Why Is Dutch Schultz Obsessed With Billy In 'Billy Bathgate'?

2025-06-18 06:54:03 143

3 answers

Yolanda
Yolanda
2025-06-21 07:30:39
Dutch Schultz's obsession with Billy in 'Billy Bathgate' stems from seeing himself in the young, ambitious kid. Schultz, a notorious gangster, recognizes Billy's raw talent and street smarts—qualities he once had before power corrupted him. Billy's innocence and quick learning remind Schultz of his younger days, making him both nostalgic and possessive. He treats Billy like a protege, showing him the ropes of the criminal world while also keeping him close to control him. Schultz's paranoia plays a role too; he trusts almost no one, but Billy's loyalty (or perceived loyalty) becomes a rare anchor in his chaotic life. The dynamic is twisted mentorship mixed with Schultz's ego—he wants to shape Billy but also fears being outshined.
Bennett
Bennett
2025-06-19 12:38:47
The relationship between Dutch Schultz and Billy in 'Billy Bathgate' is a layered power play rooted in psychology and survival. Schultz, a volatile gangster nearing his downfall, clings to Billy as both a symbol of his past and a tool for his future. Billy’s adaptability and charm make him useful—he navigates high society and the underworld with ease, something Schultz admires but can’t replicate.

Schultz’s obsession also reveals his loneliness. Surrounded by traitors and rivals, he sees Billy as one of the few he can ‘mold’ without immediate betrayal. Their bond isn’t paternal; it’s transactional wrapped in faux affection. Schultz teaches Billy violence and strategy, but Billy’s independence unnerves him. The more Billy learns, the more Schultz oscillates between pride and suspicion. Their dynamic mirrors the novel’s theme: the American Dream corrupted. Schultz isn’t just mentoring Billy; he’s trying to imprint his own legacy onto someone he knows might surpass him.
Charlotte
Charlotte
2025-06-22 20:01:29
Dutch Schultz’s fixation on Billy in 'Billy Bathgate' is a cocktail of envy and control. Schultz, a gangster whose empire is crumbling, envies Billy’s youth and potential. Billy represents everything Schultz has lost—fearlessness, charisma, and the ability to reinvent himself. Schultz drags Billy into his world not just to exploit him but to live vicariously through him.

Their relationship thrives on tension. Schultz alternates between praising Billy and testing his loyalty, like when he forces Billy to witness brutal acts. It’s less about mentorship and more about dominance. Schultz knows Billy could thrive without him, and that terrifies him. The obsession peaks when Schultz, facing his own mortality, tries to bind Billy to him permanently—through violence, money, or twisted affection. The novel paints Schultz as a man who can’t decide if he wants to nurture Billy or own him.
View All Answers
Scan code to download App

