Bret Easton Ellis’American psychohas been a highly controversial book. Many critics condemned this novel before it had been published so Ellis even had to search for a new publishing company. The indignation atAmerican psychohad been so fierce, it verged on hysteria and some interest groups (feminist and religious groups for instance)
agitated against the author and his work1. The main reason why critics reacted that outraged was the explicit and detailed description of violence in this book2. In this paper I will discuss the appearence of violence inAmerican psycho.But first I want to create a picture of social phenomena in the USA of the 80’s as they are described in the novel, in order to provide the setting, the atmosphere in which the violence takes place. This will help to give an opinion of this violence and to interpret it. Then I will discuss how violence is presented in the text. In the fourth
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Patrick Bateman's World – New York's Society of the 80s
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the depiction of violence in Bret Easton Ellis's American Psycho, contextualizing it within the social and cultural landscape of 1980s New York as portrayed in the novel. The analysis will explore how violence is presented in the text and offer an interpretation of its significance.
- The portrayal of 1980s yuppie culture in New York City.
- The role of consumerism and superficiality in shaping the characters' actions and relationships.
- The presentation of violence as a consequence of the dehumanization and emotional emptiness of the characters.
- The use of mass media and popular culture as a backdrop to the narrative.
- The blurring of reality and identity within the novel.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of violence in American Psycho. It highlights the initial controversy surrounding the novel's publication and the strong reactions it provoked due to its explicit depiction of violence. The chapter establishes the paper's objective: to analyze the appearance of violence within the context of the social phenomena depicted in the novel, aiming to interpret its meaning and significance.
Patrick Bateman's World – New York's Society of the 80s: This chapter delves into the socio-cultural environment of 1980s New York as portrayed in the novel, focusing on the yuppie culture and its impact on Patrick Bateman's worldview. It describes Bateman as a wealthy, young professional who displays his wealth through consumerism, while simultaneously demonstrating a disdain for those less fortunate. The chapter analyzes Bateman's immersion in mass media, highlighting the desensitizing effects of television and the way in which popular culture is presented without critical evaluation. The juxtaposition of violent acts with seemingly innocuous pop culture references (like musical analyses of Genesis, Whitney Houston, and Huey Lewis and the News) is also analyzed, suggesting a detachment from emotional consequences and a normalization of violence. The chapter also explores the theme of de-individuation, where characters are interchangeable and defined primarily by their surface appearances and consumer choices. The superficiality and lack of genuine human connection are emphasized as key aspects of Bateman’s world, paving the way for a deeper analysis of the violence that arises from this emotional void.
Keywords
American Psycho, Bret Easton Ellis, 1980s yuppie culture, violence, consumerism, superficiality, dehumanization, mass media, popular culture, de-individuation, emotional emptiness, social critique.
American Psycho: A Textual Analysis - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a scholarly paper analyzing the depiction of violence in Bret Easton Ellis's American Psycho. It includes the table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis of American Psycho?
The analysis focuses on several key themes: the portrayal of 1980s yuppie culture in New York City; the role of consumerism and superficiality in shaping characters' actions and relationships; the presentation of violence as a consequence of dehumanization and emotional emptiness; the use of mass media and popular culture as a backdrop; and the blurring of reality and identity within the novel.
What is the main objective of the academic paper previewed here?
The paper aims to analyze the depiction of violence in American Psycho, contextualizing it within the social and cultural landscape of 1980s New York. It seeks to explore how violence is presented in the text and interpret its significance.
What topics are covered in the introduction chapter?
The introduction sets the stage for the analysis, highlighting the initial controversy surrounding the novel's publication and its strong reactions. It establishes the paper's objective: to analyze the appearance of violence within the context of the social phenomena depicted in the novel, aiming to interpret its meaning and significance.
What does the chapter "Patrick Bateman's World – New York's Society of the 80s" cover?
This chapter delves into the socio-cultural environment of 1980s New York, focusing on yuppie culture and its impact on Patrick Bateman. It examines Bateman's wealth, consumerism, disdain for the less fortunate, and immersion in mass media. The chapter analyzes the desensitizing effects of television and the juxtaposition of violent acts with pop culture references, suggesting a detachment from emotional consequences and normalization of violence. The themes of de-individuation and superficiality, and the lack of genuine human connection are also explored.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis of American Psycho?
The keywords include: American Psycho, Bret Easton Ellis, 1980s yuppie culture, violence, consumerism, superficiality, dehumanization, mass media, popular culture, de-individuation, emotional emptiness, and social critique.
- Citar trabajo
- Florian Burkhardt (Autor), 2005, Consuming and Consumed People. Violence in American Psycho, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/46344
