Characterization of Patrick Bateman

Outer characterization

Patrick Bateman is the main character and the narrator of the text “Killing Child at Zoo” by Bret Easton Ellis. Patrick’s description of his physical appearance focuses on his expensive clothes, suggesting that he is financially well-off: “I’m wearing faded jeans, an Armani jacket, and a white, hundred-and-forty-dollar Comme des Garcons T-shirt.” (p. 178, ll. 6-7)

Patrick also compares his eyes to the snowy owl’s: “eyes that look just like mine, especially when it widens them.” (p. 179, ll. 21-22). This might suggest that his pupils are dilated, which could indicate that he feels anxious, stressed, or excited.

Patrick seems to be obsessed with his appearance, with leading an expensive lifestyle (p. 178, ll. 5-6), and with work (p. 178, ll. 7-8). These details, along with the fact that the story is set in the late 1980s or early 1990s, suggest that Patrick belongs to the Yuppie generation. 

Inner characterization

From the beginning, Patrick gives us insight into his state of mind, which suggests that he is troubled: “I feel aimless, things look cloudy, my homicidal compulsion, which surfaces, disappears, surfaces,...