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“FIGHT CLUB”AS AN EXISTENTIAL NOVEL

(A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF GENETIC STRUCTURALISM)

A Thesis

Submitted to the Faculty of Cultural Sciences Hasanuddin University

in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements to Obtain

a Sarjana Degree in English Department

KHAERUL IKHSAN

F21109380

FACULTY OF CULTURAL SCIENCES


HASANUDDIN UNIVERSITY
MAKASSAR
2015
ACKNOELEDGEMENT

salam,

Humbly and honorably, the writer would express a bottomless gratitude to

whoever him the artist of all this life and universe, who causes all the things I’ve

ever—and even haven’t—done in this ephemeral life. The Creator, who from him

comes all the power, health, knowledge, and all potential owned by the writer.

The Everything who from him shall all the help, guidance, support, and care,

whether from family, teachers, friends, or anyone else, who helped the completion

of this thesis, originated.

Without intending to sort the amount, a gratitude, at first, is duly conveyed

to both parents, who in whatever easy or difficult the situations are, always

patiently be my side. Nurmi Jafar, a mother who until whenever it is, will always

treated her one and only son like a child. Also Arifuddin Pasa, a father figure who

always accompanying his son walking the path towards maturity, even though not

infrequently with satisfied-laugh. Thank you profusely for what you provide all

this time.

A warm handshakes and countless gratitude are also extended to both of

my advisor, Dra. Herawaty, M.Hum, M.A, Ph.D and Drs. Abidin Pammu,

MA, who has always been patiently waiting, correcting, and guiding me in

completing this thesis. Also to Prof. Drs. H. Burhanuddin Arafat, Hum, Ph.D.

as a Dean of Faculty of Cultural Sciences Hasanuddin University, Drs. Hashim

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Husain, M. Hum., Dra. Nasmilah, M.Hum, Ph.D., and Mr. Abbas, S.S.,

M.Hum., as the Head Board of English Department, for their guidance during my

study in English Department. Also high appreciation is extended to all lecturers

and staffs of English Department Faculty of Cultural Sciences Hasanuddin

University, especially for Kak Alwy Rachman, Pak. Assagaf, and Kak Iwan

Sumantri, as a teacher and all at once as an egalitarian interlocutor, and also for

Sitti Sahraeny, s.s., M.AppLing, as my academic advisor.

Furthermore, and certainly not the last, gratitude is also expressed to all of

my beloved friend: Big Family of LAW UNHAS, grademate Redemption 09,

member of PERISAI FS-UH, Kosaster FS-UH, and all great friends in process

while undertaken all organizational activities in Faculty of Cultural Sciences that I

cannot mention one by one on this occasion. Thank you. You're all awesome!

Humbly, I realize and believe that this work is still far from perfect.

Therefore, all constructive criticism, suggestions, and corrections are things that

wanted or not should be accepted. Lastly, I hope that this thesis can give, even just

a little, beneficial to anyone in the future who take time even just for a while to

open and read it.

Makassar, August 18th, 2015.

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ABSTRAK

Novel Fight Club karya Chuck Palahniuk, menunjukan relasi yang kuat dengan
pandangan dunia existentialisme. Pertama-tama, hal ini terlihat dari struktur yang
terdapat di dalam karya ini. Sesuai dengan yang disyaratkan Goldmann, struktur karya
direkonseptualisasi ke dalam bentuk struktur ruang dan aspek alur. Struktur ruang yang
terbangun di dalam karya sastra menunjukkan equivalensi dalam menunjukkan berbagai
tingkatan situasi dan kondisi kehidupan sang pengarang. Sementara aspek alurnya,
dengan sendiri di bangun oleh perjalanan eksistensial yang di lakukan oleh sang
problematic hero melintasi berbagai tingkatan kondisi kehidupannya.

Struktur demikian, merupakan hasil strukturasi dari pandangan dunia


eksistensialisme yang memandang individu sebagai subjek yang sedang menjalani
perjalanan eksistensialnya di dalam semesta. Pandangan dunia eksistensialisme ini,
diekspresikan oleh pengarang yang berlatarbelakang kelas pekerja terdidik. Kelas
pekerja yang masih memiliki akses terhadap berbagai macam wacana-wacana ilmu
pengetahuan, dan teks-teks filosofis ideologis.

Penginternalisasian pandangan dunia eksistensialisme oleh kelas pekerja terdidik


ini, dimungkinkan oleh kondisi sosial Amerika pada saat itu yang menunjukkan gejala
‘masyarakat konsumen’ yang merupakan dampak dari keadaan ekonomi politik pada
masa itu. Di tengah kondisi sosial seperti ini, manusia mengalami krisis eksistensial.
Merasa resah dengan hidup yang berjalan mekanis, hampa dan tanpa makna. Situasi
inilah yang kemudian memungkinkan penerimaan atas pemikiran eksistensialisme yang
berasal dari para pemikir Prancis.

Dengan demikian, keseluruhan variable dalam penilitian strukturalisme genetik


ini, yakni, struktur karya, pandangan dunia, subjek kolektif, dan struktur sosial,
menunjukkan tingkat koherensi yang maximum, sesuai dengan capaian yang dituju oleh
strukturalisme genetik. Oleh karena itu, novel Fight Club dapat dikatakan sebagai salah
satu novel besar akhir abad dua puluh.

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ABSTRACT

Fight Club novel, by Chuck Palahniuk, demonstrate a strong relations with


existentialism world view. First of all, it can be seen by the structure contained in this
work. In accordance to what Goldmann has required, the structure of the literary work is
reconceptualized into the space structure and plot aspects. The space structure that built
up in literary work shows an equivalency in describing the situations and conditions of
life faced by the Narrator (problematic hero) in multiple levels. While the plot aspects,
by itself, built by existential journey undertaken by the Narrator through the multiple
levels of life conditions.

The structure, is the result of structuration process of existentialism world view,


that sees the individual as a subject undergoing an existential journey in the universe.
This existentialism world view, expressed by the author who comes from an educated
working class. The working class who still have access to a wide range discourses of
sciences, philosophical, and ideological texts.

The acceptance to existentialism world view by this educated working class,


made possible by the American social conditions at that time, which were showing a
symptoms of 'consumer society' which is the impact of the political and economical
situation at that time. In the midst of such social conditions, man experiencing an
existential crisis. Feeling weary with mechanical life. Empty and without meaning. This
situation then allows the acceptance toward the idea of existentialism derived from
French thinkers.

Thus, the overall variable in genetic structuralism research, namely, the structure
of the work, the world view, the collective subject, and the social structure, shows the
coherence at maximum extent, appropriate to the outcomes intended by genetic
structuralism theory. Therefore, Fight Club novel can be regarded as one of the ‘great
literary work’ of the late twentieth century.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Front Page ...................................................................................................................... i

Approval .................................................................................................................................. ii

Acknowledgement ................................................................................................................. vi

Abstrak ................................................................................................................................... vii

Abstract .................................................................................................................................viii

Table of Contents .................................................................................................................. ix

Chapter I Introduction

1.1 Background..................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Statements of The Problems ........................................................................... 3

1.3 Scope of The Problems................................................................................... 3

1.4 Research Quetions .......................................................................................... 4

1.5 Purpose and Objective of The Study .............................................................. 5

1.6 Significant of The Study................................................................................. 5

1.7 Sequences of The Chapter .............................................................................. 6

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Chapter II Literature Review

2.1 Previous Study................................................................................................ 8

2.2 Theoritical Background ................................................................................ 18

2.2.1 Genetic Structuralism .......................................................................... 18

2.2.1.1 Structuralism............................................................................ 19

2.2.1.2 Marxism................................................................................... 22

2.2.1.3 Goldmann’s Genetic Structuralism ......................................... 26

Humanity Fact .......................................................................... 27

Collective Subject..................................................................... 28

World View .............................................................................. 30

Structure of The Literary Works .............................................. 32

Social Structure......................................................................... 34

The Dialectic Of Whole-Parts And

Comprehension-Explanation .................................................... 34

2.3 Existentialism ............................................................................................... 38

2.4 The Authorship of Chuck Palahniuk ............................................................ 47

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2.4.1 Biography ............................................................................................ 49

2.4.2 Works................................................................................................... 56

Chapter III Research Method ...................................................................................... 58

3.1 Method on Collecting Data........................................................................... 58

3.2 Method on Analyzing Data........................................................................... 59

3.3 Research Procedure ...................................................................................... 61

Chapter IV Analysis.................................................................................................... 63

4.1 Structure of Fight Club Novel ...................................................................... 64

4.2 World View .................................................................................................. 94

4.2.1 Existentialism As ‘World View’ In Fight Club Novel ................................ 94

4.3 Social Genesis of Fight Club NoveL.......................................................... 108

4.3.1 The Social Structure of American Society ........................................ 108

4.3.2 The Social Class of The Author ........................................................ 115

Chapter V Conclusion ............................................................................................... 119

5.1 Conclusions ......................................................................................................... 119

5.2 Suggestions .......................................................................................................... 122

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Bibliography.............................................................................................................. 124

Appendix ................................................................................................................... 125

Appendix I Synopsis of Fight Club Novel ........................................................ 125

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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

One of the main reason in deciding Fight Club as an object of this research is

the lasting impression that was present during the first reading of this novel. There

are so many essential expressions that imply messages which represent certain

ideology. Messages that cannot be easily be ignored simply because, more or less, it

is considered quite disturbing the writer’s previous structures of beliefs that have

been ungainly established in mind. For example, some fragment of sentences that

were found in the initial paragraph of this work “[…]the first step to eternal life is

you have to die” (Palahniuk, 2010: 1). In short, this novel has immediately slapped

readers’ conviction (including researcher) even through its first sentence.

In addition to the above example, there is also an expression contained in the

oration sentences posed by one of the characters in this work at the middle part of

this novel, "You are not a beautiful and unique snowflake. You are the same

decaying organic matter as everyone else, and we are all part of the same compost

pile (Palahniuk, 2010: 166)." By such initial reading, the writer concludes that this

novel is one of contemporary novels full of messages from certain ideological and

philosophical notion.

The anxiety toward this work extremely increased when the writer tried to put

a glimpse on the social conditions in the United States during the time this work was

written. As a result, there was a kind of similarity between the contexts of American

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society with the depiction of the conditions of the society in this novel. Specifically,

the depiction of life’s problems experienced by the Narrator who is characterized as a

white-collar worker who works at a company, alienated from his environment, and

experiencing a monotonous and meaningless life. In addition, in 2005, Stirring Still,

The International Journal of Existentialist Literature, published a special edition

devoted to discuss Fight Club novel as one of ‘contemporary existentialist novel’.

Various scientific papers which discussed about the controversy of Fight Club

novel, which still tends to be partial, both on the substance and the social context,

also become the reason why the more in-depth research, about some of the things

that have been mentioned earlier, is necessary. And the most appropriate one—

according to writer’s initial assumption—is a research that uses Genetic

Structuralism as the theoretical basis.

Goldmann, in his essay, repeatedly asserted that genetic structuralism theory

can only be used to examine a ‘great literary works’. The literary works contained

expressions of some holistic and complex vision or ‘world view’. In its relation to

this study, the writer assumed—and all at once will be provenin this research—that

this contemporary novel is a ‘great literary work’ that expresses certain world view at

the holistic extent. This assumption later, is reinforced by the emergence of various

debates about the ideological substance of this novel.

One of the substantial content contained in this novelis a portrayal of societal

conditions including the condition and situation of modern society. This, according

to the writer, is not only relevant with American society, but also to the society in the

Third World Countries such as Indonesia, which are highly vulnerable to getting

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contaminated by consumer culture created by the economic system of capitalism.

Thus, a valid research on what is the substance of this novel, seems important to be

committed, in order to contribute in providing an additional alternatives in

interpreting the messages contained therein.

In addition to the reasons described above, the writer also feels the necessity to

commit a study that tried to apply the proper use of genetic structuralism at the whole

and maximal extent. Considering, the lack of methodological references in the

genetic structuralism study in the literary research.

1.2 Statements of The Problems

From the elucidation of the background of the study above, the writer tries to

identify some of the main research problems aforementioned. Among them are listed

below:

1. The imaginary universe (the characters, the objects, and the relations) that

exist in Fight Club novel, through a glance reading, seems filled with some

philosophical and ideological messages.

2. Imaginary universe previously mentioned, particularly those which depict

the condition of society gnawed by consumer culture, seem to have a

relationship with the social reality in the United States, particularly those

appeared around the time this work was created.

1.3 Scope of The Problems

To refine the analysis of this study, the writer intended to limit the issues that

will be examined. This study will focus on three main variables, namely the structure

3
of the work, a world view that has been expressed, and the social genesis of the

work. Overall, this study will show the coherence between the three main variables

that have been mentioned.

1.4 Research Questions

After describing the problems identified in the Fight Club novel, along with the

scope of the problem, then the following has been compiled several questions that

represent the problems identified above:

1. How is the structure of the Fight Club novel authored by Chuck Palahniuk?

2. What kind of world view expressed in this novel?

3. What kind of social structure lied behind the creation of this work, and

what kind of social group, or ‘collective subject’ in Goldmann’s term,

represented by the author?

1.5 Purpose and Objective of The Study

In harmony with the questions that have been formulated, the study aims to

unravel comprehensively main variables defined in this study:

1. To see how the imaginary universe shaped the structure of this novel.

2. To uncover the world view expressed in this novel

3. To uncover the social genesis of Fight Club novel which includes the

social structure and the social group/collective subjectof the author.

Another purpose of this study is to try to use the genetic structuralism theory at

the whole and comprehensive extent, amid the scarcity of methodological reference

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at the library of Faculty of Cultural Sciences Hasanuddin University. And equally

important is, to provide additional alternatives to the readers’ reception in

interpreting this novel. Because, however, literary works is a living entity which

work on the cognitive and affective level of human being. So that, more or less, the

ideological or philosophical, or even a dogmatic messages contained in this novel,

will also be absorbed and then affecting beliefs and awareness of the individuals who

have read this work. Finally and inevitably, this research is certainly also dedicated

as the condition to achieve the Sarjana Degree in English Department Faculty of

Cultural Sciences Hasanuddin University.

1.6 Significance of The Study

Theoretically, this research is expected to give a contribution in the disciplines

of literary sciences, especially in terms of methodological practice of theory.

Whether it gives a new criticism for the practice of a theory in studying literary

works, or confirm the validity of existing theory in its application to the study of

literary works. While in the smaller scope, the results of this study are expected to be

a reference in the literary research, especially those in the realm of sociology of

literature, in the days to come.

Practically, this study is expected to give an alternative critical view for the

readers in interpreting the works that have been studied. Particularly, regarding

various major themes contained in this novel. By reveals the aesthetic value

(structure) and reveal the meaning of this work is based on the principles of genetic

structuralism theory, the writer is expected to be able to give a contribution in any

attempts to interpret one of this Chuck Palahniuk's masterpiece.

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1.7 Sequences of The Chapter

Chapter I covers the background of the study, identification of problems, scope

of the problems, statement of problems, objectives of writing, significant of the

study, and sequences of chapter.

Chapter II provides the literary review, which consists of previous study,

theoretical background,and the authorship of Chuck Palahniuk. In the discussion on

the previous study, the writer shows some previous researches that address both

Fight Club as an object of research, as well as the use of 'genetic structuralism' as a

theoretical basis. In the theoretical background, the writer gives an explanation about

genetic structuralism theory as the main theory underlying this study. This section,

then, ends by discussing the authorship of Chuck Palahniuk which contains a short

description of his works and biography.

Chapter III reveals about the methodology which used by the author in

analyzing Fight Club novel by Chuck Palahniuk.

Chapter IV raises the explanation regarding the analysis of Fight Club novel by

using the principles of genetic structuralism theory. This chapter describes in high

detail the variables that used to be analyzed when conducting a research with genetic

structuralism theory, that is, the structure of the Fight Club novel, the world view,

and the social genesis which includes the social structure of American society, and

social groups/collective subject represented by the author.

Finally, in Chapter V, the writer formulates sort of conclusion on the overall

analysis which includes an explanation of the coherence between all the variables

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that has become the main concern of genetic structuralism theory. In addition, the

writer also includes a bit of suggestion based on the inventory of this research that

appears in the writer’s mind after completing the study.

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CHAPTER II

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Previous Study

Fight Club novel’s launching in early 90's made a lot of writers, critics, and

public at large, willing or not, begin to look over this new comer author. Through

this extremely controversial work of him, Chuck Palahniuk made new taste to the

literary world in the United States. By raising some major themes such as, de-

humiliation and consumerism, the novel, in a short time, flooding to book stores in

Washington DC. So that, two decades since it was first launched, is a very enough

time to make scholars become fascinated in placing this novel as an object of a study

or criticism in the realm of literary sciences.

Based on such facts, before doing this study, the writer first make a

comprehensive literature review to look back into any aspects that have been

researched in this novel. And then be used as a reference to determine the aspects

which will going to be studied.

To facilitate understanding of the various studies that has been ever done, first,

the writer conducted a categorized searching of literature review. The first category

is a various studies that put the Fight Club novel as an 'object of research'. It is,

conducted to review any aspects that has been studied in it, and what kind of

approaches or theoretical framework that has been used in analyzing it. The second

category, is various studies using genetic structuralism theory as its surgical tool. It is

then used as a methodological reference regarding the application of the theory in

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literary research. Besides that, it is also used as a reference to see sorts of results

founded by those study.

In the first stage, the writer conducted library research in the scope of Faculty

of Letters, Hasanuddin University. And the result, the writer did not find any thesis

that puts Fight Club novel by Chuck Palahniuk as an object of study. Furthermore,

the writer conducted a library research in a wider scale, that is, from various

university in the state. This searching is, of course, facilitated by internet only. In

addition, the writer also tries to communicate with students in other universities to

find intended sources.

The first study found was conducted by Atuk Nuroya Tiwan, student of

English Language and Literature at Semarang State University. The first thing that

will be disclosed from this thesis is the confusion between the title and the abstract.

The study was entitled "Multiple Personality Disorder and Insomnia as The

Reflection of Modern Life Problem as Seen in Chuck Palahniuk's Fight Club Movie".

Yet, what was depicted in the abstract is that the object of the research is Fight Club

"novel". It is presented at first since there is a significant difference between the two

forms of artwork—film and novel—which became the object of research.

Apart from the confusion that has been presented, the writer finds this research

only focused on the psychological aspects of the work. Atuk formulates three

research questions, which all of them were still included in the realm of what is

purely psychological. The first is the characteristics of the character, in terms of the

characterization theory in psychology. The second one is, life pressure experienced

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by the main character (Narrator) in Palahniuk’s work. The third is the effect of the

life pressure on the characterization of the main character.

