Lunch with Bethany

In the novel American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis, the scene where Patrick has lunch with his former girlfriend Bethany in chapter 30 offers a lot of insight into Patrick’s character, his violent urges, and his deteriorating psyche. 

The scene is presented from the perspective of the novel’s main character, Patrick Bateman. The first-person narration in this scene gives readers direct access to Patrick’s thoughts and emotions and allows readers to gain insight into his inner world, including his anxieties, insecurities, and self-obsession. The narration often reflects a stream-of-consciousness style, where Patrick’s thoughts flow without strict organization. This mirrors his inner turmoil and anxiety, as his mind jumps from topic to topic, such as his physical appearance, the book he’s reading, and his past with Bethany.

The scene highlights the duality of Patrick’s character. He struggles to maintain a facade of normalcy and charm, attempting to impress Bethany while concealing his true, violent tendencies. His internal monologue reflects this conflict, as he shifts between social niceties and unsettling thoughts. In this light, the poem that Patrick presents to Bethany is symbolic, as it accide...