/pol/ - International /Pol/itics & /Bant/er

I do not like Patrick Bateman because I think he is a good person, nor do I admire the things he does. He is an incredibly disturbed and morally corrupt character, and there is nothing admirable about his actions. However, I think people often misunderstand what it means when someone says they relate to a fictional character like him. The part I relate to is not the violence, the cruelty, or his complete disregard for human life. It is the idea of putting on a mask and presenting a version of yourself to the world that is different from what you feel internally. It is the experience of going through conversations, social situations, and everyday interactions while feeling disconnected from the people around you, almost as if you are simply playing a role that everyone expects you to play. Sometimes I find myself wanting to pretend that I enjoy being around people because that is what society expects, even when I naturally feel more distant and prefer solitude. However, there is an enormous difference between feeling detached from people and wanting to harm them. I have never had murderous intentions, and I would never desire to hurt another person. The reason Patrick Bateman is such an interesting character is because he represents an extreme and disturbing example of someone hiding behind a carefully constructed image. Relating to certain aspects of a fictional character does not mean supporting their actions or sharing their morals. A character can represent a feeling, a struggle, or a certain aspect of the human experience without representing who someone truly is.