Something amiss in this research, according to the writer, is Atuk did not use

any theoretical concept in the contexts of literary sciences. Atuk only mentioned the

sources he used, which all of them is purely psychological, instead of, for example,

psychoanalysis theory in literary sciences.

The second study was conducted by Denny Dewanto, a student of English

literature at the Malang State University. His research was entitled, "Marxism

Alienation on The Main Character of Chuck Palahniuk's Fight Club." As stated in

the title, this study focused on the theme of 'alienation' experienced by the Narrator

in his imaginary universe. In this study, Denny using Karl Marx’s and Herbert

Marcuse’s theoretical frame work about alienation to dissect Fight Club novel. In the

study abstract, Denny did not mention the frame work of literary theory that is used

to approach the work that has been analyzed.

At the end, Denny concluded that capitalism is an absolute thing that causes the

Narrator of Fight Club experienced a total alienation in his imaginary universe. And

until the end of the story, the Narrator was notable to get out from such alienated

conditions, to achieve his essence as a free and universal human being.

For the second category, the references on the practical application of genetic

structuralism theory, the writer finds a literary review in the scope of the Faculty of

Letters Hasanuddin University and various campuses in the states. The first research

found is performed by Nasrullah, a student of English Department Hasanuddin

University class of 2007.

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Nasrullah analyzed an American Author’s work, John Grisham, entitled The

Street Lawyer. His research has titled as “Poor People Struggle In Grisham's 'The

Street Lawyer'." In his research, Nasrullah focusing his study only on “the struggle of

poor people and homeless to claim their rights and how its relationship between

historical background and writer’s biography…” (Nasrullah, 2013: 13). This

research reached the conclusion remarked that the structure of The Street lawyer

novel shows a coherence with the social structure extended along the years where

this work were in creating process. Just like what Nasrullah remarked in his research

conclusion, “(…) many kinds of poor people struggle is found in the novel. John

Grisham obviously wanted to show the contrasts of the two world between the rich

and poor people. (Nasrullah, 2013).

From this research report, the writer found a little mistake in the application of

the concept of the structure of literary works (novels). Nasrullah, elaborate the

structure of The Street Lawyer novel using the theoretical concept expressed by

Abrams and Robert Stanton regarding the structure of the literary works, Which

divide the intrinsic aspect of the novel in partial explanation, such as characters,

plots, conflicts, etc. Whereas Goldmann, carries a different concept in the whole

theoretical concept of genetic structuralism, especially the structure of the novel. In

his concept about the structure of the novel, Goldmann elucidates that description

about the structure of the novel consist of the coherence between the universe of

characters, objects, or relations in the imaginary universe. Thus, Goldmann’s theory

about the structure of the novel focus on the relations between the characters, and the

relation between the characters and objects around them, in a certain semantic field.

And it's all presented in a coherent wholeness (Faruk, 2012:72).

11
For more complete reference in terms of the application of genetic

structuralism, the writer adds some more previous study to serve as a methodological

reference material. The next research is a dissertation by Faruk HT about history of

Indonesian literature in Balai Pustaka tradition 1920-1942 that were later published

as a book entitled Novel Indonesia, Kolonialisme, dan Ideologi Emansipatoris. In the

introductory chapter, the book explained the background of the study, identification

of problems, objectives, and literature review. Then, accomplished with a description

of the theoretical background and sequences of the chapters.

Regarding the discussion of the theoretical basis, it is necessary to be presented

in more detail, as a reference to build a theoretical background in this study. In the

explanation of the theoretical basis in his book, Faruk explained briefly, solidly and

representatively the theory of genetic structuralism. But no less important to also

conveyed here is, in the book, Faruk give special attention to some of the criticisms

that have been appointed to genetic structuralism theoretical framework initiated by

Lucien Goldmann. The criticism came from Laurenson and Swingwood, stated that

Goldmann miss the notion that the birth of literary works (novels) does not always

come from socio-ideological genesis, but also there is a possibility that the

authorship of an individual can be affected by his relationship with the literary

tradition that is exist in the spatial or historical environment. The relationship

between the individual and the literary tradition aforementioned not only about how

these individuals inherit the existing tradition, but also how an individual responds it.

Whether it absorb, develop, modify, or reject the existing tradition. The latter

explanation, conveyed by Faruk, is called the semiotics genesis. Up here, it is clear

12
that the literature is not only concerned about the socio-ideological genesis, but also

the semiotics genesis

Expansion of genetic structuralism theory into semiotics, at least counts the

fundamental contribution of the concepts existed in genetic structuralism theory. The

first is, the semiotic convention in the literary works, as has been criticized by

Laurenson and Swingewood. Literary convention mentioned here is closely related to

the tradition that has been mentioned before. In his dissertation Faruk remarked that

Balai Pustaka literary tradition, as concrete instances for certain convention

regarding semiotic concepts in literature.

The second is the contribution of semiotics theory for the formulation of the

concept of structure of the literary works (novels). From here, the concept of the

structure of the literary work is considered as a conceptual building centered on the

idea of binary opposition. This concept comes from the semiotic notion carried by

Lotman and Uspensky. Although Goldmann had never mentioned Lotman’s name,

the concept of such binary opposition have often been used by him, particularly those

found in his essay entitled Genetic-Structuralism and Stylistics Analysis, which is

nothing but a report on the results of his research on tragic the world view in the

works of Racine. In the binary opposition concepts, the conventional terms such as

plot, setting, and character, is re-conceptualized into an imaginary universe centered

on the ideas of binary opposition.

Besides two ideas explained above, according to Faruk, there is one more

significant contribution from semiotics theory for the improvement of genetic

structuralism theory. Namely, the idea of the relationship between text and context,

13
or more precisely, the relationship between the 'world views' (as the structuration

power toward the text) with the text (as the structure with relative autonomy). Faruk

refers to semiotic theory carried by Umberto Eco to explain the production process of

sign. Faruk said that Eco, first, put the sign as a material substance. The production

process of sign, among others, are; the formation process of ‘continuum of

expression’, the correlate process of ‘continuum of expression’ (that has been

formed) with its possible substance, the correlate process of these signs with factual

events, objects, and the conditon of the world surrounding it. Faruk said that the

substance of signs is ‘material continuum’. Furthermore, these material continuum

offer some kind of potential meaning toward the existing signs. It means that there

are various possibilities concerning the meaning of certain sign.

Material Continuum mentioned above then called by Faruk as a non-systemic

elements of literary works. Which mean, an element which allows the gap between

the text and literary conventions, or the ‘world view’ which build the structure.

Therefore, the existence possibility of this non-systemic elements, also allowing

some deconstruction process of a text by itself. From here Faruk then added

Deconstruction theoretical concepts carried by Jaques Derrida to enhance the genetic

structuralism theory. But for the proper necessity of this study, the theoretical

expansion towards the deconstruction theory will be reviewed no further considering

the relevance with theoretical framework that will going to be used.

Such was the theoretical basis used by Faruk to conduct research on the history

of Indonesian literature in BalaiPustaka tradition around 1920-1942. The discussion

in this introductory chapter then continued with a presentation about the sequences of

the chapters the book.

14
In the next chapter (Chapter II) Faruk begin his presentation by describing that

'romanticism' is a world view held by the authors of novels in Balai Pustaka

tradition. Not so clear where these hypotheses are derived. Yet, in the next section,

Faruk reveals that the hypothesis is continuation from sources that have long been

proposed by other researchers. One example, as outlined in initial paragraphs in the

beginning of this chapter:

Sejak dibentuknya majalah Pujangga Baru pada tahun 1933, di dalam


lingkungan sastra Indonesia tradisi Balai Pustaka muncul para sastrawan
yang sadar-diri akan pandangan dunia mereka, yaitu romantisisme. Pada
tahun 1934, misalnya, Soewandi (1934:332) menyebutkan bahwa bagi
pendukung Pujangga Baru “romantik itu lah yang menjadi dasar yang dipuja
mereka”. Pada tahun 1941 Pane (A) (1941:231) mengatakan bahwa yang
menjadi semangat para sastrawan Indonesia pada zamannya, baik Pujangga
Baru maupun Balai Pustaka, “tidak ada bedanya dengan semangat romantik”
(Faruk, 2012b: 36).

Further discussion, still in the same chapter, Faruk adds some more other old

sources. Thus, in the afterwards discussions, the romanticism world view, which has

previously described, used as a global semantic models—in the sense that covers all

elements of the work under studied—to explain the other variables in genetic

structuralism theory. In this chapter, Faruk explain, almost in all section, mostly

about romanticism in general.

In the next chapter, Faruk explains about the infiltration of romanticism in the

literary tradition in Indonesia and how it’s spreading in various literary traditions

existed in Indonesia. After that, as has been mentioned earlier that the world view

became a global semantics model, then comes the explanation about the structure of

the novels in BalaiPustaka tradition (in Chapter IV) and social genesis of the novels

in BalaiPustaka tradition (chapter V). Explanation about the social genesis also

includes the ideological circumstances of Indonesia at that time, and the social group

15
or ‘collective subject’ represented by the author, and social structures of the colonial

period. The chapter is also equipped with an explanation about literary circumstances

in Indonesia.

Further references regarding the application of genetic structuralism theory is

the thesis committed by Gustaf Sitepu, Post-Graduate Student at Sumatera Utara

University who studied Asmaraloka novel by Danarto. Some important things that

can be used as reference in this study is an additional separated chapter which

discusses about 'Danarto and his authorship'. In this chapter Sitepu outlines, with

enough detail, about Danarto’s biography, the authorship concept of Danarto,

Danarto’s works, and a synopsis of Asmaraloka novel.

Furthermore, in contrast to what was done by Faruk, Sitepu started the research

report by explaining the structure of Asmaraloka novel. This differences, according

to the writer, can be understood because, in contrast with the object that has been

researched by Faruk, there is not many study yet which analyzed Danarto’s world

view as an author. It can also be justified, because since the beginning Sitepu has

explained that the study is using dialectical method.

Sitepu then continues the discussion by outlining the social life of the author

related to Asmaraloka novel. Then followed by an explanation regarding the

historical background or social events of Indonesian society that conditioned the

birth of the novel. In the next section, then presented Danarto’s World View as the

author, based on various data that has been recovered from the discussion about the

structure of the novel and social structure.

16
In the thesis, there are actually an expanding of genetic structuralism theory

toward concept of linguistic theory, but related to the field of this study, the writer

sees that it is irrelevant and need not be described at length in this discussion.

At last, to add more reference, the writer also reviewed various articles, papers,

journals, or any writings on the websites, to enrich the literature review in this study.

All of them will be presented on the bibliography pages at the end of this research

report.

By all literature review that has been committed, the writer concludes that, all

researches on Fight Club novel ever done are still fragmentary. None of these study

that examine Fight Club novel as a whole by describing the coherence between all

variables contained in the concept of genetic structuralism theory. In addition, within

the scope of Faculty of Letters, Hasanuddin University, the writer have not found any

thesis that used genetic strkturalisme theory appropriately, or at least, did not deviate

from what has been formulated by Goldmann. Therefore, in this study, the authors

will try to apply genetic structuralism theory at the whole and comprehensive extent,

in order to reveal the meaning or messages contained in the work of Chuck

Palahniuk, Fight Club.

2.2 Theoritical Background

In this section the writer will explain the theoretical basis that will be used to

analyze Fight Club novel by Chuck Palahniuk. The basis theory in this study, as

repeatedly mentioned, is genetic structuralism theory initiated by Lucien Goldmann.

As mentioned in the previous sections, the writer intends to apply genetic

structuralism theory as a whole. Therefore, all the variables contained in the overall

17
conception of genetic structuralism theory will be presented here. More details about

the theoretical basis mentioned above will be described hereinafter.

2.2.1 Genetic Structuralism

Before entering an in depth discussion on genetic structuralism, it is

important to first understand the core concepts of the recent theories, which

became the theoretical basis used by Goldmann in developing the whole

concept of genetic structuralism theory.

As Goldmann named his theory as genetic structuralism, he believed

that literary works is a structure (Faruk, 2012: 56). Thus, it can be said that

Goldmann also believes the ideas that everything in this universe has a

structure. But, slightly exceeded the previous structuralism thinkers, the

structure which is meant by Goldmann is not a static structure that separated

from another larger structure in which a structure becomes part of it. For

Goldmann, the structure of a literary works is a structuration product of a larger

series of structures.

In addition, as a Marxist, Goldmann also believes that all kinds of

humanity facts that occurred on this earth will never be understood if separated

from their social context (Goldmann, 1980: 35). However, if humanity facts

narrowed only in the context of literature, it is not also completely

unacceptable to say that literature is purely a product of a social structure

that,wholly, subordinates the literature. Goldmann believes that the two

significant variables has a dialectical relationship patterns that forms the spiral

scheme, which is the starting point can started at any variable.

18
From the previous introductory description, the following will be

presented an overview of two grounded theory which became the foundation of

genetic structuralism theory developed by Goldmann.

2.2.1.1 Structuralism

To understand structuralism clearly, what must first be understood is

the history and genealogy of structuralism itself. In a various references,

structuralism was simply explained as a theory lays on a certain philosophical

tradition which assumes that everything that exists in this world is essentially

has a structure. Structuralism is also used in various fields of science. In the

various literature, Claude Levi Strauss cited as the father of structuralism,

which build his complex theoretical framework intact in the frame of

anthropology. But, on the other hand, Levi Strauss’ ideas also cannot be

separated from the influence of structural linguistic and semiotics theory by

Ferdinand de Saussure, or the followers of early formalism. Flashbacks

understand the origin of structuralism very risky if it is determined that

originated from a single estuary (Susanto, 2012: 88)

To avoid misinterpretation of a variety of these almost identical terms

in the notion of structuralism, the writer first trying to clean semantic

conception toward these terms. In the discussion regarding structuralism, there

are a view terms which still belong to one meaning family that is almost the

same, but basically has a different concept of meaning. While in the utilizing of

many scholars, these terms often put in the use of less precise. The terms meant

19
by the writer, among others; Structure, Structuration, Structural, structuralism,

and structuralists.

The first term, structure, can be interpreted as an abstract concept to

named or refer to certain entity exist within a particular reality. Or it can also

serve to establish the reality in the conceptual level, both in the empirical and

non-empirical context (Susanto, 2012: 89). In a simpler explanation, things can

be said possesed a structure if it, with various parts in it, forming a unified

whole, not just a mere accumulation of parts contained in it. Relations between

parts inside the structure is not quantitative, but qualitative in nature. It means,

if even one part is removed, the unity of the structure is not only reduced, but

totally damaged (Faruk, 2012a: 155).

The second is, structuration. These terms can be defined as the

creation process of the structure itself. Attention to the creation process of the

structure itself includes a variety of things that became, or possible to become a

conditioning factors for the creation of a structure. Third, structuralism, as

mentioned briefly before, is a branch or a stream of thought in philosophy. This

ideas focuses its attention on any efforts to reveal the inner structure of a reality

that seems chaotic and irregular and scientifically varied. By using any method

as objective as possible, follows the formula or the rules that have been

established, as well as keeping the distance between the observed and the

observer (Susanto, 2012: 89).

Furthermore, structuralist, is a predicate for the adherents or followers

of structuralism. Or in other words, the structuralist is the scientists who accept

20
the concept contained structuralism, or use it as a foothold for any theories

they created. The last is structural. By its lexical meaning, this word is an

adjective, but still contained the meaning from its origin word that is, structure.

In the scientific context, structural terms is often interpreted as a method or

procedure applied by the structuralists to implement his thoughts flow;

structuralism.

. Back to the previous discussion, structuralism also believe that

everything that can be said as a structure, have the ability to transform and

regulate himself. Something can be said as a structure if it is able to make

changes or adaptations without losing the integrity of itself, the main function

which became the structuration center. In addition, a structure can also be

independently overcome any interference from outside of itself, once again,

with not losing its integrity as a structure.

All of these terms would accomplished our understanding that

structuralism considers that every things in this world build its own world, its

own mechanism, to carry out its functions, regardless of various influences

from outside of itself; considers that every things exist are an autonomy power

who capable to build, develop, and maintain itself in its own way. In other

words, everything in this world is seen as an independent structure, closed, and

autonomous.

Therefore, structuralism, after contextualized into literary science,

treats literature as something independent as well, something that has a

structure, something intact, transformative, and capable to regulate its self.

21
Structuralism in literary sciences believe that literary texts can be understood

and explained based on the evidence appeared in the literary text itself.

2.2.1.2 Marxism

Marxism could also be included into the broad categories of social

theory. As a field of science that puts the society as its main object, there is

precisely Marxism take a position. Let us assumed that the social sciences,

including Marxism in it, inevitably rooted in a certain philosophical tradition.

Marxism as well, was laying its foundation on a certain philosophical tradition;

philosophy of materialism, which is undoubtedly an opposite of idealism

philosophical tradition.

Karl Marx, as a pioneer of Marxism theory—taken from his own

name—is firmly opposed to another sociologist who rooted his thoughts on the

idealism philosophical tradition, which tend to put science at the top of 'ivory

tower', far from giving benefits directly to the society. Marx argues that science

must be rooted in the material conditions of human conditions. According to

him, the main and the first struggle of mankind is a struggle to fulfill their

material needs. This struggle then bring people to treat nature as a source of

needs fulfillment. To make nature as something that can fulfill his needs,

people are required to commit the transformation toward the nature. Those

efforts led to technologies and social relations.

Within the scope of Marxism theory, the efforts to transform the

nature, called ‘productive activities’. All the tools needed for those efforts

named as ‘means of production’. The circumstances in which the ongoing

22
efforts occurring called ‘production area’. While the totality of all these things

along with the social relations that built up in it, called the ‘conditions of

production’ (Faruk, 2012: 26).

Still part of a whole series of Marxist theory, social relationships that

has been created are no less than a relationship between two fundamental social

groups existing in society, which is then called as ‘social classes’. Social class

is a social grouping and at the same time the division of labor which is based

on the ownership or control of means of production. Thus, according to Marx,

all dynamics occurred in the human environment is a form of class conflict

between the owners of means of production, which is then called as the

bourgeoisie and the working class who do not have means of production,

which is then called as proletarian. In addition, Marxism also see that there are

always two significant structures that made up the order of the society. The

first is basic-structure, which is nothing but an economic structure prevailing

in the society. The second is supra-structure, namely the social institutions

within the society, such as family, education, laws, politics and even religion,

art and so forth. In simple terms it can be said that basic-structure regarded to

material things, while the supra-structure regarded to ideological matters.

In its application to the study of literature, Marxism does not see an

author as an individual, but a subject that cannot be separated from his social

class. As a theory included within the scope of social theory, Marxism puts

literature equal with another supra-structure existed in the society, as has been

mentioned previously.

