Topic:
American Psycho is a 1991 written novel by Bret Easton Ellis. A successful movie version
of the novel, starring Christian Bale as the narrator, appeared in 2000. Overall, the
novel tells us the story of the young yuppie* narrator Patrick Bateman, who works on Wall
Street* (NYC) during the 80s as a businessman. Patrick leads a good life, he is very rich,
good looking, romantic to girlfriends. But that is pure emptiness for Mr. Bateman, so
Bateman begins acting on his psychopathic thoughts and impulses. Patrick starts bullying
beggars, being racist to foreigners, consuming drugs and above all committing more and
more horrific murders (especially women). Bateman experiences a progression of mental
illness. He doesn´t even feel quilt and even tells his friends about his actions, but no one
will believe him, and they often dismiss his confessions as jokes. Why? Because in this
world all are victims of materialism*, modern capitalism* and consumerism*. Everyone is
only focused on themselves, their looks, their income and how they compare to others. So
Patrick has no other options that just live the American Dream*, celebrate parties, drink
alcohol, buy expensive things and on the other side, bully, kill, and rape.
Bret Easton Ellis:
(born March 7, 1964 in Los Angeles) is an American writer. He became known for his
socially critical novels such as Below Zero, American Psycho and Imperial Bedrooms.
After graduating high school, Ellis attended Bennington College in Vermont, against his
father's wishes, where he majored in literature. After finishing college 1886, he published
his first book ´´Below Zero´´ , which was one of the bestselling books. Ellis gained a
critical reputation among writers when publishing American Psycho 1991, as a result of the
too harsh criticism by feminists. But with the later popularity success of the movie in 2000,
his book ( over 2 million-copy bestseller) had been able to garner positive response from
critics and readers. Not only was Bret literary inspired by big writers such as Stephen
King, Don DeLilo Ernest Hemingway but also by his own experience with drugs, an
alcoholic father and his parents separation. Ellis travels all over the world today and is still
active as a writer. His newest novel is ´´Les Eclats´´ (2023) , written in French.
, *=Important terms to know before reading the novel:
yuppie=Frequently used term in the 80s. a young professional person who lives in a city
and earns a lot of money that they spend on expensive and fashionable things. Donald
Trump or Tom Cruise, for instance, used to be yuppies in NYC in the 80s (as the book
mentions).
Wall Street= a street in NYC where the New York Stock Exchange is (financial centre of the
US), founded around 1711. The Wall Street Crash 1929 led to value loss and economic
problems all around the world.
materialism= the belief that only physical matter exists and the spiritual world does
not. money, possessions, and comfort are the most important things
to obtain in life
(modern) capitalism= an economic system (by Adam Smith) in which a country’s
businesses and industry are controlled and run for profit by private owners rather than by
the government (like e.g. socialism). It offers private property and market competition.
consumerism= society in which lots of goods are bought and sold, the belief that given too
much attention to buying and owning things (like clothes) is good
American Psycho is a 1991 written novel by Bret Easton Ellis. A successful movie version
of the novel, starring Christian Bale as the narrator, appeared in 2000. Overall, the
novel tells us the story of the young yuppie* narrator Patrick Bateman, who works on Wall
Street* (NYC) during the 80s as a businessman. Patrick leads a good life, he is very rich,
good looking, romantic to girlfriends. But that is pure emptiness for Mr. Bateman, so
Bateman begins acting on his psychopathic thoughts and impulses. Patrick starts bullying
beggars, being racist to foreigners, consuming drugs and above all committing more and
more horrific murders (especially women). Bateman experiences a progression of mental
illness. He doesn´t even feel quilt and even tells his friends about his actions, but no one
will believe him, and they often dismiss his confessions as jokes. Why? Because in this
world all are victims of materialism*, modern capitalism* and consumerism*. Everyone is
only focused on themselves, their looks, their income and how they compare to others. So
Patrick has no other options that just live the American Dream*, celebrate parties, drink
alcohol, buy expensive things and on the other side, bully, kill, and rape.
Bret Easton Ellis:
(born March 7, 1964 in Los Angeles) is an American writer. He became known for his
socially critical novels such as Below Zero, American Psycho and Imperial Bedrooms.
After graduating high school, Ellis attended Bennington College in Vermont, against his
father's wishes, where he majored in literature. After finishing college 1886, he published
his first book ´´Below Zero´´ , which was one of the bestselling books. Ellis gained a
critical reputation among writers when publishing American Psycho 1991, as a result of the
too harsh criticism by feminists. But with the later popularity success of the movie in 2000,
his book ( over 2 million-copy bestseller) had been able to garner positive response from
critics and readers. Not only was Bret literary inspired by big writers such as Stephen
King, Don DeLilo Ernest Hemingway but also by his own experience with drugs, an
alcoholic father and his parents separation. Ellis travels all over the world today and is still
active as a writer. His newest novel is ´´Les Eclats´´ (2023) , written in French.
, *=Important terms to know before reading the novel:
yuppie=Frequently used term in the 80s. a young professional person who lives in a city
and earns a lot of money that they spend on expensive and fashionable things. Donald
Trump or Tom Cruise, for instance, used to be yuppies in NYC in the 80s (as the book
mentions).
Wall Street= a street in NYC where the New York Stock Exchange is (financial centre of the
US), founded around 1711. The Wall Street Crash 1929 led to value loss and economic
problems all around the world.
materialism= the belief that only physical matter exists and the spiritual world does
not. money, possessions, and comfort are the most important things
to obtain in life
(modern) capitalism= an economic system (by Adam Smith) in which a country’s
businesses and industry are controlled and run for profit by private owners rather than by
the government (like e.g. socialism). It offers private property and market competition.
consumerism= society in which lots of goods are bought and sold, the belief that given too
much attention to buying and owning things (like clothes) is good
