Socal Stereotypes

“and is [varying degree of] tan and has [varying degree of] blond hair”


I haven't counted, but I would be willing to bet that Clay describes over two-thirds of the people he sees in such a manner. This is isn't Clay's choice, but the author's doing– he writes a story with incredibly over used and unrealistic Los Angeles/Southern California stereotypes. Almost every character is tan and blond, and the tan-ness of said persons is often the first thing Clay describes. The novel plays further into the surfer stereotype when Clay describes “some surfer.” Is everyone in Socal a tan, blond, surfer? No. Is everyone in the novel a tan, blond, surfer? Mostly. Does Less Than Zero play on many other Socal stereotypes? Definitely.


According to the novel, we go to the University of Spoiled Children and our rival school is U.C.R.A. Everyone in Southern California is rich and good looking; Clay nonchalantly mentions some kids who he may or may not have known in high school that have turned out to be semi-famous actors or models. The adults are obviously rich and work in the entertainment business. Clay's psychiatrist also makes bank, drives a 450 sl, and lives in Malibu because, of course, it's Southern California.



These are certainly not all the stereotypes in the novel, but these are so exaggerated and prevalent that it makes me wonder why Brett Easton Ellis presents the novel in such a way. As Ellis was born in Los Angeles, it certainly isn't a case of an author using stereotypical images to portray the characters simply because he doesn't know better. Does he use these stereotypes as a criticism of Southern California lifestyle, or just the lifestyle Clay and his friends live?

Andrew T