Jean Character Analysis in American Psycho

Jean is Patrick Bateman’s secretary, or, as he refers to her, “my secretary who is in love with me.” She does, indeed, seem to care deeply for Bateman, doting on him in the office and following whatever orders he may give her, whether it be a business task, making a reservation at a restaurant, or dressing or acting in a particular way when in his presence. Throughout the course of the novel, the two appear to grow closer (Bateman even takes Jean to dinner one night) but he ultimately shirks off her affection and nothing more comes of it.

Jean Quotes in American Psycho

The American Psycho quotes below are all either spoken by Jean or refer to Jean. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

“Don’t wear that outfit again,” I say, looking her over quickly… “do not wear that outfit again. Wear a dress. A skirt or something… You’re prettier than that… And high heels,” I mention. “I like high heels.”
She shakes her head good-naturedly as she exits…

Related Characters: Patrick Bateman (speaker), Jean

Page Number and Citation: 66-67

Explanation and Analysis:

And though it has been in no way a romantic evening, she embraces me and this time emanates a warmth I’m not familiar with. I am so used to imagining everything happening the way it occurs in movies, visualizing things falling somehow into the shape of events on a screen, that I almost hear the swelling of an orchestra, can almost hallucinate the camera panning low around us, fireworks bursting in slow motion overhead, the seventy-millimeter image of her lips parting and the subsequent murmur of “I want you” in Dolby sound.

Related Characters: Patrick Bateman (speaker), Jean

Page Number and Citation: 265

Explanation and Analysis:

Jean Character Timeline in American Psycho

The timeline below shows where the character Jean appears in American Psycho. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Bateman enters his office and is greeted by his secretary, Jean, “who is in love with me and who I will probably end up marrying.” She... (full context)

...incredibly hung over from the previous night’s drinking and cocaine binge. He is rude to Jean when she tells him he has a meeting to attend that afternoon, and when she... (full context)

...called as the phone continues to ring. On the other end of the line is Jean. He tries to have a conversation with her, struggling both to make out what she’s... (full context)

...holiday shopping list and his plans for purchasing. He says he could have just sent Jean on this errand, but has decided to do it himself. On the way to Saks,... (full context)

...of work, and Evelyn is away in Boston for the weekend. Just outside his door, Jean is sitting working through a large stack of papers he’s asked her to take care... (full context)

...the only name left not crossed off is Schrawtz, a reservation for two. He tells Jean to go to the bathroom; she argues that she doesn’t have to, but eventually complies.... (full context)

...and are able to be seated. They have a meal that Bateman considers mediocre, but Jean seems to enjoy just fine. She asks him about himself, noting that he seems strange... (full context)

Jean accepts this excuse, and the two shake hands before embracing. For a brief moment, Bateman... (full context)

It’s now August. Bateman is sitting in his office when Jean tells him a Mr. Donald Kimball is here to see him. Bateman tells Jean to... (full context)

...football games, and hears Madonna singing “Like a Prayer.” He’s on his way to meet Jean for brunch when he is stopped by a kid with a clipboard, asking him what’s... (full context)

At brunch, Bateman looks fondly on Jean; she looks good. She asks if there are any museum exhibitions they should visit and... (full context)

Next, Bateman pauses the action between him and Jean to recite to the reader a long, philosophical quote about nature, the earth, truth, sex,... (full context)

...for me to tell you any of this. This confession has meant nothing…” Back with Jean, Bateman continues to hear about her feelings. She thinks he’s sweet, which is sexy, and... (full context)

...an epiphany: he realizes that nothing he can do or say will change the way Jean feels, and that it is more her image of him that is controlling his behavior... (full context)

...note telling her she’s fat and he never wants to see her again, and for Jean, a number of expensive, beautiful gifts delivered to her home. (full context)

...to calm himself. He then declines to take a number from a woman and brings Jean, his date, back to his apartment. (full context)