The Commodification Of Women In American Psycho

Since its 1991 release, Brett Easton Ellis' book American Psycho has generated much debate. The story revolves around Patrick Bateman, a successful investment banker who lived in New York City in the 1980s. Consumerism, machismo, and the objectification of women are all topics covered in the book. We shall explore more into the notion that sex sells and that women are used as social commodities to be bought and sold in order to advance men's social standing. The objectification of women in American Psycho, the place of sex in the social order, and literary critiques of the commercialization of women will all be topics of discussion. We'll examine the book's core ideas and consequences using various quotations. 

Bret Easton Ellis paints a distressing picture of the commodification of women in his book American Psycho. Patrick Bateman, the primary character, sees women as nothing more than sexual objects, and his relationships with them are devoid of any emotional connection. He uses women exclusively to advance his social status and to increase his own self-confidence. This trait is seen in many instances, including one where Bateman enters a bar and remarks on the women's physical appearance. In addition to seeing women as commodities, Bateman also regards women as objects of objectification beyond physical appearance. He often talks about their "value" and "price" as if they were something that could be purchased and sold. He claims, for instance, that one of his dates "cost me $1,000" to a coworker (Ellis, 1991, p. 231). The dehumanization of Bateman's victims, who are viewed as disposable objects, results from their objectification. This dehumanization ultimately causes the severe violence and brutality that Bateman inflicts on his victims. 

In human society's social hierarchy, sex plays a significant role. The most fundamental social variable is "sex." This is due to the fact that sex is one of the earliest and most basic

components of human identity and that it significantly influences how people are viewed and treated by others. Gender roles are firmly ingrained in many communities, and there are frequently stringent expectations regarding how men and women should behave. These expectations vary greatly depending on society, but they often center on characteristics like dominance, aggression, and competition for males and caring, empathy, and subservience for women. Social interactions—how others view people and how they are treated in various social contexts—can be significantly impacted by these gender roles. Men may be more frequently expected to take on leadership and decision-making positions, whilst women may be expected to play more supportive ones. As a result, there may be an imbalance of power between men and women in a variety of social contexts. Overall, sex's multifaceted and complex position in the social structure significantly impacts how people are viewed and treated in society. 

Women being treated as commodities in literature has always been a contentious issue. The concept that women are things for men to want and consume is reinforced by gender stereotypes, which is one critique. In literature, the commodification of women often portrays them as passive objects of male desire rather than as complex, active individuals with their wants and agency. This depiction may negatively impact how women are perceived and treated in society. In addition, the objectification of women in real life might result from the monetization of women in literature. Our thoughts and attitudes are shaped by literature, and when women are frequently portrayed as objects of male desire, it perpetuates the notion that women's value is determined by their physical attractiveness and sexuality.

Additionally, the commodification of women in literature has the potential to maintain harmful power imbalances between men and women. Men are frequently presented as vital and in control, whereas women are portrayed as weak and subservient. This phenomenon serves to support the notion that men are more powerful and influential than women in society. In conclusion, it has been said that the objectification of women and the perpetuation of hostile power relations between men and women are all consequences of the commercialization of women in literature. 

Brett Ellis Easton's novel American Psycho portrays the grim truth of our world, where sex sells, and women are viewed as commodities to elevate men's social status. The protagonist's infatuation with money and his aggressive inclinations towards women are depicted in the novel, which begs the broader question of our society's ethics and ideals. Even though the book is upsetting and divisive, it emphasizes how critical it is to address these problems to build a more equal and just society. All things considered, American Psycho serves as a warning to us all about the perils of consumerism and objectification and the necessity for increased awareness and compassion towards one another.