23
Karl Marx’s Theory of Value1

Marx’s Theoretical conception that will also be needed in this study is

the theory of value (an explanation of the value is assumed persistent with the

framework of political-economic theory of Karl Marx, but in its referring in

another part of this study, an explanation of the theory of value has been

contextualized into the discussion of sociological framework). This needs to be

expressed as a starting point to explain part in analysis chapter, later, that will

also be equipped with an explanation of other theoretical conception.

The discussion about value presented in general discussion about

commodities—all objects resulted by human production activity. According to

it, there are two basic elements contained within each commodity. It means that

these two elements will always be there and be a characteristic of every

commodity that has been manufactured. The first is the ‘use-value’, the utility

value of an object (commodity) based on the physical character of the material.

For example, water contains use-value because the water can be used to relieve

thirst, or can also be used for bathing and washing clothes. As another

example, a comb has a use-value because it is useful to trim the hair more

easily, and so on. So the use-value of each object varies based on the physical

character of the material.

The second is the ‘exchange-value’, which is the value of an object /

commodity when interchanged with other objects. For example, a bag of rice

has an equivalent exchange-value with five packs of cigarettes. In between the

1
Summarized from internet essay entitled “Bentuk Nilai (Value form atau form of Value)”.

24
two commodities lays the value as a factors of mediation. That is, such a sack

of rice worth umpteen (x), then, based on the previous example, five packs of

cigarettes also have the same value (x).

Furthermore, Marx explained, the value (x) is determined based on,

among others, the whole production process devoted to produce objects /

commodities. To see the measurement of the production process previously

mentioned, there are other variables that also must be considered. Among

others, the amount of working time, number of workers, and the amount of

basis material needed. These variables, on this occasion will not be broke down

any further. The explanation of the theory of value for the purposes of this

study is merely to recognize the basic value elements contained in an object /

commodities distributed and consumed by people.

2.2.1.3 Goldmann’s Genetic Structuralism

The previous exposure, therefore, can lead us to understand that

Goldman believes in a view who considers a literary work as a structure that

cannot be separated from other larger structures existed beyond it.

Furthermore, to enhance his theoretical framework, Goldmann, again, outlined

with more detail and basic scientific concepts underpinned the overall genetic

structuralism theoretical framework. Of course by stands on the paradigm

which is still in line with the two grounded theory which its validity was still

believed by Goldmann.

The basic concept mentioned earlier, essentially combined in a series

of total coherence, which can be simplified into one form of the hypothesis

25
argued that the literary work is a humanity fact which has a specific structure

and contains certain world view of a particular social class which the formation

influenced by social structure where this social class is alive (Faruk, 2012a:

166).

From a series of hypothetical sentence, the writer can presumably

outlined some of the main concepts that should be outlined more clearly. These

concepts are, , the humanity facts, the structure of literary works, world view,

social classes, and social structures. Goldmann has affirmed these concepts in

various publications of his writings. And delivered back in more

comprehensive arrangement by Faruk. On this occasion, the writer would

elucidate the description of the basic concepts mentioned above referred to the

arrangement used by Faruk, by sets out efficiency and ethical matters in

accordance with the necessity of this study.

2.2.1.3.1 Humanity Facts

Humanity facts is the ontological foundation of Genetic

structuralism (Faruk, 2012: 57). It means—as has been shortly

disclosed previously—literature is a phenomenon that is the result

of human actions. Literary works is not a phenomenon that appears

just naturally, but there is human intervention in it. Literary works,

not much different from other humanity facts that was created by

humans with the certain purpose.

Since there are various kinds of humanity facts produced by

humans, Faruk (2012: 57) then divide it into two category, namely,

26
the individual facts and social facts. The individual facts are the

result of the libidinal urge of individual subject, whereas a social

fact is a product of a particular social structure which is driven by

trans-individual subject.

As a humanity fact, Goldmann (1980: 75) considers

literature as a significant structure. This implied that, the literary

works is a form of human response as well as efforts to establish a

balance with the surrounding environment, whether it is their

natural circumstances, or humane circumstances. Thus, the

literature as a humanity fact will always has a specific purpose.

Therefore, besides having a structure, the literary works also have

meaning. This view, openly expressed by Goldmann, adopted from

Piaget’s psychological notion which believed that humans and the

surrounding circumstances is always in the process of reciprocal

structuration conflicted each other but all at once filling each other.

This process occurred in the form of assimilation or

accommodation (Faruk, 2012: 58). If humans cannot change their

natural circumstances to follow their mind, then by itself, humans

will try to adjust his mind with the natural circumstances

surrounding them.

2.2.1.3.2 Collective Subject

Literature as a humanity fact, as mentioned earlier, is not a

naturally occurring phenomenon, but rather the result of human

27
activity as the subject. Furthermore, in this section, the discussion

that will become the main concern is regarding to the subject of the

humanity facts.

Still connected with the previous description, if there is

something to be said as the individual facts, the subject of it must

be the individual subject. Similarly, if there is something to be said

as a social facts, then the subject of it must be trans-individual

subject. Trans-individual subject is not just a herd of individuals

who stand alone, but a unity, a collectivity. Thus the social fact is

the result of collective subject’s activity.

Such the subject, Goldmann said as the subject of great

literary works. Because, according to Goldmann, great literary

works is a literature which expressed every things about the

universe and groups of human lived within it. (Faruk, 2012: 63)

Some considered that the collective subject is a concept that

is still unclear. Because, the collective subject could also means the

form of kinship groups, groups of workers, territorial groups, and

so on. Therefore, Goldmann specified such collective subjects as a

social class in the sense of Marxist theory. Cause in its historical

review, such social classes has been proven that they have an

ability to create a comprehensive view regarding the life of

mankind.

28
2.2.1.3.3 World View

The first thing will be discussed to understand what and

where were the position of a world view in the concept of

Goldmann’s genetic structuralism theory is a concept called

homology. Goldmann believed in the existence of homology

between the structure of a literary work and the social structure of

the society, since both are the result of human activity (Faruk,

2012: 64). Homology, distinguished the pattern of the relationship

between these two variables (the structure of literary works and the

structure of society) which often described by the term 'reflection'

or 'mimesis'. For Goldmann, reflection or mimesis, means, the

depiction in the literary work is always identical to what is exists in

reality. Meanwhile, the universe existed in structure of the literary

works is absolutely imaginative, unreal. The only relation that may

be emerged between literary works and reality is structural relation.

As an addition, Goldmann argues, by this concept of homology, we

can both find and at once understand the relationship between an

imaginary world in the literary works and real-world. In simple

language, the homology can be regarded as structural alignment

relationship between two variables that have been mentioned.

From here then we can understand the position of the world

view itself. Because, according to Goldmann, homology between

the structure of a literary work and the social structure of society is

not directly, but mediated by the worldview. This social structures,

29
then, generates and cultivate a certain world view. World view

(vision du monde) a term used by Goldmann to describe the whole

ideas, aspirations, feelings, linking the members of the society in a

particular social group, and all at once distinguishes it from other

social groups. The concept of worldview in genetic structuralism

theory not only includes a set of ideas about human life, but also

some kind of way of life as a manifestation of the perception of the

world (Faruk, 2012: 66).

As a collective consciousness, a world view developed as a

result of certain socio-economic situation faced by the collective

subjects. And is the result of interaction between the collective

subject, and the collective subject with the surrounding

circumstances in a long period of time. Caused by the societal

condition that was so complex and broad in scope, the world view

is not recognized by each individual who lived in it, except in

certain crisis situations that forced people to polarized into their

social groups. Genetic structuralism considers that, artists, or

writers, is one of the members of society who can realized the

world view lived in a particular social order where they belong.

Such things can be seen from their creative power in creating a

major cultural works that can then be said as a social fact.

Thus, the world view is a view with complete coherence, a

coherent and integrated perspective about human, relationships

between human, and the universe as a whole. World view includes

30
all activities, both social activity, verbal, or physical, of certain

social group who also live in a certain social structure.

2.2.1.3.4 Structure of the Literary Works

In the context of genetic structuralism, Goldmann proposed

a different concept of the structure of the literary works

(novels).This concept is totally different with the conception of

literary works that commonly known, such as, Abrams and

Stanton’s concepts. In his essay entitled The Epistemology of

Sociology (1981), Goldmann firstly expressed two opinions about

literary works. The first is that, literature is the expression of

certain world view in an imaginary world. The second, in an

attempt to expressed the world view, the author creates a universe

of characters, objects, and relations imaginarily (Imaginary

Universe). Everything contained in this imaginary universe is then

called semantic field, namely, all mediums which can be seized by

certain meanings that leads to the global semantic system (a world

view expressed by the work). Semantic field, in the several genetic

structuralism studies ever conducted, often showed a tendency to

binary opposition relationship, consisted of the two polars

opposites and mutually negated.

The two opinions showed that Goldmann had the concept of

the structure of literary works that was thematic. What is its main

attention is the imaginary universe which becomes a container

31
where relations between characters, and the characters with the

objects, occurs. All of that, according to Goldmann, is an element

that is integrated, and have unity. Therefore, the structure of

literary works, can be exposed by reveal a coherent structure that

governs the entire imaginary universe in the literary works (Faruk,

2012: 71-76).

Such concept, then, confirmed again by Goldmann, through

his essay entitled Toward A Sociology of The Novel, with expressed

his opinion that a novel is, a depiction of stories about a

problematic hero in his searching for degraded values. Such

opinions makes more clear understanding about the concept of the

structure of literary works repeatedly presented by Goldmann in his

research, by describing narratively the process undertaken by the

characters, in this case the hero, in his relation to other characters

and objects that interact in various semantic fields which usually

shows a tendency to a binary-opposition relationship, contained in

the literary works (Faruk, 2012: 71-76).

32
2.2.1.3.5 Social Structure

An explanation of the social structure, actually, has been

mentioned briefly in the of ‘world view’ sub-chapter. It is carried

out likewise, because the social structure, is one of the concepts

that should be included in order to understand another concept

whole conception of genetic structuralism theory.

The concept of social structure in the whole conception of

genetic structuralism theory, is based on the concept of Marxist

theory. As explained in the previous subsection, Marxism sees the

society as a structure that is formed on the antagonistic conflict

between classes; one social class controls the other. The unity of

the social structure build up on such relationships pattern. By that

way, everything contained in the society is seen to have a

contradictory binary-opposition relationship. A description of the

social structure, fully in line with the societal concept in Marxism

theory.

2.2.1.3.6 The Dialectic of Whole-Parts and Comprehension-Explanation

From the description of the various concepts in the genetic

structuralism theory, which has been described previously, It can

be understood that, this theory, more or less, focusing his attention

toward the coherence level between all variables. In connection

with this, Goldmann introduced a method which he called as the

dialectical method. This concept frankly has commonly known in

33
the intellectual tradition long before Goldmann generation.

However, in the context of genetic structuralism, Goldmann re-

elaborates the concept of the method with new understanding that

he was pinned in it.

Goldmann reveals that the basic principles of the dialectical

method, which makes it connected with the coherence mentioned

earlier, is the understanding of the humanity facts which will

remain abstract if not integrated into a larger ‘wholeness’. From

such ideas, Goldmann developing a pair of concept that he calls

"whole-part" and "comprehension-explanation" (Faruk, 2012: 77).

Goldmann believes that the framework of dialectic method

confirmed the view that there was never any such thing as a valid

starting point. In the context of genetic structuralism, dialectical

method considers as legitimate an elaboration started at any

variable. Therefore each ideas or individual facts can only be

meaningful if placed in the overall context. Instead, a wholeness

can only be understood by knowing the parts which partially make

up the whole. From this analogy now can be understood that the

process of achieving the knowledge with dialectic method can be

thought of as a continuous circular motion so that obscure the

starting point (Faruk, 2012: 77).

In association with various variables in genetic

structuralism theory, the structure of the literary works have a

34
structural homology relations with world view expressed in it.

Therefore, the structure of literary works have coherent parts. So to

make us understand, it is necessary to apply the concept of whole-

parts that have been described previously. Furthermore, the

dialectic relations has not led to the position of of the literary works

as a whole of its parts. Literature as a wholeness, in the view of

Goldmann, also a part of other larger wholes, which is puts the

literature as a part of it.

Up here, simultaneously, can be understood Goldmann’s

concept regarding "comprehension-explanation". What is meant by

the comprehension, is an efforts to describe an object being studied.

While the meaning of the explanation is an attempt to integrate it

into a larger structure. Or in other words, comprehension is an

attempt to identify the parts identity, while the explanation is an

attempt to understand the meaning of that part by integrating it into

a larger whole.

So, that is an overall landscape of theoretical background used in this research.

Just as an overall simplification of the explanation regarding the whole theoretical

background, the writer will delivered a series of theory that will going to be used

here. By choosing Fight Club novel as the research object, then, at the same time, the

novel has been regarded as something that has a structure. As genetic structuralism

delivered, the structure of a literary work has a genesis relations with the world view

35
expressed by the author. The world view itself, established due to the efforts of a

particular social group to create a balance with the conditions or situations where the

social groups are located. Such hypothetical description, will be proven concretely in

the subsequent analysis.

In addition to the explanation above, Goldmann has also been pointed out that

not all of the novel can be studied by using genetic structuralism theory. Those which

can be studied using this theory is only a ‘great literary works’, not a ‘halfway’ or

mediocre one. While what is meant to be a ‘great literary work’ is a literary work that

express a world view in a totality and at the maximum coherence extent (Faruk,

2012b: 32).

Works as mentioned before, according to Swingewood (1972) is a work which

containing a sociological and philosophical meanings. That is, through the

expression regarding to human situation at a particular space and time, the work was

able to move from any huge contradictions of mankind caused by man's relationship

with each other and with the universe. That is how the great literary work can

transcend space and time, as well as its socio-historical limits (Faruk, 2012b: 33).

In the context of this study, the writer assumes that Fight Club novel authored

by Chuck Palahniuk is a literary work that is sufficient to meet the definition asserted

by Swingewood. Although, the certainty of these assumptions can only be seen after

this work has finished been studied.

Although the overall of genetic structuralism theory got a lot of criticism

(which is not presented here), in this study, the writer still referred to pure concept of

genetic structuralism theory initiated and has ever been applied by Goldmann. By not

36
implementing improvements based on criticism aforementioned, the writer do not

intend to neglect such significance. In this study, the application of pure genetic

structuralism as what has been conceptualized by Goldmann was considered

proportionate to the scale of this research.

2.3 Existentialism

Existentialism, is one of the major streams of philosophy that ever colored the

intellectual world in Europe. This philosophical movement, commenced from

criticism toward classic philosophical tradition carried by Socrates and Plato who

believed that there is something in this universe called a 'universal essence' or 'nature'

which applies universally to everything exists. Existentialism denied any such thing.

"Existence precedes essence" (Sartre, 2007: 20). There is no such thing called

‘essence’, or an absolute nature about things exist in this universe before those things

firstly exist. This notion, put the human / individual existential situation as its starting

point. Existentialism put back an individual as a subject on its own existence on

earth. An individual is not 'something' until he makes himself into 'something'. "Man

simply is" (Kaufman, 1956: 291). There is no such things called destiny. Nor is a god

who determines the destiny of an individual. Sartre explains briefly, "... man first

exists: he materializes in the world, encounters himself, and only afterward defines

himself (Sartre, 2007b: 22)."

As a consequence, man is an entity that has an infinite freedom. An individual

is free to do anything he wants, including breaking through the limit of various

values, norms, or morals surrounding him. More radical Sartre said "... man is

Condemned to be free (Sartre, 2007: 29)." Condemned, because the man does not

37
create his own freedom, yet nonetheless free. Regarding that freedom, Webber in his

essays, excerpted Sartre "... an individual's personality or character is never really

settled, they can change their goals and values at any time, and can do so without any

motivation based in their other goals and values ... "(Webber, 2013: 4).

Briefly, that is some key principles expressed by existentialist thinkers

regarding the concept of freedom and existence. Besides the themes that has been

mentioned, there are still some other major themes in the branch of existential

philosophy. Among them is the concept of bad faith, authenticity, existential crisis,

absurdity, and 'etre en soi' and 'etre pour soi'.

There is a very basic principle that distinguishes existentialism into two parts,

namely ‘theistic existentialism’ and ‘atheistic existentialism’. What is described

above, is a short snippet that often been discussed by the atheistic existentialism

thinkers, existentialist thinkers of the twentieth century. There are some names that

should not be missed when talked about atheistic existentialism. They are Jean Paul

Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Karl Jasper, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, and Albert Camus.

Besides these names, there are many other names—in journals or other scientific

texts—that also labeled as an existentialist. It becomes complicated because there is

no standard indicator that determines whether someone is an existentialist or not.

However, for the purposes of this study, the discussion about existentialism only be

centered on two existentialist thinkers of the twentieth century, namely Sartre and

Camus, considering their huge influences in efforts to understand existentialism.

On the other hand, long before entering the era of Sartre and Camus, there are

also some great European thinkers who—in a sorts of scientific publications—

38
labeled as existentialist thinkers. Starting from Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Franz Kafka,

Soren Kierkegaard, Martin Heidegger and others. Except of Friedrich Nietzsche, who

for Sartre, considered as a pioneer of atheistic existentialism. Again, for the scale of

this study, only Kierkegaard, Nietzsche and Heidegger that would be be elaborated

any further. The three thinkers, according to the writer, was sufficiently enough to

provide an overview toward the ideas co-founded in the past, that became the pioneer

of the birth of existentialism philosophy which become more complete in the hands

of Jean-Paul Sartre.

During the 19th century, one of the most influential names in addressing the

themes covered in existentialism is Soren Aabye Kierkegaard (1813-1855), a Danish

philosopher. Kierkegaard presented word ‘existenz’ (in Danish language), in his

works which most of them discussed about human existence. The most important

philosophical work he ever presented is his theory about ‘the process of being an

individual’. Furthermore, Kierkegaard named this concept as the 'stage on life's way'

(Flynn, 2006: 27) or commonly known as ‘the theory of stages.

Kierkegaard concludes an individual’s life journey into three general 'phases';

aesthetic stage, ethical stage, then the religious stage. He stressed his statement on

the word 'stage' because he believes that people can live in one or two stage, then

jump to a higher stage. But there are also people who are at the same stage

throughout his life.

At the aesthetic stage, man are mostly secular. Man who live at this stage,

capturing every opportunity just to enjoy it. The highest happiness for them are

obtained from the beauty. Everything that boring is bad. People who live at this

39
stage, their life are entirely exist in the sensory world and ruled by lust and his own

feelings. Someone who lives in the aesthetic stage easily to feel weary, or empty.

However, Kierkegaard underlined, that the feeling of weariness or emptiness are

positive. He called this state as 'existential situation'. In this situation, the individual

has just opened the possibility to make a leap to a higher stage of life. But, it was not

merely certain. It was returned to the choices and decisions of an individual, whether

he will make the leap or not (Flynn, 2006: 29).

