Dominant Gaze:
Williams' dominant active gaze = punishment is reversed here. Instead of the female being punished for her desires and fantasies, it is the man who is punished, leading towards his death, which is Lester. Williams argued that when we see the film through the females eyes and she is dominant and active she is punished, however American Beauty is portrayed through Lester's perspective, therefore this theory is reversed.
Male Gaze:
The male gaze however is used here. We see women viewed as objects. For example Angela is portrayed through a sexual, voyeuristic gaze, and Lester's wife, Carolyn is viewed through the male gaze being the submissive housewife. However, this is reversed when we see her having an affair, making Lester submissive. The film could also subvert the characteristics of the male gaze as it deals with homosexuality through father of the next door neighbour.
The symbolism of the red rose could also portray yonic imagery, whilst the gun portrays phallic. The fact that it is the gun that kills Lester could symbolise the male hierarchy and dominance over women.
Voyeurism:
Kaplan's submissive Gaze:
You look through the eyes of the female towards the end of the film. You look through Carolyn's eyes when she realised Lester's death, and similarly with Angela when we realise how young she actually is.
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