that she does not approve of, without hesitation, she pulls him aside and makes her thoughts clear. Like a well-trained child Lester is told what to do and expected to follow Caroline's orders without any questions. Disobedience will result in a severe punishment for Lester by Caroline, who has special ways of dealing with mischief.
             These unjustly punishments that Caroline gives to Lester take place inside their home. This is where Caroline shows no affection towards her husband. Instead she reprimands Lester by seeking love elsewhere, due to his purchase of a new automobile without her approval. An argument soon ensues wit
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