The next stage, the ethics stage, is the stage in which man has achieved stability

in acting based on what they choose and decide. Man has come to the depths where

he has been aware of what the purpose and consequences of the actions he chooses.

In this stage, the important thing is not about how right or wrong our opinions are,

but our decision in having a certain opinion whether it be right or wrong according to

the values accepted in a certain social groups. At this stage, the individual faced a

risk of serious and boring life that potentially directed an individual to a condition in

which he had to make a choice (Flynn, 2006: 31). Many people decide to get back on

aesthetics stage. However, a few of them, choosing to jump higher, it is religious

stage.

People who are on the religious stage, has entered a stage in which their lives

have been led by 'faith'. They had left the aesthetic pleasure or mind commands.

They chose to turn himself in God's arms. Because, according to Kierkegaard, that is

the only way led to forgiveness. However, it should be clarified that any concept of

'religious' were presented by Kierkegaard is a concept included in the Christian

tenets. Nevertheless, the concept of 'religious stage' is also have a possibility to be

relevant with any context of religious life (Flynn, 2006: 34).

40
The above descriptions are just a few descriptions regarding various

philosophical concepts contained in Kierkegaard’s works. His theory about 'stage on

life's way', more or less, have a relevance to many contemporary existentialist

thinkers. In several scientific publications, Kierkegaard even been named as the

father of existentialism of the 19th century.

Elsewhere in the world, there is also a great thinker whose name is often

associated with existential philosophy, Friedrich Nietzche. Philosopher who lived in

the late 19th century, known by his concept of 'Übermensch', in English often

translated as 'Overman', 'Superman' or 'beyond man'. This concept, seems to have a

relevances with the concept of 'individual' in 'being an individual' which meant by

Kierkegaard. Übermensch is the concept of the ideal individual aspired by Nietzsche,

an individual who have been able to bring into reality all of his possibilities

contained within his self. To attain that, therefore, man must liberating himself from

any moral attributions or any absolute truth that reined individual freedom during his

‘process of becoming’. This concept now deliver this German philosopher to come to

the conclusion that 'God is dead', the most famous dictum he conveyed in his

masterpiece, Thus Spake Zarathustra. The main point, is that Nietzsche was one of

the thinkers of the 19th century that put man back in his capacity as a subject for her

own life.

Still in the same land, Germany, also known a philosopher who is considered as

a pioneer who was very close to existential notion of the twentieth century, He is

Martin Heidegger (1889-1976). This German philosopher is actually well known by

his philosophy regarding the concept of 'being', which covered much broader scope

than the main concern of existential philosophy itself. Heidegger distinguishes the

41
term 'being' in its using for man and 'being' for everything outside of man. For

Heidegger, man is an entity who have an ability to realize and reflect his existence.

That is why he named 'being' for human with the term ‘Das sein’ in German. In other

words, man is something that is 'being', but all at once capable of questioning as well

as answering questions about the 'being' itself. While other entities outside of man is,

the entity that cannot understand its existence, does not have the awareness that he is

'exist'. This concept of existence is called by Heidegger with the term ‘Das man’. His

great work widely known in the intellectual world is Being and Nothingness.

Throughout his life, “Heidegger was critical of those who distracted our attention

from gaining access to Being by concentrating on metaphysical questions of essence

and existence, cause and effect, subject and object, and theories of human nature”

(Flynn, 2006: 51).

One of most factors that makes Heidegger associated with the existential

philosophy is when he published a review entitled Letter to Humanism. This review

is a response to the publication of Sartre, entitled Existentialism is a Humanism,

presented in a public lecture in 1946. Heidegger criticizes Sartre that still defines the

human being as 'the animal that thinks' or 'animal endowed with language skills'. For

Heidegger, Sartre failed to escape from the old tradition of metaphysical philosophy.

In the eyes of his adherents, Heidegger was not regarded as one of the

existentialist thinkers at all. But in many contemporary scientific publications, his

concern in an attempt to find the meaning of 'Being', especially with regard to human

existence, considered relevant to the themes in existential philosophy.

42
Entering the twentieth century, the manifesto of existentialism which is

considered as the most intact one, delivered by Jean Paul Sartre, through essay

entitled Existentialism is a Humanism—essay was criticized by Martin Heidegger. In

short, this essay is also intended as a defense of attacks came from the Communists

and the Christian. This essay answering the question "what, then, is 'Existentialism'?"

(Sartre, 1946: 20). And to answer that question, further description presented is an

explanation about the slogan "existence comes before essence." Sartre, representing

‘atheistic existentialism’, explaining that the man is the owner and the determinant of

the essence itself. Man was 'thrown' into the earth, empty and without essence. After

he was at first ‘exist’, then he have an ability to take a journey to form his essence.

As described in his essay "first man exists: he materializes in the world, encounters

himself, and only afterward defines himself" (Sartre, 1946: 22). What is understood

as the essence here, are all formulations and universal qualities that is exist in human

or individual. As for Sartre, none of the individuals who have the same essence or

nature, or in other words, universal. "Man is nothing other than what he makes of

himself" (Sartre, 1946: 22).

It is also likely that later, in terms of existentialism, named as the 'subjectivity'.

Humans are the only entities who moves his existence toward a future, and

consciously doing it. And in doing so, humans have a complete freedom to choose

what kind of individuals he wanted to be. The only thing that limits the freedom of

an individual, for existentialism, is the freedom of other individuals. Of this freedom,

comes the 'responsibility'. The concept of freedom and responsibility are parts of the

central themes in existentialism.

43
With freedom and responsibility surrounding him, an individual will directed to

a situation called anguish, abandonment, and despair. This situation is called

'existential crisis' in existentialism. A situation in which an individual begins to feel

anxious, lonely, and began to question, any available choices and his responsibility as

an individual. Or in general, began to questioning his existence on this earth. One

other existentialist, Albert Camus, in his essay entitled 'Myth of Sisyphus' called this

situation as 'weariness'. Although look like so bleak, this stage is important for an

individual, because this stage is part of what is called "the process of awakening".

The process of revival of an individual to be an 'authentic individual'.

Authenticity is also one of the core concepts in existential philosophy.

Authenticity “means the acceptance of our place in the cosmos, of the fact that we

are each alone, without excuse or reason for being, abandoned to choose our values

without reference to anything that could justify them in the eyes of the universe.

Authenticity means accepting our burden of radical freedom, the fact that values are

not, as Sartre says, inscribed in an ‘intelligible heaven’, and that therefore we must

create them ourselves” (Levy, 2002: 66). However, in his efforts to attain

authenticity, an individual will be experiencing what is called by Camus as, 'bad

faith', or in terms of Sartre, 'mauvaisefoi'. This situation is a situation where an

individual “realizes herself as not being her own body […]contemplates it as though

from above as a passive object to which events can happen but which can neither

provoke them nor avoid them because all its possibilities are outside of it” (Sartre,

1956: 56). At this stage, an individual 'feels' like he has found an authentic life, but

in reality, he was trapped in the so-called 'bad faith'. There are various mediums

which become an escapement from existential crisis experienced by an individual.

44
For example, violence, pretense, creative activity and so forth. But at certain level,

'weariness' will return and harassing individuals, and lead him again to questioned

whether he has become an authentic individual, who has found the meaning of his

existence.

In such journey, an individual is faced the risk of "suicide or recovery", when

he is in the situation that is called as 'nihilism' and the 'absurdity of existence'.

Nihilism is a condition in which an individual finds that he was unable to find the

meaning of his existence on the earth. The situations when individuals find that life is

absurd, void, empty, meaningless, and only run mechanically in a circular pattern

that continuously repeated. This situation that makes an individual is faced a risk of

suicide or recovery. Suicide, as if life has no meaning, then what more reason to live,

and the recovery, when an individual has been able to achieve what is called

authenticity, obtain what is called 'existential enlightenment', and able to live a

meaningful life in front of him.

Indeed, existentialism would be difficult if it is described into a limited set of

definitive sentences. It would be easier and more effective if existentialism is

explained by describing sorts of prominent existentialist and their philosophical

thought that were correcting and completing each other.

In accordance to the 'world view' concept conveyed by Lucien Goldmann,

existentialism, do have a comprehensive view of the individual—as a center point—

and the way he looked at things outside of him. Existentialism also have a concept

regarding to how people should live their life, which called as 'existential journey'.

Therefore, just like when Goldman concluded that tragicvision is the world view

45
expressed in works authored by Racine and Pascal, also when Faruk concluded that

Romanticism is a world view expressed in Indonesian novels, precisely in Balai

Pustaka tradition, so do in this study, Existentialism was considered as a world view

expressed by Fight Club novel, and all at once will become a global semantic system

that frames the whole semantic fields contained in this novel.

2.4 The Authorship of Chuck Palahniuk

Chuck Palahniuk calls his writing style as ‘transgressive fiction’, which more

or less can be interpreted as a work of fiction that violate the law or norms generally

believed. Palahniuk often raised themes about people who are marginalized in social

life, and are often committed acts of self-destruction or other aggressive things. He

concluded that in his works, he uses negative characters, or negative deeds, to

achieve something noble. By doing so, he intends to 'slap' any person who is so tight

in trusting the norms or values which considered 'good', while in the acts they’re

never show such attitude at all.

One of the characteristic of Chuck Palahniuk’s stories is often break

philosophical promptings that have been established and believed since long time

ago, either directly by the Narrator to the reader, or expressed through dialogues

occurred between the existing characters in the story. Stories created by him offer

various strange theories or opinions and sometimes misantropis. Such characteristic

are usually packed into themes such as death, moral, childhood, parenting, sexuality

and deity.

Chuck Palahniuk authorial style is mostly influenced by the minimalist writer,

Tom Spanbauer, who advised Palahniuk's authorial career from 1991 to 1996. Beside

46
this name, there are also other writers such as Amy Hempel, Mark Richard, Denis

Johnson, Thom Jones, Bret Easton Ellis, and also philosophers like Michel Foucault,

and Albert Camus. His minimalist style, often materialized with the use of a limited

vocabulary and short sentences. In an interview2, Chuck Palahniuk remarked, he got

his authorial style by imitating the way of most people when telling a story in daily

life. Chuck Palahniuk is more frequently used verbs in sentences rather than using

adjectives. Besides that, he also frequently used 'repetition' in a few specific lines in

the whole of his work.

Chuck Palahniuk, in his works, often begin the story with the final piece of the

whole story, in which the protagonist of the story recounts a series of story plots and

directing the story to the point where the narration in the book begins.

While not writing fictions, Palahniuk usually write short non-fiction works. In

addition to working as a freelance journalist, he also writes essays and notes reports

about various things. He also sometimes include the results of his non-fiction writing

in his works of fiction to make the reader understand more about his works.

All of a description of the authorship of Chuck Palahniuk above will be

accomplished after reviewing a brief biography about his life which will be presented

at the discussion after this.

2.4.1 Biography

Charles Michael Palahniuk, born in Pasco, Washington, on February

21th, 1962. During his childhood, he lives with his parents. Fred Palahniuk, his

father and Carol, his mother. His father was a railroad worker, his mother
2
An interview documented in www.believermag.com

47
worked as an office manager at the nuclear power plants company. Chuck

Palahniuk childhood traversed fairly unlike most other children. He live and

grow in his family’s mobile home in Burbank, Washington. Nonetheless,

Chuck Palahniuk, has already shown his talent in writing since he was still a

very young child. While sitting in the fifth grade of elementary school, Chuck

Palahniuk once wrote a poem. The poem was posted in Palahniuk's Short

biography on his official website3.

In an interview4 Chuck Palahniuk told the audience that, since his

childhood, he grown up under a hard parental control. His father always

stressed an advice which reads; “if you do something bad, then you should be

prepared to accept the return”. One time his father even threatened to cut his

fingers with an ax, over a bad thing he did. Since then Palahniuk actually

realized that, no one else would be responsible for the life that he lived except

himself.

Some literature has mentioned about the tragic story behind

Palahniuk’s predecessor family. When his father, Fred Palahniuk, was three

years old, his paternal grandparents killed his wife. On that fateful day, when

the grandfather was overcome with anger, he then look for the next victim, his

own son, Chuck Palahniuk’s father. But the boy was hiding under the bed.

And because he was unable to find the boy, Palahniuk’s grandfather shot

himself using the same shotgun he used to kill his wife. Some of the family

members remarked that attitude is a madness. However, several other family

3
Biographical notes in Palahniuk’s official website.
4
An interview ini Believermag.com

48
members said it was not madness. This tragic story is described by Chuck

Palahniuk in his work, Stranger than Fiction.

As Palahniuk entered the age of 14, when entering the first year at

Columbia High School (CHS) in Burbank, his parents was divorced. He and

his siblings then nursed by her mother's parents and stay on a farm in the

eastern Washington. But it does not affects the brilliance of Chuck Palahniuk

as a student. In his records when he was a student at CHS, written that he was

active in various fields, such as basketball, drama, college magazine

publishing, journalism class, and also involved in the North West Writer's

Conference, representing his school. During a student at CHS he was also

known as a witty child and a book maniac. In 1980 when he entered the age of

18, he graduated from CHS with the "Funniest Student" award during his

learning process there.

In the 1980s, after graduating from CHS, Palahniuk continue his

studies to the University of Oregon. This is the most influential period for the

development of his quality in the field of authorship. During the college years,

he honed his ability to write a lot, but he never showed any writings that he

made to others. During college years he also took an intern at National Public

Radio Station. He then graduated with a B.A. degree in the field of Journalism

in 1986.

After bringing his degree in around 1986, Palahniuk moved to

Portland, Oregon. For some time he worked as a writer for a newspaper office

there. Moreover, Chuck Palahniuk also worked as a mechanic in a diesel

49
engine manufacturing company which produce diesel truck. At the company,

he also worked as a manual ‘how to fix the truck’ writer's. He worked there for

13 years. Besides work for life, he also brings his tenure as an opportunity to

directly observe the behavior of the people surrounding him as blue-collar

workers. On the sidelines of his work he had started to write little by little

works of fiction which later became Invisible Monsters.

While working at the manufacturing company, Palahniuk once

experienced an actual fight. In a camp where he was yelling at neighbors

fellow visitors for ringing music at high volume at two o'clock in the morning.

Shouts turned punches. From there, his face bruised and swollen for about a

week. When he returned to work, he felt people did not dare look into his eyes.

He thinks that these people might assume that the bruises on her face was a

sign that he could be mad any times, out of control.

Outside of job previously mentioned, Chuck Palahniuk has also been

involved as a volunteer in a homeless people shelter. Moreover, he also

became a volunteer at the hospice. In the social activities of the latter, he

worked as an introduction and provide transportation for the sick to travel to

the Support Group meeting.

During the transition period, Chuck Palahniuk also join a community

called Cacophony Society5. He was a permanent participants in this

community, and regularly follow the activities organized by this community.

5
Biographical notes in Palahniuk’s official website

50
Life and work experiences he went through, makes him more obsessed

with observing the daily behavior of people surrounding him. His reading

habit which was also been long time did not stop, make him decided to try to

write a work of fiction. He did the attempt to realize his decision by following

a fictional writing workshop held by Tom Spanbauer, author who was became

a nominator of Pulitzer-Prize award. This is where the change in the direction

of Chuck Palahniuk's life in entering the world of fictional authorship.

His astounding ideas, made Tom Spanbauer give special attention to

Chuck Palahniuk. Finally, after going through the process of intensive

mentoring, Chuck Palahniuk completed his first novel, Invisible Monsters.

Then, after receiving the support from some of the people close with him, he

tried to send the manuscript to a number of editors.

Things went unexpected. The first work of Chuck Palahniuk got a bad

response from the many editors of publishing office. According to them, the

work of Palahniuk is too rough, violated ethical norms, and too much uncover

a taboo. Upset with such responses, Chuck Palahniuk then revised some parts

of his work. This time he makes a work that much more 'loud' than the earlier

work. He intended to disturb the editors who responded his work. Thus was

the born of Fight Club.

After a few editors read his work, some publishing companies are not

able to resist the urge to immediately buy that work. In 1996's Fight Club is

launched into the market. This is the first work of Chuck Palahniuk distributed

to the audience. This work also asserted his capacity as a writer, to then be

51
legitimated to continue to voiced his opinions through his works that followed

shortly after Fight Club was launched.

His first works were increasingly flying his flag after the novel was

adapted into a film by David Fincher, a director of Hollywood. Since that time

he began to believe that he will lived his next life as a writer.

As an author, Chuck Palahniuk confessed that he was influenced by

Amy Hempel, Gordon Lish, Ira Levin, Soren Kierkegaard, Jean Paul Sartre,

Albert Camus, and Michele Foucault.6

In the midst of his successful achievement, Chuck Palahniuk, again,

confronted with family problems that generated tremor. After his father, Fred

Palahniuk, divorced Carol Adele, his mother, Fred met with a model named

Donna Fontaine. Furthermore, Fred made a relationship with Donna. For

Palahniuk, they both were a great couple, he had never seen his father so

happy before. But unluckily, Donna, infact had a former lover, Dale

Shackelford, who was in prison for allegedly committing acts of violence to

Donna. Her ex-boyfriend in fact still hold a grudge on Donna.

When Shackelford is currently out of prison, he followed Fred and

Donna while returning home from the trip date. Shackelford kill them both

with a shotgun. Then, in an effort to make it like an accident, Shackelford

dragged the bodies into the house and then burned it down. But the effort was

read by the police. In 2001 Shackelford considered guilty. And while

attending the trial, Chuck Palahniuk had given the right to determine whether

6
An interview documented in alternet.org

52
the murder will be executed or not. This story is in use as a raw material for

the next book of Chuck Palahniuk, Lullaby.

At the age of 52, he traveled back to his village in Burbank,

Washington. There, he met his sister, Heidi Weeden. In that region, there is a

street named Paper Street, in Richland. Which became the inspiration for a

place setting in Fight Club novel.

Chuck Palahniuk's work cannot be separated from his life’s journey.

Many tragedies he experienced often became a material for his work, both as a

fictional and non-fictional works.

Besides on what has appeared in the works he wrote, both in fiction

and true story, no one ever knew about how Palahniuk passed his life during

his childhood and adolescence.

Today, Palahniuk lives on a farm in Portland, Oregon. He spends much

of his time at his home in the Columbia Gorge with hishusband, Michael.

They have been together for more than two decades. He sosializes as much as

possible, opening his home to friends and family. He likes to tend to his

chickens when he is not writing, which is not very often. His novels keep him

busy, taking anywhere from six weeks to four months to complete. When he is

not crafting his fiction, he enjoys writing articles and essays to express his

strongly held and deeply considered views. He is a writer's writer and he will

do it until the day he dies.

