Readers of 1980s and early 1990s novels such as Bret Easton Ellis’ Less Than Zero, American Psycho, or Jay McInerney’s Bright Lights, Big City, or Story of My Life are likely to discover that yuppiedom is a more or less prominent feature in all these works. This Bachelor’s thesis is devoted to the analysis of yuppiedom in Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho. (NB: Although my primary focus is a fictional work, the yuppie also figures in non-fiction, which will be cited later in this thesis). I shall discuss the typical yuppie-looks, for I argue that attire functions as an extension of the yuppie persona and that it is the first criteria which has to be met in order to convey to what sort of group the yuppie belongs. This idea leads to my second point, which is group identity. Group identity is intertwined with yuppie attire, as I argue that in the novel, yuppies function as a group and therefore need to fit in with a certain look. Yet, there is more to the yuppie than meets the eye. I shall extend my analysis by discussing the portrayal of yuppies and their habit of consuming luxury merchandise. The listing of luxury brands throughout the novel cannot be denied. Therefore, I see this attribute as an integral characteristic of the yuppie. In the last chapter of my thesis I discuss how the novel’s yuppies behave in close, personal relationships. I shall demonstrate that yuppies do tend towards conventional forms of relationships, i.e monogamous relationships and marriage. However, it will be shown that these relationships are mere façades.
Is there such a thing as a modern day yuppie? Or is it an 80ies thing?
Dear Arthur:
Thank you for your comment. I have asked myself the same question and I think yuppies still exist, but they would not necessarily be called “yuppies” anymore, and they have other pursuits (in terms of career choices). I also think that they do not “look” the same as they did in the 80s. If there is a 2009-yuppie, I am guessing that he/she is probably working in the creative field. The Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary describes the ‘yuppie’ as being “a young college-educated adult who is employed in a well-paying profession and who lives and works in or near a large city -” (1455). Nowadays, nearly everyone would fit that profile, so it is hard to answer this question. The yuppie is an “80s thing”-as you put it, in the sense that the term was coined in the early 80s, and-in my opinion-because many 80s and 90s films, newspaper articles, etc., portrayed typical/stereotyped yuppie characters and thus, made aware of them-mostly in a derogatory way. I noticed that some people do not know what a yuppie is, but when I try to explain, they usually know someone in their circle of friends who would fit that profile. (Young, well-off, etc) I find the article by Liz Hoggard “The new yuppies: They’re back – and this time they’re green” very convincing.
Here’s an excerpt:
In my opinion, the key aspects of yuppiedom have to remain the same. (‘young’ and ‘professional’) But the yuppie’s looks, interests, political views, and consumer behavior, are subject to change.
I hope this answers some of your questions.
Best,
Laureen