American Psycho

by

Bret Easton Ellis

American Psycho: Taking an Uzi to the Gym Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Bateman is at the gym and has placed an assault rifle in his locker. He goes about his regular activity, listening to his Walkman and exercising, thinking about an NYU girl who was recently raped and murdered. After his workout, he stares at the gun in his locker, calling it “a symbol of order to me.” He thinks about using it but decides not to and shuts the door; he has videotapes to return and a dinner reservation that was difficult to get.
Bateman’s behavior is becoming increasingly reckless, as he takes more and more risks in his violence. His calling the rifle a “symbol of order” is very interesting; for Bateman, his power to kill maintains his dominance, his control over individual situations and over his entire life. As he feels himself losing control, sliding deeper into drugs and sex and violence, he brings the gun to the gym as a way of holding on to what he feels is slipping away.
Themes
Vice and Violence Theme Icon