53
2.4.2 Works

Fiction

 Fight Club (1996)

 Survivor (1999)

 Invisible Monsters (1999)

 Choke (2001)

 Lullaby (2002)

 Diary (2003)

 Haunted (2005)

 Rant (2007)

 Snuff (2008)

 Pygmy (2009)

 Tell-All (2010)

 Damned (2011)

 Invisible Monsters Remix (2012)

 Doomed (2013)

 Beautiful You (2014)

 Make Something Up (2015) (Coming soon)

 Fight Club 2 (2015) (Coming soon)

Short Fiction

 "Negative Reinforcement" in Modern Short Stories (1990)

54
 "The Love Theme of Sybil and William" in Modern Short Stories

(1990)

 "Insiders" in Best Life (2007)

 "Cold Calling" unpublished (2007)

 "Love Nest" unpublished (2007)

 "Mister Elegant" in VICE Magazine (2007)

 "Fetch" in Dark Delicacies III (2009)

 "Loser" in Stories (2010)

 "Knock, Knock" in Playboy (2010)

 "Romance" in Playboy (2011)

 "Phoenix" (2013)

 "Cannibal" in Playboy (2013)

 "Zombie" in Playboy (2013)

Non-Fiction

 Fugitives and Refugees: A Walk in Portland, Oregon (2003)

 Stranger than Fiction: True Stories (2004)

 You Do Not Talk About Fight Club: I Am Jack's Completely

Unauthorized Essay Collection (2008) (introduction)

55
CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHOD

In conducting this research, obviously, a combination of an integrated method

which can guide the flow of this research regularly, is required. Based on the

planning, and appropriate with common scientific principles admissed nowadays. In

this chapter, the writer would explain about the method that is used in analyzing

Fight Club novel. This method includes method of collecting data, method of

analyzing data, and research procedure.

3.1 Method on Collecting Data

Collecting data in this study refers to the variables specified in the ‘statement

of the problems’ of this research, namely the structure of the literary work, world

view, and social genesis including the social structure of American society, and

social groups represented by the author (collective subject). For the first variable, the

data which was collected derived from the novel that is being studied. The data

mentioned above obtained by using close reading method on the novel that is being

studied, which based on the general principles of the theoretical concepts underlying

this study. For the second variable, world view, the data obtained by doing library

research method, an in-depth reading on various philosophical or ideological texts

that were considered relevant to this study. Furthermore, for the third variable,

social genesis, the data obtained by the same method, the library research. The data

for this variable obtained from books, journals, and writings on the internet which is

considered feasible and reliable to be used as reference. In addition, to obtain data

which pertinent to the author, the writer also reviewed references on various Internet

56
sites that published author’s interview documentation either in the form of audio,

video, or written documents. Although the source of the data as such is still very

rarely used in scientific research, here, writer assume that all of these sources can

basically be used as a valid reference. This assumption can be empowered the

argument that the author’s interview data in the form of audio-video is the data that

are less likely to be engineered than the references in the notes form as the

documentation of author interview.

In addition, the writer also uses a variety of semantic dictionary to tracking the

meaning of sorts of difficult words found in the references text, both in the novel and

in various reading texts support. The entire data sources mentioned above, at the end

of this research report, will be included in the bibliography section

3.1 Method on Analyzing Data

The data analysis in this study was conducted using the dialectical method. The

basic principle of this method is some part or structure would be abstract if it’s not

integrated with other larger elements or structure. This principle, in genetic

structuralism known as a whole-part concept. In other words, every fact is only

meaningful when it is placed into a certain totality, and a totality can only be

understood by knowing each facts that were partially construct the totality.

Therefore, according to this theory perspective, in the literary research, there is

no absolute starting point is valid. This thought is not admitted a linear pattern, but

rather believe in circular patterns which did not questioned the starting point. In its

application to the literary study, researchers can begin their research based on the

most dominant empirical data that is available.

57
In this study, the writer first started the analysis on the structure of Fight Club

novel, because, the most complete initial data held by the writer is the data which

related to this variable, that is, the novel itself. Refers to Goldmann’s theoretical

concept which remarked that the variable with direct homology relation to the

structure of literary work is world view, then, the next variable that would be

described is regarding to world view. As what has been said before, the data of this

variable derived from any ideological and philosophical texts. So then, the

elucidations in this section, will shows the dialectical relations between the structure

of literary works and any conception derived from ideological and philosophical

resources. Sorts of elements which has shown in the literary works (the characters,

depiction of objects, the perception to anything) would be connected to the concepts

based on certain ideological and philosophical view. Therefore, the tendency to

certain world view which manifested in the literary work will now appear. After

describing the variables aforementioned, the writer will stepped to the next larger

variable which structurized the two previous variable, that is, the social genesis

including social structure, and social group represented by the author.

Overall, the analysis using this dialectic method, aiming to seek the maximum

degree of coherence between all the variables mentioned previously.

3.2 Research Procedure

To maintain consistency and continuity of this study, the writer compiled a

series of procedures served to keep the research process remains on track. A series of

procedures which are intended among others:

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First of all, the writer committed an in-depth reading of Fight Club novel

several times. From there, the writer subtly started to capture some problems

contained in Chuck Palahniuk’s novel.

Furthermore, the writer enters the initial phase of data collection, by noting any

findings from Fight Club novel into a data card. From the data that has been

obtained, the writer limit the scope of the issues which going to be analyzed and then

summarize them into some research questions.

At this point, the writer determined genetic structuralism theory as the most

possible theoretical concept which appropriate to be used to analyze Fight Club

novel. Thus, the next stage is the analysis process based on the basic principles of the

theory mentioned. The first is to analyze the structure and relations between the parts

within Fight Club novel. From the analysis, it has been able to conclude the world

view that is expressed in this work. Therefore, in the second stage, the writer goes on

to describe in detail, a world view that was expressed by the author through this

work. The third, to complete the dialectical process of all variables that are

recognized by genetic structuralism theory, the writer continued to analyze the social

genesis that is the background of Chuck Palahniuk's life, and then his position as an

author in a particular social group or social class. The three of this process is lay

down on the collected data as described in the previous section.

Lastly, the writer committed a conclusion on the results of the analysis. In

accordance with the principle of genetic structuralism, the main target of the literary

research is to achieve the maximum degree of coherence between all the variables

that have been analyzed. After all, the writer completed the overall results of research

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into the form of an intact thesis for later submitted as a condition to sit final

examinations.

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CHAPTER IV

ANALYSIS

As mentioned in the previous section, this study uses the dialectical method.

Thus, the analysis can begins at any variables, whether from the world view, the

structure of literary works, or can also be started from the analysis of the social

genesis of the work. In the ‘previous study’ section, has been presented a study

conducted by Faruk who began his analysis with an explanation of the world view.

Various conceptions described in the section, then served as a model of global

semantics (applicable in the entire ongoing study) which become a reference to

explain the structures of literary works. Goldmann in research to the works of Pascal

and Racine also started his research report with the same arrangement, by first

explore the world views of the author.

Fight Club novel analysis in this study conducted with different systematics.

Due to the limitations of the data in determining or concluding the world view of the

author, so this research does not begin with explanation of the world view.

Nevertheless, it does not mean that the explanation of the other variables do not have

a global semantic models in the whole imaginary universe of the works that has been

studied. The Significant structure of the novel, predicted—based assumption that the

Fight Club novel is one of a great literary works that has conditioned by

Goldmann—still boils down to a certain world view, but, it will be concluded and

then re-elaborated dialectically after analyzing its structure.

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By considering the availability of the data, the analysis of Fight Club novel

starts by describing its structure with, of course, refers to the concept of the

structure of the literary work proposed by Lucien Goldmann. Then, proceed by

describing the world view expressed by the novel. Such sequences is determined

based on Goldmann’s theory that the variables which have a direct homology

relations with the structure of the literary works is none other than the world view

itself. After that, then we can move to analyze the social genesis of this novel, as a

larger structure that drives the structuration process of the world view and the

structure of literary works. A more detailed explanation of the whole stages

mentioned above will be described hereinafter.

4.1 Structure of Fight Club novel

By relying on Goldmann’s concept on the structure of the literary work, a

discussion about the structure of Fight Club novel divided into two phases. The first

is, a discussion of the aspects of the ‘spatial structure’, the second, a discussion of the

aspects of the ‘plot’. Both aspect that will going to be discussed, in the end, will

show the semantic system / semantic model underlying this novel. This semantic

system, none other than the world view itself.

The space structure aspects of literary work, consist of ‘semantic fields’ which

framed by a certain semantic system (which will be discussed later). In this section is

the writer will describe objectively the semantic fields contained in Fight Club novel.

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In many studies that have been conducted before, the semantic fields that build

the spatial structure of literary works tend to be ‘oppositional’, and framed by a

certain semantic system which is a manifestation of a particular world view. This

sorts of semantic fields are also called the ‘imaginary universe’ where the

‘problematic hero’ undertaken his journey. In this Fight Club novel, the problematic

hero is the Narrator, whose name was unknown until the story ends. The Narrator in

his journey, and its relation to his circumstances (the whole imaginary universe in the

literary works), by itself, build a plot aspect of Fight Club novel. That is why the two

aspects mentioned in the beginning is going to be discussed in this section.

Although the discussion on the structure of Fight Club novel at this stage

assumed that it has not been framed by any global semantic system, or in other

words, a world view, semantic fields that is encountered in this novel have shown a

certain models. After conducting in-depth and intensive reading, the writer found that

the semantic field contained in this novel is not a binary opposition or horizontally

opposed each other. Semantic fields contained in this novel depicts the conditions

and circumstances surrounding the life of the Narrator, and featured in multiple

levels. Then, from each of the levels mentioned, the Narrator tried to make a

breakthrough to get out of it. Out of the previous level, Narrator then confronted

again with semantic fields that show the conditions and situations at different levels.

Then the Narrator try again to make a breakthrough, and, again, confronted with the

conditions and circumstances at different level. That is what was intended as

‘semantic fields surrounding the life of the Narrator in several levels’. Thus, the

spatial structure of this novel will also be presented in multiple level pattern.

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First, the author will present a series of semantic fields that depicts the

conditions and circumstances surrounding the early life of the Narrator. These

semantic fields is not an opposite relation but shown the equivalency of one and

another in showing an invariant meaning mentioned above, namely, ‘the conditions

and circumstances surrounding the early life of the Narrator’. That semantic fields

mentioned, among others, work, office, boss, condominiums, IKEA catalogs,

consumer culture.

The first semantic field that is going to be discussed is work. In this novel, the

work is described as one of the semantic field that causes the Narrator alienated from

his surroundings. The whole time he had, he spent to working. "We all work so hard

all the time" (20). From the beginning of the story, the Narrator is dipped into this

semantic field. He is described as a "recall campaign coordinator" (37) in a company.

Doing relentless travel to visit the areas where many car accidents happened (36).

The Narrator hates his job, and always wished he could quit his job (180). This

semantic field, clearly describes the conditions and the initial situation experienced

by the Narrator. And, he wants to get out of it.

The next semantic field is office. This semantic field is equivalent to the

previous semantic field, work. The office is a place where the semantic field work

occurred. The office also described as a place where the Narrator forced to be

confined by the existing rules. The place where the Narrator must appear with an

interesting appearance in which totally he doesn’t wanted to (78). In the office, he

never made any conversation with other employees.

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Next, the semantic field Boss. This semantic field, also equivalent to the

previous semantic field, and concurrently describe an invariant meaning, that is, the

initial conditions of the Narrator. Semantic field Boss in the novel is described as a

semantic field which helped exacerbate the conditions experienced by the Narrator.

If the semantic field work and office suppresses the Narrator’s life passively, then the

semantic field Boss presented as a factor that actively suppresses the life of the

Narrator. This semantic field is personified as a character Narrator's Boss. The

Narrator hates his boss. The boss often asks the Narrator to attend meetings while she

went on vacation (36, 171). This semantic field is present in varying degrees of

conditions and circumstances surrounding the Narrator’s life. With the same

function, namely, actively suppresses the Narrator’s initial life.

Outside the three semantic fields above, there are also semantic field

condominium. "Home was a condominium on the Fifteenth floor of a high-rise, (...)"

(49). There he was, when he is out of the struggle with the three semantic field

described before. This semantic field is also equivalent to semantic field consumptive

culture. All the money he got from his work was spent to consumptive habit that

surrounds his life. In semantic field condominium, the narrator accommodate all the

things he bought.

His condominium filled with variety of furniture. The Narrator knows all the

details of what was in his condominium very well. Seemingly, he spent his whole life

just to collect all the luxurious furnishings items displayed in the catalogs.

The next semantic field is the IKEA catalog. IKEA is a well-known furniture

brands in the United States. IKEA catalog is being equivalent to semantic field

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consumer culture. This semantic field becomes a kind of chain which mediates the

Narrator with consumptive culture. Thus, the three semantic field is also equivalent

to one another in describing the conditions and circumstances surrounding the early

life of the Narrator outside the third semantic field first described.

All the semantic fields that has been described above, be equivalent in one

characteristic, that is, plunging the Narrator into a state of alienation. Alienated by

the work and by the desire to consume a wide variety of commodities (54) and

causes the Narrator lives become empty and meaningless. In the end, all this

semantic fields concurrently describe the conditions and circumstances surrounding

the early life of the Narrator.

Semantic field that will be discussed next is Insomnia. This semantic field,

manifests into the story as a kind of disease suffered by the Narrator. Acute insomnia

suffered by the Narrator, makes him difficult to sleep for couple weeks, so he feels

difficult to discern what is real and what is unreal. Insomnia suffered by the Narrator

makes "everything Become an out-of-body experience" (12). Insomnia exacerbate

alienation he experienced, "Everything is so far away, a copy of a copy of a copy"

and "you cannot touch anything and nothing can touch you" (15). The disease then

forces the Narrator to immediately consult a doctor for his illness. Then, he met a

doctor who said that "Insomnia is just a symptom of something larger. Find out

what's actually wrong (12). "

In this novel, insomnia shown as a semantic field which interrupt the Narrator

from the conditions and circumstances surrounding his early life. The Narrator

insistence to the doctor to immediately gave him drugs, "I just wanted to sleep" (21),

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describe the urgency to get out of his early life conditions and circumstances that

have been described by previous semantic fields. His early life is indicated by

"Something larger" (9-10) statement.

Although it has never been expressed in various theoretical description of the

genetic structuralism, in this study, the writer call the semantic field insomnia as

"trans-semantic field", which took position among a series of semantic fields that

describe the level of the conditions and circumstances surrounding the life of the

Narrator. Semantic field insomnia repeatedly appear in this novel. This indicates that,

when the Narrator is in one condition and situation, and his insomnia comes back, it

means that the Narrator was not satisfied with the conditions and circumstances

surrounding, and wanted to get out of it.

The next semantic field is the Support Group. Support groups are a kind of

association of people who have the same illness. Deadly diseases. So that the sufferer

has no more hope for living (21). Support group meetings are held on certain day and

place. During the meeting, people are encouraging each other, gives motivate, share

the suffering, in order to reduce the burden they beared.

There are various kind of support groups presented in this novel, among others,

groups of patients with testicular cancer, groups of patients with leukemia, a group of

patients with blood cancer, and groups of patients with a brain parasite (20). Support

groups are a manifestation of ‘the condition without hope’, unreality, a denial to

suffers, it is also a way to get out of despair.

Semantic field support group presented as an answer to the Narrator’s

restlessness caused by the semantic field that previously described. In other words,

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this semantic field is an escapement for the Narrator. Semantic field support group

described as a semantic field that able to answer the initial conditions of the

Narrator’s life. This novel told that, after attending support group meetings, the

Narrator began to feels his life back. The Narrator free from insomnia he has suffered

(25-26).

Before discussing further semantic field, the writer needs to emphasize that

every level of conditions and situations that surrounds the Narrator’s life which

described by certain semantic fields, is an accumulation with previous levels. It

doesn’t means that the Narrator’s has left the conditions and situations described

previously. The semantic fields came latter, is in addition to the previous semantic

fields. This indicates that the complexity of the Narrator's life has increased.

The semantic field support group, is also equivalent with other small semantic

fields such as hugs, tears, chronic diseases, meditation, and the ground floor of the

church. The semantic field hugs and tears, present in the excerpt below.

“This should be my favorite part, being held and crying with Big Bob without
hope.” (20).

The two of those semantic fields is equivalent, and is described as a type of

therapy that can give the sensation of calm for the members of the support group.

The Narrator himself can sleep soundly after he cried while attending support group

meetings (20).

Semantic field chronic disease, which can also be said as a condition for

entering the semantic field support group, describes worse situation and hopeless.

Chronic diseases selected in this novel is a kind of disease that is much less likely to

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be cured. Thus, the people who were present in this semantic field support group can

be said as the people who are desperate and without hope.

The next semantic field, meditation, is a semantic field that has been presented

as a kind of sedative for people with chronic diseases. So that these people can

sincerely live the rest of his hopeless life (22-23). Another semantic field that is also

equivalent to previous semantic fields is the ground floor of the church as a venue for

all the semantic fields above. All of this semantic fields, is equivalent to describe the

hopeless, worse, and all the bottom of bad conditions.

Besides the semantic fields manifested in the material form, there is also a

semantic field personified in the figure form. It is Bob, a successful bodybuilder,

who reached the peak of his career, but he felt "All my life, (…) why I do anything, I

do not know" (19). Bob figures is a semantic field that reflects the conditions

experienced by the Narrator. The presence of Bob characters in the story, made the

Narrator can actually simulate the suffering and grief experienced by other people in

the support group.

Semantic field that has been presented at this stage, showed the same pattern

with the previous level, which describe the conditions and circumstances surrounding

the life of the Narrator, but this time, on a more complex extent. At this stage, the

conditions and situation of the Narrator’s life described as a passive conditions, gave

up, pessimistic, full of lies and pretense.

Semantic fields that has just been mentioned, haven’t made the Narrator

succeed to get out of the initial conditions, indeed adds a new conditions and

situations faced by the Narrator. With the presence of semantic field support group,

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along with other semantic fields that is equivalent, making the narrator merely

'feeling' that he had found the conditions and situations that he wanted to.

The next semantic field is a semantic field that has a same function with

semantic field insomnia which were presented at the beginning. This semantic field,

personified in the figure of Marla Singer. Marla Singer was present as an interruption

to the life lived by the Narrator. Marla Singer is a female figure who also attended

the support group. However, he did not suffer at all, like the other participants of the

support group. The presence of Marla Singer at this stage, interrupting the Narrator

that he himself also an impostor, fake, do not suffer from chronic diseases at all. His

presence in the support group is just to simulate the suffering experienced by other

participants in the support group. Thus "(...) Marla's lie Reflects my lie, and all I can

see are lies" (27). Therefore, the Narrator cannot cry in support group meetings were

also attended by Marla Singer. The Narrator, again, experienced insomnia. As

mentioned earlier, insomnia is just an indication of "something larger".

