Bret Easton Ellis nihilistic novel Less than Zero follows protagonist Clay, a 19 year old from Bennington College visiting his hometown Los Angeles during his winter break. Clay uses his time to catch up with his friends and family, only to find it the same way he left it: full of drugs, alcohol, and sex. Ellis explores, through Clay’s clinical narration, the materialistic and corrupted society of the privileged youth and their way of coping with their lives.
During Clay’s visit, he spends time with his friends, such as ex girlfriend Blair, best friend Julian, male model Trent, drug dealer Rip, as well as shares “family bonding” moments with his family. Throughout the book, Clay doesn’t necessary participates but rather tolerates his friends activities. Clay watches his friends, people who are “afraid to merge.” These young, rich, kids with good looks have everything in the world yet are still completely dissatisfied. The young, materialistic generation pumps more drugs into their veins, consume more alcohol and materialistic goods, and try to engage in sexual activities (through consent or rape).
A sense of pointlessness is felt throughout the novel, with the talk of luxurious items (expensive clothes and mansions), aimlessly wandering the city (driving around town with no real destination), a lack of genuine intimacy (family encounters are annoying and forced), and mundane conversations with the speaker only speaking of themselves (Clay’s therapist talking about his therapist and screenplay writing). The elite society Clay resides in try to numb the pointlessness in their lives, only to desensitize themselves from any form of real emotion and morality. While Clay disapproves and …show more content…
“That doesn't matter.”
“What does?” I asked, after a little while.
“Just that we're on it, dude,” he said.”
While the novel has many hits and misses, it clearly illustrates the materialistic and corrupt youth in the elite
During Clay’s visit, he spends time with his friends, such as ex girlfriend Blair, best friend Julian, male model Trent, drug dealer Rip, as well as shares “family bonding” moments with his family. Throughout the book, Clay doesn’t necessary participates but rather tolerates his friends activities. Clay watches his friends, people who are “afraid to merge.” These young, rich, kids with good looks have everything in the world yet are still completely dissatisfied. The young, materialistic generation pumps more drugs into their veins, consume more alcohol and materialistic goods, and try to engage in sexual activities (through consent or rape).
A sense of pointlessness is felt throughout the novel, with the talk of luxurious items (expensive clothes and mansions), aimlessly wandering the city (driving around town with no real destination), a lack of genuine intimacy (family encounters are annoying and forced), and mundane conversations with the speaker only speaking of themselves (Clay’s therapist talking about his therapist and screenplay writing). The elite society Clay resides in try to numb the pointlessness in their lives, only to desensitize themselves from any form of real emotion and morality. While Clay disapproves and …show more content…
“That doesn't matter.”
“What does?” I asked, after a little while.
“Just that we're on it, dude,” he said.”
While the novel has many hits and misses, it clearly illustrates the materialistic and corrupt youth in the elite