For my project I intend on focusing on spirituality withing the novel, Fight Club. From what I read, I gathered that the majority of the characters feel lost an unfilfilled. They go to support groups and fill their homes with pricey furniture because it seems they’re looking for something they have yet to find. Many people might have found fight club as a way to find a spiritual peace.
One of the most interesting scenes that had been changed in the film is the first meeting of Tyler Durden and the narrator. Durden is sitting in the middle of a large shadow shaped like a palm. If I was going to look at Tyler as a future spiritual leader, it’s almost as if he has reached a state of nirvana in this scene. I also wanted to somehow include a crucifixion into this scene as well. Durden almost seems as though as though he represents a nail in the palm of Christ at his crucifixion. I haven’t looked into too thoroughly yet, but I also think there could be some connection relating to the Buddhist palm.
What I’m still confused with is how fighting fill some spiritual void. I don’t know too much about christianity, but I almost see this trial of pain as representing the pain Jesus Christ had to endure to save all of mankind. I’d also like to further explore the chemcial burn kiss and how that could be tied to the Judas kiss. Tyler also seems like a christ like figure becaue he has followers, becomes unquestionable, and has structured his group to function after he’s gone. He also becomes this larger, almost mythic man just like Jesus Christ. The rules of fight club also seem similar to the ten commandments. I’m also struggling with how Tyler finds peace in an open palm while the narrator finds his peace with a closed fist.
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November 10, 2007 at 11:42 pm
tllabello
I like using spirtuality as a idea of the fight in Fight Club. Also the reason that there are spirtual references in the end of fight club as a heaven type place. I hope your paper comes out well.
November 11, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Kim S. Clune
Hey Alex,
Your focus on spirituality made me think about how that plays out in my own text. At the end of “The Last King of Scotland” there is a scene where the fictional Dr. Garrigan, viewed as a traitor, is being tortured by Ugandan dictator, Idi Amin. He gets hung on what look like meat hooks through the chest and, as he hangs, the imagery is similar to Christ hanging on the cross. In fact, he refuses to scream - as if he is taking on the sorrow of the thousands Amin had slaughtered and refusing to give Amin the satisfaction of watching him suffer. Garrigan is eventually rescued as Amin’s attention is distracted and when he asks the man who takes him down why he did it, the Ugandan says that if Garrigan escapes, perhaps the story of the people with finally be heard, particularly because he is white and has the power to draw the attention of nations who can help. In the end, the implication is that Uganda is rescued by the white savior.
I have every intention of including this angle in my paper. If I come across anything that might help you as well, I’ll send it along.