Rarely does a modern novel or motion picture captivate the mind like Chuck Palahniuk's Fight Club. Both mediums of the story employ heavy use of narration to communicate the bestial nature of man and what can happen when the numbing effects of day-to-day drudgery cause people to lose sanity. The story's main character sifts though a meaningless corporate life until he stumbles upon the rebellious character of Tyler Durden. After numerous incidents help unite the characters into a synonymous mind-frame, the revelation of these fight clubs begin. Together, the narrator and Durden become a leader of men, freeing a society from the shackles of modern life and empowering individuals to live vicariously and out of the ordinary. An anarchist subplot ensues as Tyler forcefully frees humanity, willfully or not. Tyler's unique message unfolds the story's didactic significance. Its ambiguous theme contorts psychological elements with superfluous violence to create the idea that anything is better than the mundane. .
Fight Club is powerful not by its theme, but by the method with which the author and director deliver these hard to swallow notions of rebellion against society. By calling individuals to free themselves from modern commercialism and corporate lifestyles, Palahniuk makes a powerful statement about society. Palahniuk mocks society in a humorous light throughout the plot. The tactful use of such criticisms against society pave the way for acceptance of the novel and film as radical satires. Furthermore, the novel's caveat regarding the dangers of keeping in-step with society insinuates thoughts of transcendentalism. The rejection of commercialism and superficial influences on the self are basic premises of transcendentalism that are shared with both the novel and the film. Finally, the delivery of each plot point pivotal to the theme is usually accompanied by superfluous elements of violence and gore.
