Dwayne=Neitzsche

In 2006's instant classic, Little Miss Sunshine, the character of Dwayne, an "angry" and resilient teenage son, represents and/or demonstrates many aspects of Neitzsche's life and philosophy. Please keep in mind that all my information on Neitzsche so far is derived from a lecture series I've been listening to... I haven't studied too deeply. This allusion is made clear in the film by a large banner of Neitzsche's face hanging over Dwayne's bed. Neitzsche emphasizes the idea of physiological health (probably because he was a sickly boy growing up in Victorian society and constantly reminded to be "good" aka clean, un-adventurous, and well-mannered). The power of one's will to go on was most important... suicide is an ultimate failure... "man would rather will nothingness than not will". Dwayne is stuck with Frank, his suicidal uncle, to share a bedroom. Here the writer? director? brings in a nuance of ultimate defeat versus extreme will. Dwayne's extreme will is exemplified by his vow of silence, among other exercises, until he becomes a pilot. The life Dwayne creates for himself can be seen as ascetic and reclusive. Neitzsche, at some point, identifies scholars as the "new priests", with a will towards truth and life of ascetic study. Dwayne's goal to become a pilot also remains significant, as Neitzsche also remarks on "sick air" (being stuck in a pointy Victorian house all day with fussy women is enough to make the air seem stale and sick), and to be outside, dirty and dangerous, is a healthy freedom. For Dwayne, flying through the air would seem the ultimate escape from the sick air of his dysfunctional family.