Set at a small affluent liberal-arts college in New England eighties, The Rules of Attraction is a startlingly funny, kaleidoscopic novel about three students with no plans for the future—or even the present—who become entangled in a curious romantic triangle. Paul is bi-sexual but most of his interest during the chronology of this story is in men. Paul loves Sean. Rules of Attraction is the companion novel to Perfect Chemistry. Paul is very hurt when he is overthrown by Mitchell for a Freshman girl. The film takes place at the fictional Camden College, a liberal arts school in northeastern New Hampshire and it set in the late 1980s. Sean is constantly in search of the next girl, drink or drug that he can use and abuse. The opening sequence introduces the three main characters - Lauren Hynde (Shannyn Sossamon), Paul Denton (Ian Somerhalder), and Sean Bateman (James Van Der Beek), in turn. Ellis uses the tools of humor and pathos to tell his story doing so quite effectively. Sean doesn't want to end his life but doesn't know how to straighten it out. This is a twisted story about sex, drugs, and college. Taglines Sean mistakenly thinks Lauren is the mystery girl leaving anonymous love notes in his mail box. Things get more complicated since all the side characters (including the mentioned Lara and Victor) are deeply disturbed as well. Lauren is sad and depressed that he has not called her. This study guide contains the following sections: This detailed literature summary also contains Topics for Discussion and a Free Quiz on He sets the bar low for others and pursues people who do not return his feelings. Her slutty roommate, Lara, has the hots for Victor as well. Ellis uses the tools of humor and pathos to tell his story doing so quite effectively. To say he is non-serious would be one a considerable understatement. Rules of Attraction This summary of Rules of Attraction includes a complete plot overview – spoilers included! help you understand the book. The main narrators are three students: Paul, Sean, and Lauren. Eventually she is shocked when he calls her residence hall, does not recognize her voice and asks for another girl. She is stoned and/or drunk most of the time, dulling any concern she may have about her unabashed promiscuity. The Rules of Attraction by Bret Easton Ellis. Paul Denton, who used to date Lauren, is openly bisexual and attracted to Mitchell Allen, who's dating Candice to prove to Paul that he's not gay. The three main characters (who rarely attend class) end up in a love trianglewithin a sequence of drug runs, "… Rules of Attraction by Bret Easton Ellis is a look at life on the college campus in 1985. The story takes place in an unnamed university in Camden, NH (non-existent). Lauren has a shallow relationship with Sean, who is a shallow man. He is a self-described financial aid student who supplements his cash flow acting as a small-time middle man for a townie drug dealer. Three disturbed students at Camden college get involved in a love triangle. Sean is immature and does not know the importance of fidelity or consideration for the other person's needs. Get The Rules of Attraction from Amazon.com. Synopsis The film takes place at the fictional Camden College, a liberal arts school in northeastern New Hampshire and it set in the late 1980s. For most of the story, Victor is away traveling across Europe. The story takes place in an unnamed university in Camden, NH (non-existent). In reality, Sean is from a wealthy family and and experienced an upper-crust lifestyle including a tony boarding school education. Sean goes from one girl to another, eventually focusing on Lauren. Sean Bateman is a womanizing drug dealer who falls in love with virginal Lauren (not to be confused with her slutty roommate Lara,) because he suspects that she is his secret admirer, who is leaving notes in his box. They are three college students at an "End of the World" party, and although they don't interact at the party, they share a certain apathetic perspective. Everybody is only looking out for themselves. He is from a well-to-do family and just learns that his parents are divorcing. Even though Paul is good looking and charming, he does not have good self-image. That being said, you don't necessarily have to read Perfect Chemistry first. She's saving herself for her shallow boyfriend, Victor Johnson, who's left the States to backpack across Europe. The novel is written in the first-person, continuing the aesthetic of Ellis' earlier Less Than Zero, and is told from the points of view of multiple characters. Throughout most of the story, Lauren is pining away for her one true love, Victor. Lauren Hynde is, technically, a virgin. Sean perpetually owes money to Rupert the drug dealer, who is constantly threatening Sean to pay up. Paul Denton is a drama major and is a little more serious at his studies than many of the other students. He could easily pay off the menacing drug dealer but refuses to do so. Sean loves Lauren. Ellis uses the tools of humor and pathos to tell his story doing so quite effectively. | She makes lame excuses for his lack of communication, envisioning him as sad and lonely without her and unable to get through to her on the phone. He was surprised when his mentor advised him that he was failing only three of his four classes. The Rules of Attraction Summary & Study Guide includes comprehensive information and analysis to The plot is driven on the premise that most people want who they cannot have. Among the dozens of young students the reader meets, there are three main characters. He's also a drug dealer who owes a lot of money to "fellow" dealer Rupert Guest, as well as a well-known womanizer, for he sleeps with nearly half of the female population on campus. Sean Bateman is a senior who has changed majors multiple times. The opening sequence introduces the three main characters - … Although Lauren does like Sean, she is still infatuated with Victor (her shallow ex boyfriend) who is in Europe for a semester. Paul's relationship with Sean is one-sided as Sean doesn't give Paul a serious thought. The main characters in Perefect Chemestry are Alex and Brittany, the main characters in Rules of Attratction are Carlos (Alex's little brother) and Kiara. | Synopsis Camden College. Paul is promiscuous and is drawn to young, good-looking men. Sean conceals his wealth from his classmates. The story epitomizes the phrase sex, drugs and rock and roll—throwing in liquor for good measure. The incredibly spoiled and overprivileged students of Camden College are a backdrop for an unusual love triangle between a drug dealer, a virgin and a bisexual classmate. everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of The Rules of Attraction. As the character Gerald tells Paul, "No one ever likes the right person.". This Study Guide consists of approximately 31 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - Sean Bateman is the younger brother of depraved Wall Street broker Patrick Bateman. Next, Paul pursues Sean, who is pursuing Lauren. Order our The Rules of Attraction Study Guide, teaching or studying The Rules of Attraction. Parents Guide. The story takes place in an unnamed university in Camden, NH (non-existent). | A number of other characters also provide first-hand accounts throughout the story, which takes place at the fictional Camden College, a liberal arts school on the East Coast of the United States. Lauren used to date Paul before he came out of the closet, and now Paul has his eyes on Sean when he mistakes him for bisexual. Plot Keywords Although the touches of humor are quite appealing, there is the expected tragic edge that over-indulgent existences ultimately herald in. The story epitomizes the phrase sex, drugs and rock and roll—throwing in liquor for good measure. And Lauren may love Sean. Lauren Hynde is another non-serious senior who has fluctuated between Poetry and Art as majors. Rules of Attraction by Bret Easton Ellis is a look at life on the college campus in 1985. The Rules of Attraction Summary Rules of Attraction by Bret Easton Ellis is a look at life on the college campus in 1985. Though Paul is in hot pursuit of Sean, he really sees Sean as boring and humorless. We’re considering expanding this synopsis into a full-length study guide to deepen your comprehension of the book and... Want to see an expanded study guide sooner? When Sean's failures in his personal and school lives pile up on him, he makes a few lame attempts at suicide.