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American Psycho By Bret Easton Ellis

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In the novel "American Psycho" written by Bret Easton Ellis, Patrick Bateman 's use of violence and his wealth are exemplified in scenes involving the murder of his ex-girlfriend Bethany. As well as appealing to the idea to maintain an upscale image by any means such as purchasing expensive merchandise and taking the initiative to attend upscale restaurants. His actions with the implications of those elements reveal the consumptions of status and privilege. The detailed narration of Bateman 's intense violent acts and purchases of expensive products creates imaginary and conflict for readers to accept the appearance he is trying to come across to his associates and the general public. This may result in readers rejecting his character and …show more content…

To convey this point, I first identify what consumption is and the two additional components to it. As well as providing two scenes that suggest that theme resulting in those two sub-points. Not to mention, I intend to present several transitional periods in the novel going back and forward from first illustrating Bateman 's disappearance of control to then aiming to recover it by inflicting pain on others. Then, bring to an end how his actions can be understood and how it affects what readers can take away from the novel. Consumption can be seen in the reading as the fixation on acquiring materials, or upholding an image. This aspect is crucial to the novel "American Violence" because it motivates/contributes to the actions of each character. For instance, the text states, "In the early light of a May dawn this is what the living room of my apartment looks like…A glass-top coffee table with oak legs with by Turchin sits in front of the sofa, with Steuben glass animals, placed strategically around expensive crystal ashtrays from Fortunoff, though I don 't smoke" (Ellis 25). This passage represents consumption focusing on the fixation on acquitting materials. For the reason that mentioning, "with crystal ashtrays… though I don 't smoke" indications how that item, in particular, is not beneficial for Bateman since he does not smoke. However, looking at the text suggests that it was necessary for him to have the ashtray

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