Related Books

Billy: Branston High Series
Billy: Branston High Series
Lots of people are asking so here it is: Branston high series order - Jake, Nathan, Shane, Luke, Billy. Thank you so much for reading xxx ~~~~~~~ When his dad cheats on his mum and brings in the mistress to play happy families, Billy vows to get back at him somehow, he just has to find the right angle. When his new stepmum warns him to stay away from his pretty new stepsister, she unknowingly gives him the perfect revenge plot. Will be be able to convince the sweet and innocent Elsie to get back at his dad and stepmother? Or will he fall for her in the process and ruin everything?
8.8
48 Chapters
Obsessed
Obsessed
His love for science drove him mad, on seeing a teenager who was crazy in love with science he found himself attracted to her ocean blue eyes and her passion, he became obsessed with her and tried to merge the two things he loved the most: her ‘Dasha and robotics’. Being submissive and in love she became blind to his obsession and toxicness instead she let him get his way with her and gradually he turned her into a half human and robot.| If you are interested in this novel you can follow me on IG for teasers on a daily basis.
Not enough ratings
87 Chapters
Crazily Obsessed
Crazily Obsessed
When life gives you lemon, make lemonade, but what do you do when lemonade is served instead of lemons? I think I'm in deep shit and I don't know how to get out. I was sold to a Mafia underboss, not technically, but he claimed me, a ruthless one at that. I know it's crazy but I'll escape no matter what, I will break these shackles and fly freely like a bird, and if that meant spilling blood, then I am so ready.
10
87 Chapters
OBSESSED (Book One)
OBSESSED (Book One)
(This book is a three part series) "She looks exactly like me but we're very different." Gabriella. "You're always gonna be beneath me no matter how hard you try." Gabrielle. Twin sisters, Gabriella and Gabrielle may look alike but they are definitely complete opposites. Gabrielle, the proud, popular and overly ambitious sister, who loves to be the center of attention and would go to any length to get whatever she wants, without any care of the consequences. Gabriella, as opposed to her twin sister is the quiet one, the gentle one and the smart one and she unlike her sister is not overly ambitious or power and fame hungry. Liam Helton, son of famous fashion designers in New York bumps into both sisters on the same day but on different occasions but falls in love with one and detests the other.
6
44 Chapters
Obsessed With Cheating
Obsessed With Cheating
Twenty five years old Alexa Martinez was forced by her mother to marry a man who is many years older than her. Without any option, she decided to marry him. At first life was good but as soon as she gave birth, everything changed. The man started to disrespect her in front of the kids and also cheat. Humble and naive, she tried her level best to bear up with his humiliation but her life changed the moment her best friend Bella dragged her in the club. In the club she met a devilishly handsome stranger whom she had a one night stand with. However after this one night stand she instead got "Obsessed with cheating" . MARK WATSON is aggressive and rude. He abused Alexa a lot and things got worse when she gave birth . He began to cheat and disrespect her in front of the kids but then he regretted it later when he realized it that Alexa had finally got a man who is young and richer than him . EXTRACT : " I can't stay in this bar, am married with three kids " , l reprimanded myself as I tried to think of something that I could do to stay the hell away from this temptation. " Let me get out of this club right now , this isn't right " , With my mind warning me , l instantly picked up my half filled up glass and jumped off the velvet leathered stool .
10
47 Chapters
Her Obsessed Stepbrother
Her Obsessed Stepbrother
“This is forbidden, Asael….”she uttered, making him clench his jaw. “This is wrong,” once again she repeated those same exact words to him which had destroyed his life 3 years ago brutally. “Why is this wrong, Ezrene? Because I am your fucking stepbrother?” He seethed out at her, slamming her against his sinewy body. “Why is this forbidden because my fucking father is going to marry your mother?” he spat at her. “But as far as I could remember….” He thrusted his face dangerously closer to hers. “You had let this stepbrother of yours get closer to you to that extent where you had fucking conceived with his child,” those words of his numbed her very existence completely. “That same exact child of mine which you killed with your own hands before I even got to know about its existence,” that utterly venomous pain flashed in his eyes which teared her up more, making him press his forehead against hers. “Your dad will kill you for this, Asael,” A lethal smirk formed on his face at her words. “You think I am afraid of him and my death?” He asked her while lifting his hands up to palm her face. “If I would have been afraid of my father and my death then I wouldn't have abducted you from you altar, in front of your fucking would-be husband, my father and the whole world, bella,”wiping her eyes, he pushed his face closer to hers. “Because we both know you're just mine, mi bella,” he pressed his lips against hers, causing her soul to break by finding herself trapped in the arms of her love and…… What brutality this love of hers was going to make her endure because she was in love with HER OBSESSED STEPBROTHER?
9.3
169 Chapters

Related Questions

Does 'Billy Bathgate' Have A Film Adaptation?

3 answers2025-06-18 09:00:19
I've been a fan of 'Billy Bathgate' for years, and yes, it does have a film adaptation! The movie came out in 1991, starring Loren Dean as Billy and Dustin Hoffman as the infamous gangster Dutch Schultz. The adaptation captures the gritty atmosphere of the novel, though it naturally condenses some of the book's deeper character arcs. The cinematography is stunning, especially the scenes set in 1930s New York. If you loved the book's tension and moral ambiguity, the film delivers that in spades. It's not a perfect translation—few are—but it’s a solid attempt that brings E.L. Doctorow’s world to life. For fans of period crime dramas, it’s worth watching, though I’d still recommend reading the novel first for the full experience.

Are There Any Sequels To Billy Bathgate Novel?

3 answers2025-05-02 18:09:38
I’ve been a huge fan of 'Billy Bathgate' for years, and I’ve always wondered if there’s more to the story. From what I’ve gathered, there aren’t any official sequels to the novel. E.L. Doctorow didn’t continue Billy’s journey in any of his later works. The book ends on such a poignant note, with Billy reflecting on his time with Dutch Schultz and the choices he made. It feels like a complete story, even though I’d love to see where life takes him next. I’ve read some fan theories and discussions online, but nothing concrete. It’s one of those novels that leaves you wanting more but also feels perfectly self-contained.

Who Is The Real Antagonist In 'Billy Bathgate'?

