Bret Easton Ellis’s “American Psycho” introduces readers to the enigmatic and unsettling character of Patrick Bateman. While the novel and its film adaptation directed by Mary Harron delve into Bateman’s disturbed psyche and his violent tendencies, the question of his actual profession remains a point of intrigue. What job does Patrick Bateman actually do?
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The Facade of Success:
At the surface level, Patrick Bateman is portrayed as a successful and affluent young man working on Wall Street during the booming financial era of the 1980s. His days are filled with mergers and acquisitions, business meetings, and discussions about prestigious restaurant reservations. His professional life revolves around the cutthroat world of investment banking, where appearances are as crucial as financial acumen.
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The Ambiguity Surrounding Bateman’s Employment:
As the narrative unfolds, it becomes increasingly difficult to pin down the specifics of Bateman’s job. Colleagues often confuse each other, and Bateman himself, with identical appearances and interchangeable personalities. The lack of distinct characteristics in his professional life adds to the sense of disorientation and unreliability in the narrative.
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Mergers and Acquisitions:
Bateman frequently mentions his involvement in mergers and acquisitions, reflecting the intense corporate culture of the time. However, the narrative does not provide concrete details about the companies involved or the nature of these transactions. This deliberate ambiguity serves to underscore the superficiality and dehumanizing nature of the corporate world in the novel.
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The Materialistic Obsession:
While the novel provides glimpses into Bateman’s daily routine, including his extensive beauty regimen and obsession with designer labels, it remains elusive when it comes to the specifics of his work. The emphasis on materialism and surface-level appearances within the narrative raises questions about the true nature of Bateman’s professional life and whether it is merely a means to an end for him.
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The Symbolic Wall Street Figure:
Some interpretations suggest that Bateman’s profession is intentionally left vague to symbolize the dehumanizing nature of Wall Street culture during the 1980s. By presenting Bateman as a generic, interchangeable figure in the finance world, Ellis critiques the soulless pursuit of success and wealth, highlighting the moral bankruptcy inherent in such a lifestyle.
The ambiguity surrounding Patrick Bateman’s profession in “American Psycho” serves as a deliberate narrative choice by Bret Easton Ellis. Whether it be intentional or a reflection of Bateman’s deteriorating mental state, the elusive nature of his job adds depth to the character and contributes to the overall critique of the materialistic and cutthroat culture of Wall Street during the 1980s. In the end, Bateman’s profession remains a puzzle, inviting readers to grapple with the uncertainty surrounding this iconic literary figure.
