American Psycho
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
Setting: Manhattan, New York City, late 1980s
Major Characters: Patrick Bateman, a “rich kid” who works on Wall Street whose life primarily consists of staying on top of current trends, making sure he has the best of the best, and keeping himself looking as good as possible; Evelyn Richards, Bateman’s obsessed and spoiled girlfriend; Timothy Price, a friend of Bateman’s, thought to be killed, but appears at the end of the book as a more subdued character; Luis Carruthers, a closeted homosexual who admits his love for Bateman as he attempts to murder him; Courtney Lawrence, Luis’ girlfriend who is having an affair with Bateman.
Conflict: Man vs. self - Bateman constantly seeks retribution throughout the book. He has a reluctance to kill, but continues to do so because as he reaches out for help, others ignore him. A prime example of this internal conflict is when he confesses all the murders to his lawyer and his lawyer thinks that it is a joke. This oblivion is what eventually lets Bateman get away with his numerous murders.
Themes: Society’s oblivion to Bateman, shallowness of humanity
Plot Summary: The story begins with Bateman speaking to Tim Price on their way to dinner at Evelyn’s home. As they exit the car, Price teases a homeless man with money, which Bateman finds cruel. Throughout the night, Bateman determines that his girlfriend, Evelyn, is having an affair with his friend, Price. A few days later, Tim Price and Bateman go out to a nightclub. Price buys drugs that turn out to be an artificial sweetener, and becomes extremely tense. He disappears and no one sees him after that night. Bateman begins to date Courtney, a friend of Evelyn’s, while maintaining a relationship with Evelyn. When Bateman realizes that Courtney is not always available to him because of her boyfriend, Luis Carruthers, he decides to kill him. However, when Bateman attempts to choke Luis to death, he tells him that he has been in love with him
Setting: Manhattan, New York City, late 1980s
Major Characters: Patrick Bateman, a “rich kid” who works on Wall Street whose life primarily consists of staying on top of current trends, making sure he has the best of the best, and keeping himself looking as good as possible; Evelyn Richards, Bateman’s obsessed and spoiled girlfriend; Timothy Price, a friend of Bateman’s, thought to be killed, but appears at the end of the book as a more subdued character; Luis Carruthers, a closeted homosexual who admits his love for Bateman as he attempts to murder him; Courtney Lawrence, Luis’ girlfriend who is having an affair with Bateman.
Conflict: Man vs. self - Bateman constantly seeks retribution throughout the book. He has a reluctance to kill, but continues to do so because as he reaches out for help, others ignore him. A prime example of this internal conflict is when he confesses all the murders to his lawyer and his lawyer thinks that it is a joke. This oblivion is what eventually lets Bateman get away with his numerous murders.
Themes: Society’s oblivion to Bateman, shallowness of humanity
Plot Summary: The story begins with Bateman speaking to Tim Price on their way to dinner at Evelyn’s home. As they exit the car, Price teases a homeless man with money, which Bateman finds cruel. Throughout the night, Bateman determines that his girlfriend, Evelyn, is having an affair with his friend, Price. A few days later, Tim Price and Bateman go out to a nightclub. Price buys drugs that turn out to be an artificial sweetener, and becomes extremely tense. He disappears and no one sees him after that night. Bateman begins to date Courtney, a friend of Evelyn’s, while maintaining a relationship with Evelyn. When Bateman realizes that Courtney is not always available to him because of her boyfriend, Luis Carruthers, he decides to kill him. However, when Bateman attempts to choke Luis to death, he tells him that he has been in love with him