3 answers2025-06-18 01:22:24
The real antagonist in 'Billy Bathgate' isn't just one person—it's the entire corrupt system that breeds violence and betrayal. Dutch Schultz dominates as the obvious villain with his psychotic temper and ruthless criminal empire, but he's more of a force of nature than a traditional antagonist. The true opposition comes from the inevitability of Billy's loss of innocence. Every character in his orbit—from the manipulative Drew Preston to the treacherous Bo Weinberg—serves as a piece of the moral decay pulling him deeper into darkness. Even law enforcement fails as a counterbalance, proving just as corrupt as the gangsters. The novel's brilliance lies in making the reader realize the real enemy is the irreversible choice to embrace this world.

What Is The Setting Of Billy Bathgate Novel?

3 answers2025-05-02 13:17:34
The setting of 'Billy Bathgate' is deeply rooted in the gritty streets of the Bronx during the 1930s. It’s a time when the Great Depression loomed over America, and organized crime was thriving. The novel paints a vivid picture of this era, with its smoky speakeasies, dimly lit alleys, and the constant hum of desperation. Billy, the protagonist, navigates this world with a mix of awe and cunning, drawn into the orbit of Dutch Schultz, a notorious gangster. The Bronx itself feels like a character—its tenements, its people, and its struggles shaping Billy’s journey from a street-smart kid to someone entangled in the dangerous allure of the mob.

Who Are The Main Characters In Billy Bathgate Novel?

3 answers2025-05-02 04:47:25
In 'Billy Bathgate', the main character is Billy, a street-smart teenager from the Bronx who gets drawn into the dangerous world of organized crime. His sharp wit and ambition catch the attention of Dutch Schultz, a notorious gangster who becomes both a mentor and a father figure to Billy. Billy’s journey is a mix of survival and self-discovery as he navigates the brutal realities of the mob. Alongside him is Drew Preston, a glamorous but troubled woman entangled in Dutch’s world, who becomes a pivotal figure in Billy’s life. The novel explores their complex relationships and the moral ambiguities of loyalty and ambition.

What Are The Major Plot Twists In Billy Bathgate Novel?

3 answers2025-05-02 05:03:30
The major plot twists in 'Billy Bathgate' hit hard and fast. One of the most shocking moments is when Dutch Schultz, the gangster Billy idolizes, is betrayed by his own men. Billy witnesses the brutal ambush, which shatters his naive view of the gangster life. Another twist is when Drew Preston, the woman Billy is infatuated with, reveals she’s been using him to get closer to Dutch. This betrayal forces Billy to confront his own naivety and the harsh realities of loyalty in the criminal world. The most gut-wrenching twist comes when Billy’s mother, who he thought was a passive bystander, reveals she’s been complicit in the criminal activities all along. These twists strip away Billy’s illusions and push him to grow up faster than he ever expected.

How Does Billy Bathgate Novel Compare To The Movie Adaptation?

3 answers2025-05-02 12:24:10
I’ve always been fascinated by how 'Billy Bathgate' translates from page to screen. The novel dives deep into Billy’s internal struggles and his complex relationship with Dutch Schultz, giving readers a raw look at his moral ambiguity. The movie, while visually stunning, simplifies some of these layers. It focuses more on the action and glamour of the gangster life, which makes it entertaining but loses the psychological depth. The book’s slower pace allows for richer character development, especially with Billy’s mother and his romantic entanglements. The film, on the other hand, rushes through these subplots, prioritizing the main storyline. Both have their strengths, but the novel’s intricate storytelling wins for me.

How Does Billy Bathgate Novel Portray The Gangster Lifestyle?

3 answers2025-05-02 04:10:07
In 'Billy Bathgate', the gangster lifestyle is depicted as both alluring and brutal. Billy, a young boy from the Bronx, gets drawn into the world of Dutch Schultz, a notorious gangster. What struck me most was how the novel contrasts the glamour of wealth and power with the constant threat of violence. Schultz’s world is filled with flashy cars, expensive suits, and lavish parties, but it’s also a place where betrayal and death are always lurking. Billy’s journey shows how seductive this lifestyle can be, especially for someone desperate to escape poverty. Yet, the novel doesn’t romanticize it; instead, it lays bare the moral compromises and dangers that come with it. Billy’s admiration for Schultz slowly turns into a realization of the emptiness and cruelty behind the facade. This duality makes the portrayal so compelling—it’s not just about crime but about the cost of ambition and the loss of innocence.
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status