The presence of this semantic field in it’s addition with the re-presence of

semantic field Insomnia, then insist the Narrator to get out of the conditions and

situations—which is now at the different level—faced by him. If at the previous

level, the semantic field support group is an escapement of the Narrator, furthermore,

the semantic field he thought could take him out of the conditions and situations he

faced was the presence of the semantic field fight club.

Semantic field fight club, as well as the semantic field support group, is an

escapement from the conditions and circumstances of life experienced by the

Narrator. In other words, fight club is the hyper-masculine version of the support

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group. Fight club is also a same association as support group. However, in Fight

Club, people gather to engage in a one on one fight. Those who attend fight club is

male.

Intended as an additional explanation, the semantic field fight club presents

after Tyler Durden, one of a character in this novel, also present in the story. Tyler

Durden is an illusion created by the Narrator amidst the conditions of life he

experienced. Tyler Durden exists as a kind of savior for the Narrator. Tyler Durden is

a character who mediates the presence of the semantic field fight club. Meaning,

fight club first occurs between the Narrator and Tyler Durden. After their first fight,

one by one member of fight club began to grow.

Semantic field fight club, at this stage, for the Narrator, is the answer of the

conditions and situations of life he experienced. The Narrator described that “You

aren't alive anywhere like you're alive at Fight Club” (64). There are many

impressions described by the Narrator after attending fight club. His life, and how he

perceives his life, completely changed.

At this stage, the semantic fields which previously described the life of the

Narrator, one by one began to disappear, and be replaced by a new semantic fields.

For instance, the semantic field condominiums, which removed by an explosion.

Semantic field IKEA catalog, as well as consumptive culture has also been disappear

as the presence of the semantic field fight club. The point is, at this stage, the

Narrator ‘felt’ that he had found what he was looking for in response to the

emptiness of life which he experienced.

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Other small semantic fields which is also equivalent to the semantic field fight

club is, fists, screams, bar basement, Paper Street house, old magazines.

Semantic field fists and screams, is a depiction of a condition that occurs in

fight club. If in a support group people hugging and crying each other, then in fight

club men hitting and screaming each other. This actions, which tend to portray

violence, is not a violence with 'evil' meaning. People came to fight club because

they are too afraid to fight. The fight in fight club is not a win or lose fight, but rather

to explore the authenticity of self which merely repressed.

The next semantic field is the bar basement. This semantic field is described as

a place where the Narrator along with all members of fight club gathered and fight.

The next semantic field is the Paper Street house. This semantic field shows

the conditions of the Narrator's life that has changed drastically. If previously the

Narrator lives in a condominium that is filled with luxury stuff, then the Paper Street

house is the opposite. At Paper Street house, there is no furniture. In addition, there

are no items that are still functioning normally. The roof leaked, the toilets were

dirty, even rusty nails scattered everywhere.

Another semantic field which is equivalent to the semantic field above is, old

magazines. This old magazines, is available in Paper Street house. If previously,

while in the condominium, the Narrator spends time with reading the IKEA catalog,

at the Paper Street house the Narrator spends time by reading this old magazines.

At this stage, all the semantic fields that has been described, seems depict an

identical conditions and circumstances. These conditions tend to be the opposite of

what was described by semantic fields at previous levels. The conditions and the life

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of the Narrator at this level, reflecting one sentence uttered by Tyler “It's only after

you've lost everything, (…) that you're free to do anything" (82). This semantic field

indicates the more optimistic conditions, aggressive, full of violence, free, and tend

to be cynical (150).

The next semantic field is cynical trait who personified into a scene in which

the Narrator was in a fight, beating out a character named Angel's Face. Angel’s face

character presented as a representation of beauty. Cynical trait of the Narrator is

revealed from the quote "(...) and I was in a mood to destroy something beautiful”

(150). Also in the quote "I wanted to destroy everything beautiful I'd never have.

Burn the Amazon rain forests. Pump chlorofluorocarbons straight up to gobble the

ozone. Open the dump valves on supertankers and uncap offshore oil wells. I wanted

to kill all the fish I couldn't afford to eat, and smother the French beaches I'd never

see” (151).

This semantic field, then, perform the same function as insomnia, and Marla

Singer. The cynical trait interrupting the Narrator in the conditions and situations

which he thought as the conditions and situations he was looking for. This semantic

field then push again the narrator to move on to the next level. This movement is

shown by the quote “Tyler told me later that he'd never seen me destroy something

so completely. That night, Tyler knew he had to take Fight Club up a notch or shut it

down” (151).

The next semantic field is Project Mayhem. Semantic field Project Mayhem, is

the answer to the condition and life of the Narrator, at the more complex levels. As

mentioned before, fight club which it’s portion begin to increase, make Tyler

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Durden—through the body of the narrator of course—thinking about developing

fight club to the greater level. Project Mayhem is a kind of an organized association

(146). Project Mayhem is no longer just an association with one on one fight to each

member, but began to perform some kind of subversive movements.

Project Mayhem is divided into several commissions. Arson Committee,

Assault Committee, Mischief Committee, and Misinformation Committee (145-146),

and consisted of people who fight well in fight club (224). Each of these

commissions perform their respective duties called "homework" (145). Project

Mayhem aims to disenchant people that they have the ability to control history (150).

To commemorate the people how much potential he has (146). Project Mayhem

becomes a kind of peak manifestation of the Narrator’s searching on a meaningful

life.

Besides semantic field Project Mayhem, there are also small semantic fields

equivalent with Project Mayhem, such as, fights, terror, Paper Street Soap Company,

history, museums, explosion, rooftop.

Semantic field fights, at Project Mayhem is not like in fight club. This semantic

field, is a kind of unique ways in Project Mayhem in demonstrating to people the

capabilities exist within himself. Each member of Project Mayhem going out into the

public area and make any disturbance to other people, they sparked a fight, but they

must be defeated in that fight. It also aims to introduce people how does it feels to be

a winner (146).

Another semantic field that is equivalent to portray the Narrator's life at this

level is terror. The Narrator is also part of Project Mayhem, often assigned to

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conduct terror to certain people. This semantic field personified into a scene where

Tyler or Narrator himself, terrorizing a shopkeeper at the Corner Mart named

Raymond Hessel to the most terrible fear. Tyler called it: ‘one second before death

experience’. But terror here is a tool used to remove someone from artificial life,

such as the life Raymond Hessel lived. Hessel is actually a students who have a

dreams to become a veterinarian. Through the terror Tyler waking up Hessel from

artificiality, then made him promises to return to the pursuit of life he really wanted

to (189-195).

The next semantic field is the Paper Street Soap Company (103). This semantic

field is the replacement of semantic field work. Paper Street Soap Company is a

soap-making place which is builtin semantic field Paper Street house. All members

of Project Mayhem live and doing their duties in that house. This semantic field is

the satire version to criticize the consumerist life style in America. The soap they

made is a soap made from the best fats belongs to the most beautiful people in the

United States. Then processed back into a soap and then sold to people with

expensive price (188).

The next semantic field is history. History here is seen as something that

confining the Narrator. Human beings are always controlled by the history, therefore,

history is one thing that Project Mayhem intend to destroy. This semantic field, then,

equivalent with national museum. National museum is a symbol of history.

Therefore, Tyler, or actually the Narrator himself, placed the museum as the main

target of Project Mayhem. It then makes semantic field explosion also equivalent to

the previous semantic field. Project Mayhem are about to blow up the high-rise

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buildings located around the museum, with the main purpose, is to make the building

fell to the museum.

The next semantic field is the rooftop. This semantic field, is an opposite of

semantic field bar basement, or semantic field the ground floor of the church. The

rooftop in this novel is the place where the Narrator with the illusion of Tyler Durden

character watching the destroying process conducted by Project Mayhem. The

rooftop also shows that the Narrator has reached a high level in life.

All semantic field mentioned above, equivalent by the same function, that is,

describing the situations and the conditions experienced by the Narrator at the most

complex level contained in this novel. The situations and conditions, described as a

condition that tends to be fascistic, destructive, offensive, and refusal to the history.

The next semantic field, which again performs the same function with,

Insomnia, Marla Singer, and Cynical trait, is Consciousness. At this stage, what was

interrupted the Narrator from the conditions and situations he experienced is his own

consciousness on the illusion of Tyler Durden personality contained in his self. Thus,

the Narrator pushed again to get out of the conditions and situations he faced.

Semantic field consciousness manifested in a scene in the novel in which the

Narrator—which is also the same body with Tyler Durden, try to thwart Project

Mayhem which he created himself when his body is controlled by the personality of

Tyler Durden. The Narrator pointed the gun into his mouth, pulled the trigger, then

causes sores that form a jagged smile from ear to mouth (257). He did that as an

attempts to eliminate the 'personality of Tyler Durden' from his mind which had

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ruled much part of his mind. Thus, the Narrator now arrived at his final conditions

and situations in this novel.

The next semantic field is a semantic field which describes the final conditions

and situations experienced by the Narrator, in which he has arrived at the stage of his

final searching for the meaningful life. The conditions and the situations described by

semantic field, heaven, god, and angel.

The semantic field mentioned above present at the final part of the novel.

Semantic field heaven, that is possibly a hospital, is described in the novel as the

final place of the Narrator.

Everything in heaven is white on white.


Everything in heaven is quiet, rubber-soled shoes.
I can sleep in heaven (256).

Semantic field angel, which is possibly a nurse at the hospital. As illustrated in

the excerpt:

The angels here are the Old Testament kind, legions and lieutenants, a
heavenly host who works in shifts, days, swing. Graveyard. They bring you
your meals on a tray with a paper cup of meds (257).

Semantic field God mentioned above, that is possibly a doctor. As stated in the

excerpt:

I've met God across his long walnut desk with his diplomas hanging on the

wall behind him (257).

This semantic fields describe the state of the Narrator at the end of his

problematic journey in his searching for value and meaning of life. And, as a

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conclusion of the searches contained in his conversation with semantic field god

listed below:

(…) and God asks me, "Why?"


Why did I cause so much pain?
Didn't I realize that each of us is a sacred, unique snowflake of special unique
specialness?
Can't I see how we're all manifestations of love?
I look at God behind his desk, taking notes on a pad, but God's got this all
wrong.
We are not special.
We are not crap or trash, either.
We just are.
We just are, and what happens just happens (257).

That is how series of semantic fields that have been mentioned, describing the

conditions and circumstances surrounding the life of the Narrator. The conditions

and circumstances which are intended, none other than the spatial structure of the

imaginary universe in this novel. In the above presentation, it was mentioned that the

imaginary universe that surrounds the Narrator, structured into several levels, and the

Narrator is always making efforts to move from one level to the other. Thus, the

Narrator's effort through every level of the imaginary universe that surrounded him,

by itself build the plot of this novel.

The plot aspect in this novel shows a kind of ‘transcendent’ movement of the

Narrator in his searching for a value that has been degraded in the environment that

are also been degraded. The plot of this novel shows the Narrator’s journey which

begins with the conditions and circumstances in which he lived an empty and

meaningless life, and lead to a meaningful life he lived with full awareness.

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This novel begins with a scene in which the Narrator, the central character in

this novel, was at the end of the whole story, remembering and reconstructing the

events and the occurrences contained in the novel in the form of fragments which are

not sequential. Presents a glimpse of the important characters that were also exist in

this novel. At first reading, this section will gradually understood after reading page

by page of this novel. It can also be said that the plot of this novel, can only be traced

from the second chapter of this novel.

As has been said before, the whole part of this novel is a journey of the

Narrator from one conditions leading to other conditions. The initial part of this

novel (chapter 2) begins with the depictions of the initial conditions of the Narrator's

life which shown by the semantic fields mentioned above, namely, work, office, boss,

and condominiums. All of this semantic fields describes the monotonous life of the

Narrator, meaningless, and alienated from the environment.

The Narrator surrounded by the semantic field work. He is a white-collar

worker in a company. His job requires him to always go to the places where a car

accident caused by functional failure happened (36). Besides that, it is also to attend

the meetings that cannot be attended by his boss (36). Out of his life at the office, and

while grappling with a work trip, the Narrator is also surrounded by semantic field

condominium, which is the place where he lived.

The Narrator’s condominium is described as a symbol of consumptive culture.

Inside the condominium there are various kinds of furniture he bought with money

he got from his work. During his life, he collects these items just to make him feels

comfortable with his condominium. Moreover, all the things he had in his condo,

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considered as the manifestation of his identity (135). All of this semantic fields

caused the Narrator alienated with its surroundings. In the novel, in the description of

the Narrator's initial conditions, there is no figures or objects other than those

mentioned. This is what makes the Narrator feels empty and meaningless.

Since the beginning of the story, the Narrator is described as suffering from

insomnia. That makes him difficult to fall asleep for a couple weeks. The insomnia

he suffered, then deepens the alienation he experienced. For him, the daily

experience that he faced, feels like an out-of-body experiences. Everything around

him cannot touch him, and he could not touch anything around him. (21)

The Narrator feels really suffer from the insomnia that he experienced. Several

times, he went to the doctor to consult, and urged the doctor to give him any

medicine. He just wants to sleep well (21). Seeing the exaggerated attitude of the

Narrator about his suffer, the doctor told him that insomnia he had experienced is just

a surface symptoms. Insomnia is a symptom of ‘something larger’. The doctor also

told the Narrator to come to the ground floor of one of the churches on Sunday

afternoon if he wants to see real pain (21).

Semantic field insomnia, here, is the intermediary between the initial

conditions that surround the life of the Narrator with other conditions at a more

complex level.

Then, the Narrator really come to that place on Tuesday night. The church

was named First Eucarist (21). It is a scene that marks the first connectedness

between the Narrator and the semantic field support group. As described in the

previous section, Support group is a kind of association, which was attended by

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people who suffer from chronic diseases. At the meeting, members of the support

group conduct various processions, such as sharing stories, hugging each other,

crying and meditate together.

There are various kind of support groups that were held, based on various

chronic diseases suffered by the participants, such as testicular cancer, brain cancer,

leukemia, and others. The Narrator attends all existing support group. In his initial

visits, the Narrator simply follows the procession there, but cannot cry like any other

participants of a support group who truly suffer from deadly disease. Then he met

with a character named Bob, a former bodybuilder affected testicular cancer (23).

At the meeting, Bob tells about his past, the triumph he had achieved. But in

the end, he lost all of them (24). Bob also tells how he felt that everything he did is

futile. He did not understand why he doing all things he has done. The presence of

Bob's character, for the Narrator, is a reflection on what he experienced. In a

meeting, Bob hugged the narrator, then, for the first time, the Narrator crying in the

arms of Bob (19). With the presence of Bob character, the Narrator increasingly

realized that her life, everything that he lived, is nothing but trash, useless, and does

not mean anything.

Thus, the Narrator now truly feel the despair similar with what has been

experienced by other members of support group that almost no longer have a life

expectancy (21). The sensation made him feel that he just found a very real

experience of despair and suffering. He felt that there was no place that can made

him relax as he experienced in the support group. Then, his life goes on with the

support group as his escapement and recreation from the conditions of alienation he

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experienced. Therefore, at this stage, the narrator has entered a more complex

conditions and situations than previously (21).

Such life conditions, experienced quite a long time by the Narrator, until

finally present Marla Singer. Marla Singer character is a semantic field that has the

same properties and functions with insomnia, interrupt the Narrator from the

conditions and circumstances surrounding his life. At support group meetings in

which the Narrator and Marla Singer met, the Narrator can see that Marla Singer was

not the real sufferers of chronic disease. He was just a ‘tourist’, visiting a support

group for other purposes. Such thought then leads the Narrator to realizes that he is

no different at all from Marla Singer. Marla Singer’s lies reflect the Narrator’s lies

(27).

It causes the Narrator can no longer cry in support group meetings that were

also attended by Marla Singer. The Narrator, again, experienced insomnia. Which

means, an indication that he starting to feel the urge to get out of the current living

conditions that are filled with artificiality and falseness. Then Tyler Durden now

present.

Regarding the Tyler Durden character, there are several explanations need to

be considered. For the Narrator, in the earlier parts of the story, the Tyler Durden

character are present separately from him. Owning all of the ideals envisioned by the

Narrator. However, when it seen from the perspective of reader, Tyler Durden and

the Narrator are two personalities who share the same body. It is became clear in

later sections of the novel in which the Narrator has realized that Tyler is a

schizophrenic illusion created by him.

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After previously interrupted by Marla Singer character, the Narrator then

greeted by Tyler Durden character. Companionship between the two characters

occurred in many work trips committed by the Narrator. The scene occurs when the

Narrator went to a beach. It was there he saw Tyler Durden, pulling logs from the sea

and stirring it up such a way to form a perfect palm shadow at certain times and only

occurs for one minute. For one minute, Tyler Durden then sitting on the perfect

palms shade. The Narrator amazed at Tyler Durden in the first time they met. The

scene then ends with Tyler Durden gave a phone number to the Narrator (38-40).

Shortly after the meeting, the Narrator got an unfortunate. His condominium

was exploded, caused by a gas leak. None of his luxury goods was left (54-55).

Because of losing his mind and do not know where to go, the Narrator call the phone

number gave by Tyler Durden. They then met in a bar. At this meeting, the Narrator

start to that Tyler Durden is the savior for him. Tyler Durden provide a wide range of

advice for the Narrator. Until finally the Narrator asked if Tyler allowed him to stay

at Tyler Durden’s house. Tyler agrees, but he asked for one condition to the Narrator

(57).

Tyler, asks the Narrator to hit him as hard as possible. At first, the Narrator

hesitant, but after Tyler assured him, the Narrator cast his first punch. Tyler replied,

and there was a fight between two of them. The fight makes both battered, and

finally they both go to Tyler’s rented house at Paper Street. That was the first

happening of fight club (65-66).

The Narrator feels some kind of different sensations with what he has found

when visiting support groups. This time, he felt something more remarkable. He

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never felt like he felt about living life after his fights. They both felt addicted. After

doing battle, the Narrator feels like he lost his fear. He is no longer bent in front of

his boss. All voice sounds very low. And he was not easily become upset. Now the

Narrator feels that he already found the most appropriate escapement from the

conditions that he experienced. He is now lived a life with different view (59-62).

Their habits to fight every weekend, out of their consciousness began to attract

other men who often visits the bar where the first time they have a conversation. This

club is increasingly growing. At first, the battle is done in front of the bar, but when

there were more people join the club, the next battles now moved to bar basement.

Then Fight Club now established. In every weekend, when the bar closed, they met

there (62).

The presence of semantic field fight club, along with other semantic field that

is equivalent, such as fists, screams, blood, Paper Street house, bar basement,

marking the stage where the Narrator has now entered another living conditions that

were more complex than ever before. Now he felt that he had found what he was

looking for in life. He felt that he had been freed from the shackles of the previous

semantic field of his life. In the novel, this phase described as the process of

enlightenment.

