Good morning, House of Madness narcissists:
If you had everything you could ever want at your fingertips, would you tire of never having to yearn for anything or anyone? The gratification we feel from working hard for something and then attaining it is one of the best feelings there is in my opinion. If someone had just simply handed me some of the things I cherish most, I wouldn't feel that sense of pride or accomplishment from the efforts I exuded in order to attain my materialistic delights. Would it have felt as good if my wife had just thrown me into bed and had her way with me on our first date, rather than having me earn the right with expensive dinners, movies, and gifts? Well, probably, but we're not here to talk about my sex life, so I'll thank you to stay out of my personal affairs. Sheesh!
For Patrick Bateman, however, everything in life comes easy; he has a high paying job, six-pack abs, designer suits, shoes, shirts, and ties, and every single woman that comes across his path falls instantly in love with him. Sounds like a pretty good gig, right? Well, for Patrick, the ease and simplicity of always getting what he wants all the time is taking its toll. The daily grind of working out, going to lunch at high end restaurants followed by dinner and drinks at extravagant clubs sounds like it's 'The Life', but the fact that Patrick has to put up with all these phony idiots really wears on his mind and soul, as it's seemingly impossible to find his intellectual equal. Not only that, but the 'hardbodies' as he likes to call them are all materialistic and boring, not to mention most of them can't deliver in the bedroom. Yes, life for Patrick Bateman is rough indeed, and his life could really use some spicing up.
If you're like Patrick, and think spicing up means murdering, dismembering, and disposing bodies, then the two of you would get along just fine. All the years he's simply put up with people's bullshit are now just a forgotten memory; you're annoying? Dead. In his way financially? You're toast. Unlucky enough to be on a date with him and end up at his apartment? Seeya. Not only has Patrick taken it upon himself to rid the trash from his life, but he does so with a flamboyance that teeters on recklessness, yet he's Patrick Bateman, and simply can't be caught by the lowly police. As the body count rises to ridiculous levels, Patrick still can't seem to fill the void that encompasses his entire lifestyle.
"American Psycho" is an absolutely insane take on narcissism, and how one man's desire to be the perfect specimen can never be achieved. The more prestige and acumen he accumulates, the bigger the hole gets in his mind that leaves him constantly wanting more. Even when the ideas portrayed in the book are obvious fabrications, the eternal lust for blood and vengeance can never be satiated, as his mind is now a roaring inferno of lust, greed, and perfection. If Patrick Bateman was half the man he thought he was, he'd be the most famous, handsome, rich, well-dressed, and fit human ever to grace the planet; unfortunately for him, he'll have to keep dreaming while he's wide awake.
Madness Meter: 9.5/10
NB
