American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis and Cosmpolis by Don De Lillo both are stories that depict the decadence of their time, hinting at social, moral and political issues that are of importance in their respective times.
In both books New York as the world centre of capitalism serves as a stage for two main characters who are shapen by the enormous amounts of money they have at their disposal. The characters and their interaction with society are the central points in both books. While Don De Lillo’s Cosmopolis deals at a time no clearly defined, which is probably supposed to be the post modern world of the early 2000s, Bret Easton Ellis’ book is set in the booming New York of the 80s where people who work on Wall Street are treated like pop stars and many of them well known as heroes of capitalism (e.g. Warren Buffet and Donald Trump). The book by Bret Easton Ellis takes us into this decadent cocain addicted world, that basically revolves the hunger for parties and sex.
The book by Don De Lillo presents a totally different atmosphere. The atmosphere is rather shapen by fear of those that have come too short in the capitalist world and the security needs of those who work on wall street who have by now become anonymous figures, that may only be identified by their stretch limousines. The world of Cosmopolis has become darker and more dangerous; wild parties are no longer celebrated, just as get togethers of business people don’t seem to happen in public, mainly for security reasons. The pace of the world has also changed as computers and video transmit news from all over the world into cars that have become indistinguishable from offices.
Yet both books have a lot in common in terms of the topics they deal with and the kinds of characters they portrait. While Cosmopolis only draws a kind of gloomy atmosphere, American Psycho is also one of the funniest books I have ever read and has been turned into a fantastic movie, with which I have compared some of the scenes.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The character of Patrick Bateman
- The character of Eric Packer
- Comparison of the two characters
- Bibliography
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper analyzes the characters of Patrick Bateman in Bret Easton Ellis's American Psycho and Eric Packer in Don DeLillo's Cosmopolis, exploring the parallelism between their character and the concepts they embody within the context of their respective societal settings. The paper aims to highlight the similarities and differences in their portrayals of the decadence and anxieties of late capitalism.
- The portrayal of decadence and excess in late-stage capitalism.
- The exploration of identity and alienation in materialistic societies.
- The role of superficiality and consumerism in shaping character.
- The contrast between public image and private life.
- The use of setting (New York City) to reflect societal anxieties.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by comparing and contrasting the novels American Psycho and Cosmopolis. It establishes both works as depictions of societal decadence, focusing on the central role of their main characters within the context of New York City as a center of capitalism. The chapter highlights the differing atmospheres of the two books – the cocaine-fueled excess of the 1980s in American Psycho versus the darker, more fearful atmosphere of the early 2000s in Cosmopolis. Despite these differences, the chapter emphasizes the shared thematic concerns and character types.
II The Character of Patrick Bateman in American Psycho: This chapter delves into the character of Patrick Bateman, a successful investment banker in 1980s New York. It explores Bateman's immersion in a world defined by superficiality, where value is determined by price, rarity, and fame. The chapter discusses Bateman's attempts to fit into this high-class society, highlighting the contrast between his public persona and his violent private life. His motivations, including his desire for acceptance and to surpass his peers, are explored through analysis of his interactions and reactions to material objects and social situations. The chapter also touches on the seemingly insignificant details—like business cards— that Bateman uses as markers for social status.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
American Psycho, Cosmopolis, Patrick Bateman, Eric Packer, capitalism, decadence, consumerism, identity, alienation, New York City, 1980s, early 2000s, social commentary.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Analysis of Patrick Bateman and Eric Packer
What is this document about?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a comparative analysis paper focusing on the characters of Patrick Bateman from Bret Easton Ellis's American Psycho and Eric Packer from Don DeLillo's Cosmopolis. It examines the parallels between these characters and the societal anxieties they embody within the context of late capitalism.
What are the main themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores several key themes, including the portrayal of decadence and excess in late-stage capitalism, the exploration of identity and alienation in materialistic societies, the role of superficiality and consumerism in shaping character, the contrast between public image and private life, and the use of the New York City setting to reflect societal anxieties.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured with an introduction, chapters dedicated to analyzing Patrick Bateman and Eric Packer individually, a chapter comparing the two characters, and a conclusion/bibliography. The provided preview includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
How does the paper compare Patrick Bateman and Eric Packer?
The paper compares and contrasts Bateman and Packer, highlighting their similarities and differences as representations of the decadence and anxieties of late capitalism. It considers their respective societal contexts (1980s vs. early 2000s), their public and private lives, and their motivations within their materialistic environments.
What are the key characteristics of Patrick Bateman's portrayal?
The analysis of Patrick Bateman focuses on his immersion in a superficial, materialistic world, his attempts to conform to high-class society, the contrast between his public persona and violent private life, and the role of material possessions (like business cards) as markers of social status. His motivations, including his desire for acceptance and to surpass his peers, are explored.
What are the key aspects of the chapter on Eric Packer? (This is not provided in the preview).
The preview does not include a detailed summary of the chapter on Eric Packer. This would be found in the complete paper.
What is the significance of the setting (New York City)?
New York City serves as a crucial setting, reflecting the societal anxieties and the excesses of capitalism central to both novels. The paper explores how the city's atmosphere contributes to the characters' personalities and actions.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include: American Psycho, Cosmopolis, Patrick Bateman, Eric Packer, capitalism, decadence, consumerism, identity, alienation, New York City, 1980s, early 2000s, and social commentary.
- Quote paper
- Timm Gehrmann (Author), 2006, Parallelism of character and concept in American Psycho and Cosmopolis, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/68978