The events that marked the process of enlightenment undertaken by the

Narrator is a scene where Tyler Durden made a chemical burning in the back hands

of the Narrator with a mixture of caustic soda and water. During the painful chemical

combustion process, Tyler leads the Narrator into a procession similar to meditation

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in a support group. However, this time is different, the Narrator are led to surrender

and live the pain, do not try to run away or deny it (87-92).

After that scene, the Narrator described as getting closer to enlightenment.

Enlightenment in this novel is described as a total destruction. Illustrated clearly in

the message that is often said by Tyler that, "It's only after you've lost everything,

that you're free to do anything." (82).

Such condition, gradually began to experienced by the Narrator. He has lost his

condominium, now he lives in a rented house on Paper Street that portrayed

inversely proportional to his residence before. No fancy furniture, no catalog of

furniture items, or other objects that are not useful. The Narrator even freed from

consumer culture that entrap him while staying at his condominium. This can be seen

in the scene where the Narrator no longer buy soap to clean clothes, but makes his

own soap. In the midst of this life conditions, the Narrator and Tyler Durden

continues to attend fight club every weekends.

The Narrator’s living conditions at this stage is more active, aggressive,

optimistic, and tend to be cynical. The Narrator’s assumption that this is the life he

was looking for, now become unstable. At this stage, things that can disturb the

Narrator’s assumption is a cynical trait that always haunting him. He found himself

becoming increasingly aggressive and hates beauty. He hates all the beauty that he

had never had (150-151).

The cynical trait reached the climax, and shown in the scene where the

Narrator, at a meeting of fight club, fight with the character named Angel’s Face.

Angel’s Face character is, as the name suggests, described as a handsome young

85
man. At the fight, the Narrator seems like very upset while beating Angel’s Face

character until his face is no longer shaped a faces (150-151). The desire to destroy

performed by the Narrator, then became a turning point for the Narrator to move on

to the next life conditions which is more and more complex.

Seeing the desire to destroy performed by the Narrator in the last fight, and as

more and magnitude fight club grows in various cities in the United States, Tyler

Durden, developes fight club into Project Mayhem. The presence of the semantic

field Project Mayhem is then marked again the Narrator process in entering the living

conditions in different levels (151).

In Project Mayhem there are several committees. Tyler gave the name of the

committee by name, Arson Committee, Mischief Committee, Assault Committee,

and Misinformation Committee. First Rule of Project Mayhem is ‘no one should

asked a question’. Thus, only Tyler knows what was the purpose of Project Mayhem.

Tyler and the Narrator began to recruiting members for Project Mayhem which all of

it’s activities hosted in the Paper Street house. In a short time, the house was filled

with people who, in the novel, named as ‘space monkey’, including Bob and Angel’s

Face who is also a member of fight club (145-146).

Each committee in Project Mayhem perform various subversive acts like

destruction, terror, and various forms of violence. And it’s main objective is to blow

up a high-rises and a museum of national history. Various activities of people in

Project Mayhem began to interrupt the Narrator when one of its members, Bob, got

shot while on committee’s duty (221).

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The next semantic field that inspires the Narrator is his own consciousness. The

conditions and circumstances surrounding the Narrator's life at this stage, again, got

interrupted. What he has done, infact, have not answer his question and searching for

a meaningful life. The consciousness then drove him to stop the Project Mayhem

(223). His consciousness is also leads him to realizes that Tyler Durden is an illusion

he has created. Tyler Durden is just another personality who share the same body

with himself (204, 217).

Tyler Durden, who initially was a savior for the Narrator, is now become a

barrier to achieve what he was looking for. In his efforts to thwart Project Mayhem,

the Narrator dealing with himself. He realized that the character he has considered as

Tyler Durden is the same person with himself. Thus, he began to realize why

everyones consider him as Tyler Durden (247). His efforts to thwart Project Mayhem

culminated in a scene that has appeared in the early part of the novel, in which he

tried to shoot himself in order to eliminating Tyler Durden from his mind (255). The

shot does not make him dead, but ended the story with the ambiguity whether Tyler

Durden has really lost or not.

After various levels of conditions and circumstances surrounding his life

before, in the last chapter of the novel, the Narrator described to be in heaven and

also in a conversation with God (257). Conclusion of the Narrator's quest, presented

through a conversation with the God. The Narrator finally realize, that humans are

not garbage or special entity. A meaningful life will not reached only with passivity

and pessimistic trait, active and optimistic, or even destructive and cynical tendency.

We're just us. And everything that happens, just happens.

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The final part of the novel, remains ambiguous conclusions about what kind of

life will then be undertaken. And how the Narrator perceives life that he lived next.

The plot aspects described above is an abstraction of the Narrator’s journey as

the problematic hero in his searching for the values that has been degraded, and

presented linearly. The plots in this novel is not as straight as what is described

above but uses a complex way of storytelling. The story often shown likely

remembering or reconstructing the events that occurred in the past. Or can also be

described like randomly arranged mosaics. So that the plot pattern of this novel is not

as simple as if we called it, forward plot, backward plot, or a combination of both.

That is the whole description of the spatial structure and plot aspects of Fight

Club novel. The description above is a proof of what is called by Goldmann as a

significant structure, that is, a structure that will only be meaningful if the parts that

make it up have coherence with one another. In addition, at this stage, one side of a

theoretical explanation regarding the relations between the structure ant the part, that

a structure can only be built by the parts that have coherence, has also been proven.

The structure of Fight Club novel, thus, can be drawn into simple chart below.

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The final conditions and circumstances
surrounding the life of the Narrator.

The conditions and circumstances


surrounding the life of the Narrator.
(The Appearance of Project Mayhem)

The conditions and circumstances


surrounding the life of the Narrator.
(The Appearance of Fight Club)

The conditions and circumstances


surrounding the life of the Narrator.
(The appearance of Support Group)

The initial conditions and circumstances


surrounding the life of the Narrator.

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4.2 World View

As previously mentioned, Existentialism in this study placed as the world view

expressed by Fight Club novel. Thus, all elements contained in the structure of this

novel, (spatial structure and plots aspects) is framed by a series of complex and intact

conception in existential philosophy. Furthermore, to see in a more comprehensive

manner the coherence between the structure of Fight Club novel and existentialism

as a world view, the writer will described the concepts of existentialism expressed in

this novel.

4.2.1 Existentialism as ‘world view’ in Fight Club novel

In general, Fight Club novel is a manifestation of what is known in

existentialism as 'existential journey' (Wenley, 2011: 44). 'Existential journey'

meant here, is an individual’s journey in his searching for a meaningful life, the

'authenticity of life'. In Fight Club novel, the Narrator—or the problematic

hero, in Goldmann’s terms—is an individual who is likened to undergoing the

existential journey. This existential journey begins with a depiction of the

Narrator’s life which being in the 'absurdity of life'. The Narrator, told as a

"recall campaign coordinator" (37) on one of automotive companies. The

Narrator is a successful and economically well-established youth, but feels

empty with his ‘mechanical life’. He hates his job, and always hoping to quit

from his job (180).

The company where he works required him to constantly travel to cities

in the United States. The insomnia he has suffered makes him having an out-of-

body experience, a feeling like experiencing something he had never

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experienced. He lived in a luxury condominium, and fill it with a variety of

prestigious furniture. What he did outside of work is simply looking at the

IKEA furniture catalog and then purchase a wide variety of furniture listed

there which he thought could describe his identity. All of these descriptions is a

depiction of 'mechanical life' experienced by the Narrator. He was in a state of

alienation. In existential terms, the Narrator is in the phase of 'existential crisis'.

The 'existential crisis' mention above revealed in the novel through the

phrase 'something larger' which is said by a doctor when the Narrator want to

check if he suffered insomnia (9-10). "Insomnia is just a symptom of something

larger. Find out what's actually wrong" (12). This insomnia make him unable to

sleep in a fairly long period of time. These conditions make him feels like he

misses so much how does it feel to be able to sleep well. Insomnia is a parable

used by Palahniuk of what Camus called as 'weariness', or 'sickening' in

Sartre's novel, Nausea.

Insomnia experienced by the Narrator is a sign that the Narrator, as

individuals, have entered the 'process of awakening'. His desire to get out of

'existential crisis' situation that he experienced made him follow the doctor’s

advices.

“My doctor said, if I wanted to see real pain, I should swing by First
Eucharist on a Tuesday night. See the brain parasites. See the
degenerative bone diseases. The organic brain dysfunctions. See the
cancer patients getting by.

So I went”. (21)

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In that place, the Narrator joined the "support group", a gatherings

attended by people who suffer from chronic illness, dying, and without hope.

The Narrator join the groups, pretending that he really having a chronic

diseases similar to those who were there. He listened to the story told by other

participants, hugging each other, meditate and cry along together. But at the

first meeting, the Narrator cannot cry. Insomnia he experienced made him feels

that "everything is so far away, a copy of a copy of a copy. (...), you cannot

touch anything and nothing can touch you (23)."

At the next support group meeting, the Narrator meets another character

named Bob. Bob reflect a hollow life lived by the Narrator when Bob said, "All

my life, (...) why I do anything, I do not know (19)." Bob’s words make the

Narrator's dragged into what is called 'existential quest'. He began to

questioning his existence. Then he cried with Bob. “It's easy to cry when you

realize that everyone you love will reject you or die (19).” The Narrator thought

that he can feel the anguish, despair, abandonment, experienced by others who

were present at the meeting. The Narrator eventually conclude that this is the

life he was looking for. “This is the one real thing in my life” (28), “And I

slept. Babies don't sleep this well” (26). This situation is a depiction of what is

called as 'bad faith' in existentialism. A situation when an individual feels that

he has found the meaning of life he was looking for, but in fact, it was not.

The depiction of 'bad faith' in this novel shown in multiple levels.

Support Group, is a parable of 'bad faith' that is experienced by the Narrator in

early stage, and also become the first step of the Narrator in the 'process of

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awakening'. Such situation happened in a long enough period, until the Narrator

meets Marla Singer, another character in this novel.

The Narrator sees Marla as a "faker" (19), "tourist" (28). Marla does not

really suffer from any illness. Marla’s presence in each support group who

attended by the Narrator, make the Narrator, again, attacked by insomnia. He

was no longer able to sleep soundly. He, again, experienced the 'sickening' or

'weariness'. This is because he feels that "(...) Marla's lie Reflects my lie, and

all I can see are lies (27)." The presence of Marla also shake the conviction of

the Narrator, “In the middle of all their truth. Everyone clinging and risking to

share their worst fear, that their death is coming head-on and the barrel of a gun

is pressed against the back of their throats (27).” The Narrator realizes that

what he considered as a “truth" in the above quote is merely fake.

The stage that has been described above is the stage of 'bad faith' which

tend to be passive. In this stage, the Narrator considers himself as an object that

can only passively accept a situation he experienced. As stated earlier, the stage

of 'bad faith' in this novel is shown in multiple levels.

The Narrator, again, undergoes a 'mechanical life' as before. He

returned to work routines, traveling to various cities for the sake of work. On

one of his travels, when he awoke, the Narrator meets Tyler Durden. “How I

met Tyler was I went to a nude beach. This was the very end of summer, and I

was asleep (38).”

Here, the writer should emphasizes, that the Narrator and Tyler are not

two physically separated figures. The Narrator and Tyler are two characters

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who shared the same body. However, when seen from the Narrator’s

perspective, Tyler Durden is a different individual, with his own mind and

body, except in the final part of the novel (Chapter 20-21), when the Narrator

has realized that Tyler is another character that actually only exist in his mind.

Because of acute insomnia he has suffered, the Narrator cannot realized which

are the real experience and which experience that is only a hallucination. Tyler

is a conception of ideal individual imagined by the Narrator.

At a later stage the Narrator dominated by his obsession with objects.

By consume (buying) objects, the Narrator feels that he can actualize himself.

He was represented in any luxury objects he had in his condominium. “You

buy furniture. You tell yourself, this is the last sofa I will ever need in my life.

Buy the sofa, then for a couple years you're satisfied that no matter what goes

wrong, at least you've got your sofa issue handled” (54). The Narrator becomes

"a slave to the nesting instinct" (52). Even at the more radical extent, the

Narrator realizes "the things you used to own, now they own you" (54). All of

these situations is what is in existentialism called as 'passive bad faith'.

The narrator realizes that he “(…)was tired and crazy and rushed, and

every time I boarded a plane, I wanted the plane to crash. I envied people dying

of cancer. I hated my life. I was tired and bored with my job and my furniture,

and I couldn't see any way to change things” (215). Or in other words the

Narrator experienced what is called anguish and despair. But for the Narrator,

Tyler is not so. Tyler does know how to change things. “I love everything about

Tyler Durden, his courage and his smarts. His nerve. Tyler is funny and

charming and forceful and independent, and men look up to him and expect

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him to change their world. Tyler is capable and free, and I am not” (217). Tyler

then present as a savior for the Narrator.

Upon returning from a working trip, the Narrator finds his

condominium have been destroyed, along with all the furniture he collected

during his life. “Everything blasting out from the fifteenth floor in a sort of

solar flare” (55). His condominium exploded due to a gas leak and a spark from

an electric short circuiting.

“The police think maybe it was the gas. Maybe the pilot light on the
stove went out or a burner was left on, leaking gas, and the gas rose to
the ceiling, and the gas filled the condo from ceiling to floor in every
room. The condo was seventeen hundred square feet with high ceilings
and for days and days, the gas must've leaked until every room was full.
When the rooms were filled to the floor, the compressor at the base of
the refrigerator clicked on” (54).

Under conditions where he do not know what to do, the Narrator meet Tyler

Durden, the savior.

Then 'fight club' present. Fight club, first held on a night after the

Narrator meets Tyler Durden. At first, Tyler asks the Narrator to do him a

favor, "I want you to hit me as hard as you can" (57). The Narrator hit him,

Tyler replied, then the Narrator reply again. Finally the fight happened, until

they both were exhausted. Thus, fight club starts and continues to grow and

involving many people.

The formation of fight club is the Narrator’s attempts to get out of the

'absurdity of life’ caused by popular culture and consumptivism, by committing

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‘self-destruction' in order to achieve 'authenticity'. (But keep in mind, 'the

absurdity of life' or 'existential crisis' at this stage is already at the different

levels). After the first fight, the Narrator and Tyler Durden continue to have

one on one fight. People who were joined fight club becomes more and more.

The Narrator feels like he already found the answers of his life weariness while

he joined the support group. The Narrator obtain a satisfaction by fighting

continuously. He even feels that “(…) you aren’t alive anywhere like you’re

alive at fight club” (26).

Basically, fight club is a hyper-masculine version of the support group.

If the support group is a manifestation of bad faith which tend to be passive and

desperate, then fight club is another form of bad faith which are more likely

aggressive, leads to self-destruction. In simple term, fight club is a sort of

medium for an individual to do a 'self-discovery'. “Most guys are at fight club

because of something they're too scared to fight. After a few fights, you're

afraid a lot less” (68). For Tyler himself, he did fight club first because he

wants "to know more about himself" (65).

As well as the support group, the Narrator also live their life with the

presence of fight club in a considerable period of time. In the stage of bad faith

in this different levels, the Narrator’s destructive desire become increased, and

culminate when he hit battered a member of fight club called Angel's Face.

“I tagged a first-timer one night at fight club. That Saturday night, a


young guy with an angel's face came to his first fight club, and I tagged
him for a fight. That's the rule. If it's your first night in fight club, you

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have to fight. I knew that so I tagged him because the insomnia was on
again, and I was in a mood to destroy something beautiful” (150).

His destructive desire at this stage is a little bit cynical. He was having

such a high desire to destroy all forms of beauty he never had.

“I wanted to destroy everything beautiful I'd never have. Burn the


Amazon rain forests. Pump chlorofluorocarbons straight up to gobble
the ozone. Open the dump valves on supertankers and uncap offshore
oil wells. I wanted to kill all the fish I couldn't afford to eat, and
smother the French beaches I'd never see” (151).

Angel's Face, is one of the beauty that is appear in front of him. And he

eager to destroyed it.

Such cynical trait, is also a manifestation of 'weariness' or 'sickening'.

After constantly attend fight club, the Narrator, again, harassed by feeling of

anguish, and despair. He started to questions his basic desire. Tyler saw the

tendency of the Narrator, and then quietly improving the 'destructive' energy in

fight club onto a larger scale, that is, Project Mayhem.

In Project Mayhem, the destructive desire is no longer focused just on

themselves or body. Now Tyler was about to destroying every scrap of history"

(13). "Tyler says (...) man is "the crap and the slaves of history, that's how I felt

"(151). The history is a cage that locked man from of the possibility to realize

all the potential he has. Project Mayhem sued history, and “The goal was to

teach each man in the project that he had the power to control history” (150)

and "blast the world free of history" (153).

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During undergoing this stage, especially when Bob, his old friend, was

dead while performing the actions that must be performed as a member of

Project Mayhem (222), the Narrator began to feel again the 'weariness'. He

began to feel interfered with the actions carried out in Project Mayhem. These

actions are named "special homework assignment" (205). Everyone in the

Project Mayhem got an assignment to do with them. For instance, "the splicing

of pornography into family feature films", the manufacture of soap from human

fat liposuctioned, and the hospitality terrorism, all of which, though grotesque

and provocative, never endanger anyone's life. Thus, the Narrator confronted

again with the 'absurdity of life' at increasingly complex levels.

The Narrator seek answers from his weariness by deciding to thwart the

Project Mayhem, initiated by Tyler. In this section, the Narrator finds a terrible

reality throughout his life: realize that Tyler Durden is another characters that

are also exist in his self. "We both use the same body, but at different times"

(204). When the Narrator had been aware of it, Tyler Durden disappeared, but

the Narrator continued its efforts to stop Project Mayhem that has mushroomed

to almost every town in United States. He went to each town to find where

Tyler Durden is located. But what he found was confusion because every

person he met called him by the name "Mr. Durden."

This stage is the most extreme stage of ‘existential crisis’ experienced

by the Narrator, as what has Camus said in The Myth of Sisyphus, in the

'process of the awakening' an individual is faced with the risk of suicide, as

well as the possibility for recovery. The Narrator is at that stage now. The

Narrator himself almost did suicide, which shown in a scene:

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The world is going crazy. My boss is dead. My home is gone. My job is
gone. And I'm responsible for it all.

There's nothing left.


I'm overdrawn at the bank.
Step over the edge.
The police tape flutters between me and oblivion.
Step over the edge.
What else is there?
Step over the edge.
There's Marla.
Jump over the edge.
There's Marla, and she's in the middle of everything and does not know
it.
And she loves you.
She loves Tyler.
She does not know the difference.
Somebody has to tell her. Get out. Get out. Get out.
Save yourself. You ride the elevator down to the lobby, and the
doorman who never liked you, now he smiles at you (...) (240).

But after carefully considering, and meanwhile, the freedom to choose

and determine his fate is entirely in his hands, then, he cancels his intention.

