American Psycho

American Psycho

by

Bret Easton Ellis

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Luis Carruthers Character Analysis

A closeted gay man and Wall Street colleague of Patrick Bateman’s, Luis Carruthers is the boyfriend of Courtney Lawrence, who seems highly uninterested in the relationship. Later in the novel, when Bateman attempts to kill Luis in a bathroom stall, Luis mistakes his advance for a display of secret affection and spends much of the remainder of the novel in a hopeless and pitiful pursuit of Bateman’s interest.
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Luis Carruthers Character Timeline in American Psycho

The timeline below shows where the character Luis Carruthers appears in American Psycho. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
April Fools
Materialism and Consumption Theme Icon
Identity and Isolation Theme Icon
Monotony and Desensitization Theme Icon
...for most of the ride. Staring out the window, he sees another Wall Street colleague, Luis Carruthers; he watches as Carruthers waves to Price in the passing vehicle, but is ignored. (full context)
Materialism and Consumption Theme Icon
Identity and Isolation Theme Icon
Stash and Vanden head out and Courtney goes to meet up with her boyfriend Luis Carruthers, leaving Evelyn, Price, and Bateman behind to keep drinking. The three end up in... (full context)
Harry’s
Materialism and Consumption Theme Icon
Identity and Isolation Theme Icon
Vice and Violence Theme Icon
...they arrive, McDermott begins quizzing Bateman on proper shoe etiquette. Across the room, Bateman sees Luis Carruthers standing at the bar, and thinks he sees him blush at him. He describes... (full context)
Identity and Isolation Theme Icon
The Truth Theme Icon
...punch line and has to fumble his way through – the others jeer him. Meanwhile, Luis Carruthers is still standing at the bar, waiting to be served. (full context)
Deck Chairs
Materialism and Consumption Theme Icon
Vice and Violence Theme Icon
...Bateman, especially when Courtney is in such a condition, and Anne brings up Courtney’s boyfriend, Luis Carruthers. Bateman continues to daze in and out, thinking that “no sex is worth this... (full context)
Materialism and Consumption Theme Icon
Monotony and Desensitization Theme Icon
Vice and Violence Theme Icon
...has left Courtney. As they resume having sex, she stops Bateman and mentions her boyfriend, Luis Carruthers. Bateman has, however, misheard her; she’s actually asking about the condom they’re using, which... (full context)
Business Meeting
Materialism and Consumption Theme Icon
In the boardroom, Bateman is first to arrive, followed by Luis Carruthers, “like a puppy at my heels.” Luis is going on and on about a... (full context)
Tuesday
Monotony and Desensitization Theme Icon
...he bumps into Courtney. She takes a moment to warn him to stay away from Luis; he “suspects something.” Bateman brushes this off and tells her he’s leaving; the champagne and... (full context)
Concert
Materialism and Consumption Theme Icon
Monotony and Desensitization Theme Icon
Luis Carruthers has “dragged” a group of the gang out to New Jersey to see a... (full context)
Materialism and Consumption Theme Icon
Identity and Isolation Theme Icon
Monotony and Desensitization Theme Icon
The concert drags on, with Courtney repeatedly asking “Which one’s The Ledge?” Luis motions for her to switch seats with him, so he can talk to Bateman. She... (full context)
Yale Club
Materialism and Consumption Theme Icon
Monotony and Desensitization Theme Icon
...are all dressed well and have been siting at their table for some time drinking. Luis Carruthers is sitting a few tables away and keeps looking over at Bateman, who ignores... (full context)
Identity and Isolation Theme Icon
Vice and Violence Theme Icon
...finds himself in the men’s room. Only one stall is in use, and he hears Luis whistling a song from “Les Misérables.” He approaches the stall and comes up behind Luis.... (full context)
Materialism and Consumption Theme Icon
Vice and Violence Theme Icon
All of a sudden, Luis looks down at Bateman’s wrists, leans down to kiss one of them, and begins to... (full context)
Paul Smith
Materialism and Consumption Theme Icon
Identity and Isolation Theme Icon
...much he loves to torture and murder other people, but is completely ignored. From behind, Luis Carruthers approaches the group. The man Bateman’s speaking to begins to introduce him incorrectly, but... (full context)
Identity and Isolation Theme Icon
Monotony and Desensitization Theme Icon
Luis follows Bateman mercilessly, asking him what he’s doing (buying a tie for his brother’s birthday)... (full context)
Confronted by Faggot
Materialism and Consumption Theme Icon
Identity and Isolation Theme Icon
The Truth Theme Icon
It’s a Sunday afternoon and Bateman is shopping at Barney’s. He spots Luis Carruthers, hiding behind a pole and watching him closely. Luis pretends to notice Bateman unexpectedly,... (full context)
Materialism and Consumption Theme Icon
Identity and Isolation Theme Icon
The scene is out of control: Luis is sobbing, racks are being knocked over, and Bateman is trying to convince those around... (full context)
Another Night
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Monotony and Desensitization Theme Icon
...the places the others want to go. McDermott tells Bateman that Hamlin wants to bring Luis Carruthers along, and Bateman squarely refuses; Luis absolutely may not come to dinner. They have... (full context)
In Bed with Courtney
Identity and Isolation Theme Icon
Vice and Violence Theme Icon
It’s approaching the holiday season, and Bateman is lying in bed with Courtney – Luis is out of town. He thinks about the early Christmas shopping he’s been doing and... (full context)
Valentine’s Day
Identity and Isolation Theme Icon
Monotony and Desensitization Theme Icon
Vice and Violence Theme Icon
The Truth Theme Icon
...he’s now “back.” Bateman catches him up on things: he dumped Evelyn, and Courtney married Luis (though Price mistakes which “Luis”). Price is now working for a different firm, and wishes... (full context)