Fictitious Monsters: The Talented Mr Ripley and American Psycho in Popular Culture
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2019-06-17
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en
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Crime fiction and true crime documentaries provide a contemporary view on the representation of the psychopath in American popular culture. In this thesis the representation of the psychopath in these mediums will be analyzed with regards to the themes of identity and status. The links between capitalism and consumerism in American culture and the appeal of the psychopath in crime fiction novels and true crime documentaries for American audiences will also be investigated. The Talented Mr Ripley (1955) by Patricia Highsmith and American Psycho (1991) by Brett Easton Ellis will serve as case studies.
A close analysis of the themes of identity and status in both novels are a touchstone for American middle class fascination with the psychopath.
Exploring the connection between American capitalist consumer culture and how this is incorporated in the chosen novels, as well as various true crime documentaries, will help explain the continued interest in psychopathy in modern day popular culture. Finally, comparing and contrasting the mediums of crime fiction and true crime documentaries enlighten the growing normalization and glorification of psychopaths as a means for entertainment.
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Faculteit der Letteren