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Less Than Zero Analysis

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Less Than Zero Analysis
Bryon McCoy 2/8/99 Less Than Zero Analysis Less Than Zero, written by Brett Easton Ellis, is almost as much about Blair as it is about Clay. Further more, the relationship of clay and Blair is the underlying theme that nits the fabric of this book together.

As we look at the book we see several characters. Each of which is, to be blunt, screwed up. There are five characters that could be successfully argued as the main ones. There?s Trent, conniving and conceded who is a ?male model? and ?won?t do nude.? Julian, weak and passive, who Finn managed to turn into a male whore. Rip, over bearing and evil, a man that has ?everything? and ?nothing to loose.? Blair, intelligent yet easily manipulated who, throughout the book, thought Clay and her were going out. Clay, a cold and confused boy that thinks ?everything will be ok when I get back to New Hampshire.? There is one character, however, that stands out from all the rest. If you have noticed Blair is the only one throughout the book that showed a backbone. If she was at a party and there was something she didn?t want to do then she wouldn?t do it. For example: when her and Clay were at one of Julian?s parties they were led into a room to watch highly objectionable and, frankly speaking, sick pictures of nude abomination. Clay stayed and watched even though he didn?t want to, Blair, however, said ?this is sick,? and left the room. Similar scenes like this are scattered throughout the book and reflect Blair's independence and freedom of will.

The difference between Blair and the rest of the main characters is that she does things because she wants to. Clay does things, not because he wants to but because his peers pressure him into doing it. Trent does things because he feels like he has something to prove. Julian does things because he doesn?t know how to say ?no? and if he does say ?no? he does so too late. Rip is sad and needs to be cleansed from this Earth. He does do things because wants to but for the most

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