Patrick Bateman harbored a deep animosity towards Paul Allen primarily because Allen was managing a significant account that Bateman vehemently desired to control. This professional jealousy fueled Bateman's contempt, compounded by the competitive atmosphere of their elite Wall Street world.
The Roots of Bateman's Resentment
Patrick Bateman, known for his meticulous and obsessive nature, viewed business success and status symbols as paramount. When he encountered Paul Allen, who worked at a rival firm, the animosity quickly solidified.
- Professional Rivalry: Allen's success, particularly in securing an account that Bateman coveted, directly challenged Bateman's self-perceived superiority and ambition. In Bateman's distorted view, Allen's existence and achievements became an obstacle to his own, leading to intense envy and hatred.
- Perceived Affronts: While the core reason was the business account, Bateman's contempt for Allen was also amplified by Allen's perceived social graces, popularity, and often, his inability to distinguish Bateman from another colleague, Marcus Halberstram. This constant misidentification further infuriated Bateman, highlighting his own sense of invisibility despite his meticulous efforts to cultivate an image.
The Catalyst for Violence
The hatred culminated in a brutal act when Paul Allen, mistaking Patrick Bateman for a coworker named Marcus Halberstram, was lured back to Bateman's apartment. This mistake provided Bateman with the perfect opportunity to act on his simmering rage.
Bateman's desire for the account, coupled with his deep-seated psychological issues and a craving for absolute control, led him to violently murder Paul Allen with an axe. This act was a manifestation of Bateman's extreme envy and his compulsion to eliminate anything or anyone he perceived as a threat or an obstacle to his twisted ambitions.
