The Clinical Narcissist in Fiction

The fictional narcissist can be found in abundance within books, TV and film, from the megalomaniacs of Ian Fleming’s Bond movies to the arrogant chiefs that grace the corporate boardrooms of the eighties. But there are many shades of narcissism, where egotistical traits may only become apparent once we peek beneath the surface. Not every narcissist is the same, and making a narcissistic character believable means avoiding the stereotype. This is what I aspired to do when creating my own fictional narcissist. But firstly what defines a narcissist?

Definition of Narcissist Personality Disorder

According to clinician Sandy Hotchkiss (LCSW) author of Why is it Always about You? there are seven deadly sins of narcissism, which collectively, can be seen as the antithesis to empathy:

- Shamelessness: stunted sense of shame and humility.
- Magical thinking: believing they are perfect.
- Arrogance: bragging and bigheaded with conceited views.
- Envy: derides another person’s achievements to make themselves look good.
- Entitlement: expects praise even if underserved.
- Exploitation: uses people without regard for feelings for others.
- And negative boundaries: believes others are an extension of themselves.

Narcissism Definition

In effect, the narcissist puts him/herself above others due to egocentricity. The narcissist cannot recognize other’s achievements, needs or goals. The narcissist can only praise those who praise them (narcissistic supply) and put down those who do not admire them (narcissistic abuse). This is because narcissists see themselves as perfect, and the world revolves around them. Paradoxically, the narcissist’s overweening confidence masks a deep insecurity.Where Narcissi Comes From

The word ‘narcissist’ is derived from the Greek name Narkissos, a Greek youth who spurred the advances of the nymph, Echo, choosing instead to admire his own reflection in a lake. So transfixed was he by his own image, that he eventually died of self-neglect. Similarly, the modern narcissist is vain, self-important and blind to other’s needs and viewpoints.

Psychology of the Narcissist in Life

Narcissism is seen as a negative personality trait, but can be healthy in the right context, if a person feels pride over an achievement or a good deed. Only pathological narcissism is seen to be a personality disorder where egocentric traits are featured in all life situations. Such individuals can come across as grandiose, arrogant, conceited or vain. Relationship with a pathological narcissist can be unsatisfying for the other person, and unsurprisingly short-lived.

The Egocentric in Novels and Films

Creating a believable narcissist for fiction ultimately requires real life experiences of living or working with a person. It also requires looking within the self for narcissistic tendencies, which can occur at any point of a person’s life. The id (or child), one of Freud’s three ego states is driven only with satisfying immediate needs, without regard for others. The id exists in all of us, so could be used as a source of insight when creating a fictional narcissist. It is only once the ego (the parent) has developed within the self that the id can be reigned in. One could argue that narcissism is a bloated id, writhing within the self. Indeed, immaturity is a feature of narcissism. This can be seen when looking at believable fictional narcissists in books and films. Let’s examine at some examples here.

Narcissism in the Workplace

In the film Wall Street (1987) aptly-named Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) takes on an apprentice stockbroker, Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) to learn the tricks of stoke-broking. Gekko exhibits arrogance in his slick lifestyle and efficient profiteering. Only when Bud eventually rejects what Gekko stands for does Gekko exhibit his narcissism, striking him for showing such ingratitude to his mentor. Throughout the film, Gekko parades with understatement, proclaiming that ‘greed is good.’ He spurns Bud’s father’s old blue-collar ways as passé and sees the Wall Street philosophy as progressive.

Malignant Narcissism in Films

In The Devil’s Advocate (1997), John Milton (Al Pacino) plays a sinister law firm rep who employs successful defense attorney, Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves). Throughout the film, Milton preaches his doctrines to Lomax in autocratic fashion, whilst claiming he is not responsible for anything that happens within the 'stage that he sets,' alluding to his superiority. Lomax’s life falls apart as his commitments to the firm take precedence over his family. After defending one villain too many, Lomax learns that Milton is in fact his father and the devil himself. The closing scene sees Milton in garish splendor, selling his squalid ideals as an evangelist to a huge adoring crowd. He pauses for effect, as though expecting applause – a defining quality of a narcissist.

The Narcissist in the Small Man

Rupert Pupkin (Robert De Niro) in the film King of Comedy (1983) provides a disturbing portrayal of a talentless and deluded stand-up who believes his encounter with comic legend Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis) signifies his big break. Pupkin shamelessly namedrops Langford like a best buddy, where really, Langford wants to be rid of him. If only Langford would recognize Pupkin’s great but unacknowledged talent! A creepy tale of a narcissist who believes the world owes him great accolade.

Narcissists in Films and Books

The narcissistic character can also be found in Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) where Blake (Alec Baldwin) makes the rules in the cutthroat world of real estate. Paul Newman’s Hud (1963) portrays a rigid and selfish man who does what he wants and destroys other’s lives in the process.

My fictional narcissist is of a covert sort, who masks his delusions of grandeur behind slimy humility. Justin is party to a kidnapping. But unbeknownst to him, his hostage, Jess, can see him and his other captors through a spyhole in the ceiling. Jess tries to imagine the inner demons, (which she calls ‘toads’) that drive Justin and the others to lead their lives of crime, and the voice she dubs over Justin’s body language is pathologically narcissistic. In this scene Jess is spying upon Justin and a fellow captor, Kia, as they watch TV in the living room.

Inner Voice of a Narcissist

Justin reappeared with another bowl of cornflakes. Grudgingly, he wedged himself between Kia’s feet and the armrest. He shovelled a mouthful and tossed a scowl at Kia.

‘Banished to the wilderness,’ Jess uttered in a mawkish trill, ‘the Rabble don’t understand me, they taketh from me, bloodsuckers, the lot of ‘em. I deserve recompense, I deserve indulgence for I am more worthy.’

Ugh, where did the oily sanctimony come from? Jess took a pause and focused again. As Jess got into the Zone, oblivion enveloped her and the utterances from her lips seemed to arrive from a remote force.

Kia’s feet prodded Justin’s thigh. She flexed her painted toenails. 'Come, Wretch, sit at my feet. Serve your princess and let me see you beg. I am bored and require satisfaction.'

Justin wriggled within the gap and conceded her feet on his lap. He scraped together the dregs of cornflakes and spooned another mouthful. Milk dribbled down his chin. 'I will serve thee, oh Slut. I will indulge you, but mark I am the ordained and the misunderstood. I deserve adoration. My service will be on condition and added to your debt.' Justin tongued the milk from his chin chameleon-like.

Jess retreated from the hole to stifle a snigger. A tear had spilled down her cheek. Jess did not really find it funny. In fact, the sound of these twisted toads filled her with unease.

Borderline Personality Disorder in Novels

The inner voice of this narcissist is truly disturbing for it borders upon the psychotic. However, Justin is not strictly a psychopath, as psychopaths cannot feel. Justin harbors a deep insecurity that can only be mollified by a self-delusion that he is special, a martyr that the world does not deserve.

Excerpt from The Shuttered Room by Charles J Harwood

Others themes relating to this novel

What if your body language had a voice?

What does your inner gremlin look like?

The Stockholm syndrome relationship

The challenge of writing about abduction

Stories of passionless marriages