American Beauty represents some of the theories originated by the psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud and the developments made by Jacques Lacan. I will use the theories of Sigmund Freud and Jacques Lacan to psychoanalyze the film American Beauty (1999). The main focus of psychoanalysis will surround the main character, Lester Burnham because he conforms to many theories on the subject. For example, American Beauty portrays a strong focus on desire that is closely tied to psychoanalytic theory. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay Freud believed that human behavior was the result of the interaction between the three parts of the mind. Each of the three parts: the id, the ego and the superego is represented in American Beauty. I will use Freud's psychoanalytic theory of personality to analyze how Lester's deranged human psyche is focused in the film. Lester relates to the ego at the beginning of the film where his wife is the superego that is superior to him, but this changes throughout the narrative as we see his movement towards the id. Lester's transformation is compatible with Freud's assertion that desire and the id the unconscious go hand in hand. The fantasies that Lester begins to have are related to the idea of ​​the unconscious mind. Lester liked the idea of ​​his fantasies, but realized that they could never become reality. I will discuss the transitions in Lester's personality and connect them to relevant examples in the essay such as how the role and restoration of the human psyche are conveyed. Lacan built on Freud's work and considered the human psyche to be divided into three divisions of the imaginary, the symbolic and the real. I will use Lacan's work on the “ideal ego” where the individual conforms to their surroundings (symbolic) rather than adopting their own “ideal ego” (imaginary). For example, in American Beauty, Lester's ideal self is limited by society and what is considered moral. Society's influence on desire is portrayed in the film due to Lester's sexual repression. Lester's repressed sexual impulses appear through his fantasies about Angela because they represent his true desires. According to psychoanalytic theory, fantasies must be unrealistic and desired objects must remain absent. The idea that the fantasy is not actually what one wants, but the idea of ​​it is expressed in the film when Lester's desire for Angela is shattered when he learns of her naivety. He transforms from a sexually driven character to a paternal character which further illustrates the ego ideal. Lacan goes beyond Freud by seeing more than a simple transition to the id through his theory of the mirror stage. I will use this theory to describe how Lester symbolically goes through the mirror phase in American Beauty as he goes through a period of self-realization in his adulthood. Lester adopts new personal attributes as his fantasies about Angela create an awakening for him. His new identity is formed by the way he sexually objectifies Angela. His desire for her triggers his development throughout the film. The mirror phase is evident because Lester takes on power where he was previously powerless and becomes more self-aware. Related to this, I will use Lacan's concept that desires arise from a certain lack in life. For example, Lester's desire for Angela in American Beauty begins as a one-off fantasy to avoid his monotonous life. The lack of excitement in Lester's life gives rise to his desire for a young girl. Lacan proposes the ideal ego and Lester's is that of feeling oneself.