Ripley is obsessed with becoming someone else, someone who is admired and envied. He not only forges signatures and documents but increasingly assumes Dickie's identity until the line between deception and reality blurs. Ripley's talent lies in reinventing himself and convincing others of his constructed personality.

Ripley's admiration for Dickie quickly turns into pathological obsession. He becomes jealous of Dickie's carefree life, wealth, and relationships. This jealousy, combined with his desire to become Dickie, drives him to extreme actions and eventually leads him to murder.

Despite committing terrible crimes, Ripley repeatedly manages to escape justice. The story raises questions about whether one can escape responsibility for their actions with enough ruthlessness and skill. Ripley's apparent impunity leaves readers with an uncomfortable feeling and confronts them with the darkness of human psychology.