Satire and Sympathy in American Psycho

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis was originally dismissed as flippant and distasteful because critics focused on the novel's excessive violence, misogyny, and shallow characters. The book remains controversial to this day, though later critics haveshed light on the novel as a satirical representation of Wall Street in the late 1980s. In this thesis, I explore the ways in which Ellis satirizes Patrick Bateman and his society through dialogue, physical behavior, and relationships with each other. I argue thatPatrick is essentially a victim of the possessive, technologically obsessed, patriarchal culture, ignored by others despite his cries for attention. In addition, I analyze specific passages in order to determine whether or not the novel can provoke sympathy for Patrickfrom the reader. Ultimately, I assert that American Psycho is a satire that attempts to expand traditional boundaries by including sympathy.

Name thesis:degree_name

Bachelor of Arts

Level thesis:degree_level

bachelors

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

English

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Toledo Honors Theses

Year dc:date

2012

Author dc:creator

• Simon, Alaina R.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Gregory, Melissa
• Reising, Russel

• American Literature
• American Psycho
• Bret Easton Ellis
• Patrick Bateman
• Satire
• Sympathy

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=uthonors1355508133

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:uthonors1355508133