What is the journey of Lester Burnham in American Beauty ?

Question

What is the journey of Lester Burnham in American Beauty ?

Answer 1

His journey was to discover that it is worse to live in mediocredy for others then it is to live life fully, for yourself. Only when you learn to love yourself, can you fully and honestly love those around you.

The irony is that he was murdered just as he was reaching his place of full potential, because he caused another man to realize the shortcomings of his own life. Frank Fitz couldn't handle being everything he was told not to be. He killed Burnham as he could not face the fact that he could have lived an honest life, despite his circumstances. It was just too painful to see the reflection of what could have been himself in Burnham, over and over on a day to day basis.