Elites in "The Great Gatsby" and "American Psycho". A Comparison of the Illustration of Elites

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Explanation of the literary choices

3. Theoretical Approach

4. New York as a social and cultural sphere

5. The Definition of Elites

6. The Great Gatsby

6.a. The Jazz Age

6.b. About the author

7. The illustration of elites in The Great Gatsby

8. American Psycho

8.a. The 1980s

8.b. About the author

9. Illustration of elites in American Psycho

10. The comparison

10.a. Differences

10.b. Similarities

10.c. Summary and Tendencies

11. Outlook and further research questions

Research Objectives and Themes

This paper aims to compare the portrayal of elites in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and Bret Easton Ellis’s American Psycho, investigating whether the later work represents a logical and radicalized continuation of the social tendencies, boredom, and narcissism observed in the earlier novel. By analyzing both texts through a postmodern literary framework, the study seeks to highlight how shifts in economic and social conditions over seventy years have influenced the representation of upper-class lifestyles and their interaction with the rest of society.

• The role of New York City as a geographical and cultural setting for elite behavior.
• The construction of identity through consumption and material wealth.
• The dichotomy between personal and public self in upper-class protagonists.
• The impact of socioeconomic pressure and moral decay on the characters' search for meaning.
• The radicalization of classism and discrimination from the 1920s to the 1980s.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. Introduction: Presents the focus on the illustration of elites in The Great Gatsby and American Psycho, highlighting the hypothesis of a radicalization of social tendencies over time.

2. Explanation of the literary choices: Justifies the selection of these two novels based on their shared setting in New York, their focus on upper-class life, and their distinct temporal contexts.

3. Theoretical Approach: Establishes postmodern literary criticism as the framework for analyzing the themes, attitudes, and intertextuality present in both works.

4. New York as a social and cultural sphere: Examines the historical development of New York City as a diverse but conflict-ridden metropolis, setting the stage for its role in both narratives.

5. The Definition of Elites: Develops a working definition of elites based on resource accumulation, identifying monetary, professional, intellectual, and social capital as key factors.

6. The Great Gatsby: Provides context for the 1920s Jazz Age and discusses F. Scott Fitzgerald's background in relation to his work.

7. The illustration of elites in The Great Gatsby: Analyzes characters like Tom Buchanan and Daisy to illustrate moral corruption, carelessness, and systemic discrimination within the upper class.

8. American Psycho: Outlines the socio-political climate of the 1980s under Reaganomics and discusses Bret Easton Ellis's literary influences.

9. Illustration of elites in American Psycho: Explores Patrick Bateman’s obsession with consumption, status, and material goods, demonstrating his lack of empathy and moral vacuum.

10. The comparison: Contrasts the two works regarding the role of self-made men versus the born-rich and identifies similarities in their cynical portrayals of the American Dream.

11. Outlook and further research questions: Suggests potential avenues for future study, including comparing these findings with contemporary media like The Hunger Games or How I Met Your Mother.

Keywords

Elites, The Great Gatsby, American Psycho, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Bret Easton Ellis, New York, Social class, Consumption, Postmodernism, American Dream, Reaganomics, Existential boredom, Narcissism, Radicalization, Identity construction

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the central focus of this research paper?

The paper examines the portrayal of upper-class elites in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and Bret Easton Ellis’s American Psycho, specifically looking for commonalities and a potential radicalization of behaviors between the 1920s and the 1980s.

What are the primary themes analyzed in the study?

Central themes include social class, the negative interpretation of the American Dream, existential boredom, consumerism, systemic discrimination, and the construction of identity through material status.

What is the main research question or hypothesis?

The study investigates whether American Psycho serves as a logical and radicalized continuation of the narcissism and social conflict presented in The Great Gatsby, focusing on the elite's behavior and their treatment of the lower classes.

Which theoretical framework is applied to these novels?

The paper employs a modified version of postmodern literary criticism, using the six points identified by Peter Barry, to evaluate themes, tendencies, and attitudes in both literary works.

What aspects are covered in the main body of the text?

The body covers the definition of elites, historical contexts of the 1920s and 1980s, individual character analysis (like Tom Buchanan and Patrick Bateman), and a detailed comparative section highlighting differences and similarities.

What key terms define this work?

Key terms include elite, consumption, existential void, status symbols, social stratification, narcissism, and the historical periods of the Jazz Age and the Reagan era.

How does the author view the 'American Dream' in both novels?

The author argues that both writers portray the American Dream as a negative or failed concept, where the pursuit of status leads to superficiality, constant competition, and existential misery rather than fulfillment.

Why does the author consider Patrick Bateman an 'unreliable narrator'?

Bateman is deemed unreliable because his perception of the world is subjective and often contradicted by external events, such as people failing to recognize him, which highlights his alienation and fractured identity.