Narrator and point of view

The novel American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis is narrated in the first person by Patrick Bateman, the main character and a psychopathic serial killer. The narration is characterized by a detached and emotionless tone, which highlights Patrick’s psychopathy. The narrator often describes even the most horrific acts in a matter-of-fact manner, which creates a chilling and unsettling contrast with the violence he commits.

At times, the narrative takes on a stream-of-consciousness style, where Patrick’s thoughts and inner monologue flow freely and rapidly. This style can be disorienting at times, reflecting the narrator’s mental instability and the chaotic world he inhabits.

The narration blurs the lines between reality and Patrick’s fantasies. Several clues do not add up, such as Owen’s disappearance and supposed murder and the fact that several people claim to have seen him in London. This suggests that Patrick is a highly unreliable narrator. He often engages in violent and disturbing acts, but the reader is left wondering whether these events actually occur or are figments of his imagination. This ambiguity is heightened by the disjointed narrative style, which mirrors Patrick’s conf...