First place Quote by Bret Easton Ellis
““The office Halloween party was at the Royalton last week and I went as a mass murderer, complete with a sign painted on my back that read MASS MURDERER (which was decidedly lighter than the sandwich board I had constructed earlier that day that read DRILLER KILLER), and beneath those two words I had written in blood Yep, that's me and the suit was also covered with blood, some of it fake, most of it real. In one fist I clenched a hank of Victoria Bell's hair, and pinned next to my boutonniere (a small white rose) was a finger bone I'd boiled the flesh off of. As elaborate as my costume was, Craig McDermott still managed to win first place in the competition. He came as Ivan Boesky, which I thought was unfair since a lot of people thought I'd gone as Michael Milken last year. The Patty Winters Show this morning was about Home Abortion Kits.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2023
A macabre Halloween costume with violent symbols reflects a provocative, shocking self‑presentation, while media commentary on unrelated topics shows disjointed narrative.
In simple terms: Shock value used in costume.
Key Takeaway
Consider impact of provocative self‑expression.
Themes
culture
media
identity
Mood
ironic
critical
Type
cultural
satirical
When to use this quote
- costume design
- media criticism
- social commentary
Key Concepts
postmodernism
performance art
Questions to Reflect On
- What does shocking attire convey?
- How does media framing affect perception?
A Different Perspective
Shock may alienate rather than communicate.
