A large sneaker wearing a paper party hat stands beside a smaller sneaker, their laces tied together.

Original artwork, not a still

Jane Burnham

I need a father who's a role model, not some horny geek-boy who's gonna spray his shorts whenever I bring a girlfriend home from school.

— American Beauty

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

The speaker demands a father who sets an example and condemns sexual interest in girlfriends brought home from school. The crude description intensifies the embarrassment and anger. At its centre is a complaint that a parent’s behaviour falls far short of the role they should fulfil.

Context reviewed

Share this quote