 Pennington argues that American Beauty defines its characters through their sexuality . Lester 's attempts to relive his youth are a direct result of his lust for Angela , and the state of his relationship with Carolyn is in part shown through their lack of sexual contact . Also sexually frustrated , Carolyn has an affair that takes her from " cold perfectionist " to a more carefree soul who " [ sings ] happily along with " the music in her car . Jane and Angela constantly reference sex , through Angela 's descriptions of her supposed sexual encounters and the way the girls address each other . Their nude scenes are used to communicate their vulnerability . By the end of the film , Angela 's hold on Jane has weakened until the only power she has over her friend is Lester 's attraction to her . Col. Fitts reacts with disgust to meeting Jim and Jim ; he asks , " How come these faggots always have to rub it in your face ? How can they be so shameless ? " To which Ricky replies , " That 's the thing , Dad — they don 't feel like it 's anything to be ashamed of . " Pennington argues that Col. Fitts ' reaction is not homophobic , but an " anguished self @-@ interrogation " . 
 Pennington <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>argues</mark></a> that American Beauty <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>defines</mark></a> its characters through their sexuality . Lester <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>attempts to relive his youth <a href='drop_aux' title='4'><mark>are</mark></a>a direct result of his lust for Angela , and the state of his relationship with Carolyn is in part shown through their lack of sexual contact . Also sexually frustrated , Carolyn <a href='got' title='5'><mark>has</mark></a> an affair <a href='null_relcl' title='6'><mark>that</mark></a><a href='uninflect' title='7'><mark>takes</mark></a> her from " cold perfectionist " to a more carefree soul <a href='null_relcl' title='8'><mark>who</mark></a>" [ sings ] happily along with " the music in her car . Jane and Angela constantly reference sex , through Angela <a href='null_genetive' title='9'><mark>'s</mark></a>descriptions of her supposed sexual encounters and the way the girls address each other . Their nude scenes are used to communicate their vulnerability . By the end of the film , Angela <a href='null_genetive' title='10'><mark>'s</mark></a>hold on Jane <a href='been_done' title='11'><mark>has</mark></a> weakened until the only power she <a href='uninflect' title='12'><mark>has</mark></a> over her friend <a href='drop_aux' title='13'><mark>is</mark></a>Lester <a href='null_genetive' title='14'><mark>'s</mark></a>attraction to her . Col. Fitts <a href='uninflect' title='15'><mark>reacts</mark></a> with disgust to meeting Jim and Jim ; he <a href='uninflect' title='16'><mark>asks</mark></a> , " How come these faggots always have to rub it in your face ? How can they be so shameless ? " To which Ricky <a href='uninflect' title='17'><mark>replies</mark></a> , " That 's the thing , Dad — they don 't feel like it 's anything to be ashamed of . " Pennington <a href='uninflect' title='18'><mark>argues</mark></a> that Col. Fitts <a href='null_genetive' title='19'><mark>'</mark></a>reaction <a href='negative_concord' title='20'><mark>is</mark></a> <a href='negative_concord' title='21'><mark>not</mark></a>homophobic , but an " anguished self @-@ interrogation " . 
Pennington argue that American Beauty define its characters through their sexuality . Lester  attempts to relive his youth a direct result of his lust for Angela , and da state of his relationship with Carolyn is in part shown through their lack of sexual contact . Also sexually frustrated , Carolyn got an affair take her from " cold perfectionist " to a more carefree soul " [ sings ] happily along with " the music in her car . Jane and Angela constantly reference sex , thru Angela  descriptions of her supposed sexual encounters and the way tdagirls address each other . Their nude scenes are used to communicate their vulnerability . By the end of the film , Angela  hold on Jane done weakened til thdanly power she have over her homie Lester  attraction to her . Col. Fitts react with disgust to meeting Jim and Jim ; he ask , " How cum dese faggots always gotta rub it in yo face ? How can they be so shameless ? " To which Ricky reply , " dat 's thedaing , pops — they don 't feel like it 's anything to be ashamed of . " Pennington argue that Col. Fitts  reaction ain't homophobic , but an " anguished self @-@ interrogation " .