This time, he considers Tyler is no longer as a savior, but as the hardest 'bad

faith' that restrained him in achieving 'the authenticity of life’. Therefore, the

Narrator intends to eliminate Tyler from his mind, by shot his own mouth.

"And I pull the trigger" (255). The shot was missed from his brain, and leaving

a jagged smile on her cheek. But he did not die.

After the incident, at the end of this novel, the Narrator ends somewhere

which is called as a "paradise" (256) which possibly a hospital. "I can sleep in

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heaven" (256). Meanwhile, the final results of the Narrator searching for

meaning of life is summed up in his conversation with "God"—which was

probably a doctor—in the final part of this novel.

“Everything in heaven is white on white.


(…)
Everything in heaven is quiet, rubber-soled shoes.
I can sleep in heaven.
(…)
I've met God across his long walnut desk with his diplomas hanging on
the wall behind him, and God asks me, "Why?"
Why did I cause so much pain?
Didn't I realize that each of us is a sacred, unique snowflake of special
unique specialness?
Can't I see how we're all manifestations of love?
I look at God behind his desk, taking notes on a pad, but God's got this
all wrong.
We are not special.
We are not crap or trash, either.
We just are.
We just are, and what happens just happens” (256-257).

The conversations above showed a consistency with what is called

‘authentic individual’ in existentialism. Like what Sartre has uttered that

authenticity means

"(…) the acceptance of our place in the cosmos, of the fact that we are
each alone, without excuse or reason for being, abandoned to choose
our values without reference to anything that could justify them in the
eyes of the universe. Authenticity means accepting our burden of
radical freedom, the fact that values are not, as Sartre says, Inscribed in

100
an 'intelligible heaven "(EH, p. 353), and that therefore we must create
them ourselves" (Levy, 2002: 66).

If observed in the overall scope, this novel seems never separated from

the Narrator as an individual who become the center course of the story. The

Narrator become a subject who objectified everything outside himself. It can

not be circumvented, showed consistency with one of the main principles of

existentialism, which puts the individual as the starting point of various

conceptions contained therein.

At this point, it’s also can be said that, the imaginary universe of Fight Club

novel and the entire semantic fields contained in it, is the structuration result of

existentialism world view. The semantic fields do not appear in the form of binary

opposition, but appeared in several levels that represent a condition called by Camus

as ‘the absurdity of life’ or ‘existential crisis’ that surrounds the life of the Narrator.

Multiple levels of semantic fields is also a conditions that surrounds the Narrator

journey in his searching for the ‘meaningful life’, or ‘authenticity of life’. In other

words, the spatial structure and the plots aspects of this novel coherent with the

‘existential journey’ of an individual in his search for an ‘authentic life’.

Thus, the structure of Fight Club novel’s chart, as described earlier, can now

be equated with a simple chart of 'existential journey' as a manifestation of the

existentialism world view in the novel.

101
Conclusion of the Narrator’s searching for
meaning of life (Authenticity).

EXISTENTIAL CRISIS (Destructive Act)

(Suicide or Recovery)

EXISTENTIAL CRISIS (Bad Faith, Violence)

EXISTENTIAL CRISIS (Bad Faith, Passive)

ALIENATION / EXISTENTIAL CRISIS

(ABSURDITY OF LIFE, MECHANICAL LIFE)

102
4.3 Social Genesis of Fight Club novel

4.3.1 Social Structure of American Society

International economic and political situations, is one aspect that cannot

be ignored in order to read the social structure of a particular context of society.

Various political events such as World War I and World War II, for example,

continues to be a tension not only in the political but also in the economic field.

Such political and economic tensions became commonly known as the Cold

War, a war that was no longer appear in the form of military power battles, but

rather in the ideological field and economic power contentions. In the Cold

War, "the United States and its allies, including the proponents of economic

and political system known as capitalism and democracy, involved in the

ideological war against the Soviets and their allies with the concept of the

community known as communism." (Mansbach & Rafferty, 2012: 181).

U.S. involvement in the development of the international political

situations, also had an impact on the economic situations within the states, both

the economic growth and crisis. One of the most severe economic crisis ever

happen is the economic crisis occurred in the 1930s, known as the ‘Great

Depression’. This severe crisis affects not only the United States, but also many

countries in Europe. Some experts believe that the fall of the stock market

(stock market crush) on Wall Street on 29 October 1929 was the main cause of

the Great Depression (Grace, 2005: 236). Furthermore, the stock market crush

also decrease the purchasing power of the lower middle class, reduced housing

investment levels, agricultural conditions experienced declination or decreasing

103
in raw material prices, increasing number of unemployment and the bankruptcy

of major companies.

Meanwhile, theorists began to criticize that this is the practical impact

of economic theory of Adam Smith and his followers who believe that

economic growth will be achieved if the state does not intervene the market

mechanism. But the crisis that continuously undermine American society at

that time, forced the state to finally intervene in determining the market

mechanism. The government, then launch a policy to carry out a rescue

measures through a liquidation policy of the goods excess production, launch

‘protectionism’ legislation (Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act), and consider gold as a

fixed exchange value (standardized gold). Unfortunately, the three rescue

measures is judged to be un-effective in controlling the economic depression.

This major crisis event, then, triggers the emergence of new economic

thought that became the antithesis on Adam Smith’s ideas. In general, the later

emerging thoughts, believes that the state should indeed intervene in regulating

market mechanism. One of the main figures of this thought is John M. Keyness

(1883-1946), a British economist. Keyness strongly advocated government

intervention to regulate the balance between saving and consumption that is

proportional to the investment and the production-consumption of goods. In

other words, the state should be balancing the flow of money and capital that

flows in a revenue (supply) and spending (demand) cycle. The intervention

meant by Keynes is some kind of demand management, which is the method

used to expanding the demand if the economic downturn was about to threaten,

and cutting the demand when the situations approaching an economic boom.

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In addition, another antithesis emerging is the economics thought called

Fordism, taken from its founder’s name, an American industrialist, Henry Ford

(1863-1947). Fordism is basically a method of industrial management carried

out by Ford in his company’s management systems, Ford Motor Company, in

his efforts to commit the economic transformation from agriculture into

production sector that considers mass production and mass consumption. Mass

production system is considered more successful when applying Keynesian

economic regulation system.

There are several things that characterizes the Fordism system. First,

economic regulation is applying the Keynesian models, with a centralistic

management system (centralized, controlled). Its regulations sources are the

state/government, so that the market mobility or the economical motions is

vertically integrated. Secondly, the reduction of skilled worker and

optimalization of the semi-skilled workers (de-skilling) which are paid with

appropriate wages. Incentives giving (overtime) is become a stimulus to

increase productivity of the labor (Taylorinisme system). Third, a complex

division of labor through labor specialization, the implementation of a shift

system with a strict supervision mechanism so that there is no room for

innovation and participation in company policy. Fourth, stable macro-economic

growth, in a relatively closed economic system, with a consumptive lifestyle

that is conformist (uniformity and standardization).

Proof of U.S. government intervention in regulating the country's

economic system as advocated by the adherents of Keynesian, can be seen from

the significant changes that succeeded in encouraging the growth little by little,

105
and managed to normalize the production cost. The economic conditions of

America is getting better when the government managed to implement the

management system of Fordisian mass production. The success of the U.S.

government in overcome the economic crisis, encourage many countries in

Europe and Asia, which are equally defeated by the crisis, to implement a

Keynesian economic system and Fordisian production management. This

economic system then brings the U.S. and some of European countries to

entering the Golden Age of Capitalism.

As the previous economic system that were also collapsed due to the

crisis, the Fordism economic system also suffered the same fate. In general, the

causes of the Fordism economical system crisis was the ‘oil crisis’ in the U.S.

which is caused by the embargo made by Saudi Arabia around 1970s. Fordism

system dependency to a great energy—because of the large production needs—

make it hard to avoid collapse when energy needs are not fulfilled.

The collapse of the Fordism economic system then reappearing several

antithesis ideas to overcome the crisis. The next one is post-Fordism. The

character of the post-Fordism economic system is reflected in some of the

following: economical regulatory authority, again, experienced a shift from

state to market, there is also a shift from mass production of homogeneous

goods (uniform, standardized, and fully controlled by the state) to a variable

flexible production (according market demand), and the character of multi-

skilled worker in utilizing a number of strategies that can answer the market

demand. Thus, the market becomes an arena dominated by economic actors

(entrepreneurs). Such systems, have an impact on the flood of commodities, as

106
a result of the competition between the economic actors to dominate the

market. The economic system as such, also known as capitalism.

The shift toward mass production in the description regarding to U.S.

economic system above, also requires the emergence of mass consumption, and

continues to create what Baudrillard called consumer society. Jean Baudrillard,

a French sociologist, puts American society as a perfect model of what he

described as a Consumer Society.

Baudrillard outlines in detail what he described as a consumer society.

First of all, Baudrillard expressed an interest in aspects of consumption,

because according to him, reading a society based on production theory offered

by Karl Marx, is no longer able to explain the phenomena that occur in the

society in this era of advanced capitalism. As already mentioned, one of the

main characteristics of consumer society, is the presence of excessive

consumption symptoms that occur massively at various levels of society.

Indeed, this argument seems no longer new in the world of science, but

Baudrillard emphasize again the distinction of the concept of consumption he

meant. According to him, the consumption activity existing in the consumer

society, no longer merely addressing to fulfill the needs, but also as a proof of

existence. "I consume therefore I exist" widely known Baudrillard’s jargon. In

the consumer society, people are consuming to establish the identity of their

existence.

Furthermore, Baudrillard construct a theory to explain the system of

objects which become a commodity. In his theoretical building, Baudrillard

107
boldly dismantle the theoretical buildings carried by Marx in accordance with

values contained in each commodity items. For Baudrillard, the aspect of 'use

value' and 'exchange value' that has been proposed by Marx, is no longer

adequate to describe the system of objects—as a commodity—circulating in the

community. He then filed a new concept regarding to the aspects of the value

contained in each commodity; the ‘sign value’ and ‘symbolic value’. In simple

term, in every single commodity that has been consumed, people are about to

earn a prestige value. In consumer society, these aspects that is consumed by

the society, in connection with the construction of his existential identity as an

individual.

Values aspect conception proposed by Baudrillard, unfortunately, really

has pervaded almost every aspect of human life. Because, according to him, in

this era of advanced capitalism, in which the 'profit maximization' motif has

been a key driver of every human activity, all aspects of human life has become

a commodity that can be exchanged and traded. In the midst of this situation,

the individual threatened by an ‘existential crisis’, because suddenly, man

becomes equivalent with objects or goods. Humans, according to Baudrillad,

are now in a state of shallowness of value (banality).

Those valuable for consumer society is merely an appearance, not the

substance. Humans are no longer concerned with meaning. There's no more

depth and solemn in perceiving various phenomena facing by mankind.

In addition, the communication technology which evolved so rapidly

also played a central role in the formation of this consumer society. Moreover,

108
with easy access to a wide range of technologically advanced tools, the society

is increasingly facilitated with easy access to the commodity. The advertising

containing some kind of seduction to consume a commodity now crammed

massively to the society’s mind, and at a certain extent, able to intervene

personal desire to consume. The simple conclusion is the human condition at

this time, no longer able to escape from the consumer culture that undermined

from all directions.

The U.S. social situations outlined above, began to appear the

relevances with human existence, which became the starting point of

existentialism concern. The circumstances in which human has radically

equivalent with objects, dragging human being into the situation of alienation,

which is also the core concepts in existentialism. Or in other words, the social

structure of American society, which has changed dramatically since the

aftermath of the Cold War, has dragged human into existential crisis.

It is increasingly clear that the acceptance of American society of the

idea of existentialism, made possible by a social structure that is also made up

by the political and economic system that stands firmly in this state.

Existentialism, accepted by American society at various levels, "everyone,

from soldier to statesmen" (Cotkin, 2003: 54). Not only that, existentialism also

discussed seriously by intellectuals in America. Cotkin also enlighten our

understanding of the acceptance possibility of existentialism in America

through exposure of his research results which stating that the works with

existentialism nuance, more specifically, the work of early existentialist

thinkers like Kierkegaard, once translated massively by a pastor of the

109
Episcopal named Walter Lowrie (Cotkin, 2003: 54). American public

enthusiasm for the works of existentialist is also driven by a bright hope

promised by existentialism for the situations of social crisis in various aspects

of human life at that time. (Cotkin, 2003: 55).

4.3.2 The Social Group of The Author (collective subject)

Chuck Palahniuk's father, Fred Palahniuk, was a railroad worker. His

birth mother, Carol, works as an office manager at the nuclear power plants

company. His grandfather from his father, worked as a farmer. Chuck

Palahniuk himself, before he became a writer, had spent more than 13 years of

his age as a worker at a manufacturing company producing diesel-engined

trucks. If it seen from the social background of the three generations in his

family, presumably it can be concluded that Chuck Palahniuk came from a

working class family in the United States.

However, it is not an easy thing to simply defining one's social group,

because a particular individual could be a part of several different social

groups, simultaneously. In the social sciences, Marx, have left one theoretical

concepts related to class divisions in the social structure. According to him, the

fundamental thing that differentiates two classes that existed in society, the

bourgeoisie (capitalists) and proletariat (workers), is the ownership of the

means of production. In simple terms, Marx stated that, anyone who does not

have access to the ownership of the means of production, or in other words,

only pawn their energy, thoughts, or skills in a series of production process, is

arguably as a working class or the proletariat. Thus, for the first step, it is not

110
wrong if Chuck Palahniuk, is said to belong to the group of the working class in

the social structure of society in which he lived.

In his position as the working class, Palahniuk is possible to directly

feel the impact of the social structure that forces people to enter into an

‘existential crisis’ situations. In some biographical notes, or from some

documentation interview, Palahniuk quite openly described how he had through

his life in the middle of the existing social structure. Ranging from the

dynamics within the family that is fairly extreme, to the story of his own

journey as an independence individual.

However, such description about the social groups of Palahniuk, is not

quite enough. Chuck Palahniuk, though can be said came from the working

class social group, he also has other qualities that allow it to not only be

categorized as a working class social group in general senses. In some of

biographical notes (which are listed in Chapter II), can be found information

that, Chuck Palahniuk, successfully completed his education up to the

university level. This signifies that, he is different from working-class social

groups in general which were never reached the higher education level.

Therefore, through an educational process he traveled, it is possible to for him

to arrive at ‘class consciousness’ as the working class social group. By doing

so, he has the ability to understand the position of his social group in the middle

of established social structure.

Moreover, in his educational journey, Chuck Palahniuk—on one

interview—admitted that he was fond of reading the works such as sorts of

111
existential nuanced works of Kierkegaard and Albert Camus, including the

works of Jean Paul Sartre. In fact, he also admitted that his authorship style is

heavily influenced by the great figures of the existentialism. Thus, in

ideological terms, that is how existentialism entered and internalized into the

self of Chuck Palahniuk.

During his profession as a worker at a manufacturing company that

manufactures diesel-engined trucks, he began to hone his ability in the field of

authorship. Then, supported by his sensitivity in observing the patterns of

social interaction and social phenomenon exists around him, he finally decided

to try to write a work of fiction.

As has been written in the previous part, existentialism in the United

States, can be accepted by various social groups. Then, so does the social group

that is represented by Chuck Palahniuk as an author. From the above

description, it would be sufficient to conclude that Chuck Palahniuk is an

author who comes from an educated working class social group, conscious of

his class position in the social structure of the U.S. He is also a representation

of his social group who able to express his social group’s world view that is

manifested in the work of fictions he created.

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CHAPTER V

CONCLUSION

5.1 Conclusion

Now it can be concluded that the general hypothesis of genetic structuralism

theory who stated that, the literary works that has been studied had a significant

structure, which is an expression of the world view of particular social group whose

formation is influenced by the social structure surrounding it, can now be validly

proved. Automatically, this research has, more or less, confirmed the validity of

genetic structuralism theory as one of the most sophisticated theory in the realm of

literary sciences.

In the hypothesis mentioned above, can clearly be seen the four main

variables, namely, the structure of literary works, world view, social groups, and

social structure. The four variables, in this study has shown a maximum coherence,

as purposed by genetic structuralism theory.

The structure of Fight Club novel, showed a different tendency with other

findings obtained by many studies that also uses genetic structuralism theory. In this

study, the structure of Fight Club novel is no longer shows a binary opposition

pattern such as the findings of previous genetic structuralism studies. But more likely

showed a multilevel stage where each level is a depiction of the situations and

conditions of the Narrator’s life (as the central character). Each level consists sort of

semantic fields which is equivalent each other in describing the stages of the

situations and conditions of the Narrator’s life. In between each of these levels, there

are also other semantic field that serves as a link between the levels. Inside such

113
structure, then, the Narrator—problematic hero, in Goldmann’s term—undertaken

his searching for values that were degraded in an environment that is also degraded.

Structure model that has been described above, is the result of a structuration

process from the existentialism world view. In the view of existentialism, the

Narrator's journey through the multilevel stages of the circumstances of his life was

known as 'existential journey', namely, the existential journey of an individual leads

to what is called ‘the authenticity of life’. ‘Authenticity itself is one of the important

concepts in existentialism which means the acceptance of our place in the cosmos, of

the fact that we are each alone, without excuse or reason for being, abandoned to

choose our values without reference to anything that could justify them in the eyes of

the universe. Each multilevel stages contained in the structure of Fight Club novel, is

a manifestation of what is called 'existential crisis' in existentialism. A condition in

which an individual begins to feel ‘weary’ and ‘sick’ with living conditions that run

in a mechanical ways, empty, void, and without meaning. The ‘existential crisis’

condition, is present in various levels as an arena in which the Narrator as individual

undertaken his existential journey.

Existentialism world view itself, is a world view that is accepted by almost all

layers of social groups lived in America. However, in its relation with the study of

this novel, Chuck Palahniuk considered as a representation of an educated working

class social group as one of the social groups that receive and internalize

existentialism as their world view. This fact can be seen in sorts of the work of

fictions created by Chuck Palahniuk.

114
The author’s social group, was not by itself embraced existentialism as their

world view, but rather influenced by the social structure of the United States, which

is also formed by the economic and political conditions. Educated working class as

the social group of the author, is one of the social groups who directly feel the

construction of life within the social structures which tend to shows some

characteristics of consumer society, as a logical consequence of the economic system

of capitalism. An economic system that is not able to avoid the consequences of

abundance of consumer goods. Thus, it cannot also be circumvented, the society

dragged into a culture of excessive consumption.

In the midst of such conditions, each individual becomes almost equivalent to

the objects or goods. It is caused by, the existing economic system has ferociously

commodified almost all aspects of human life. The individuals by himself

experiencing, what is called existential crisis. Man began to question the meaning of

his existence in this life and longing for a conception of how man should live his life

as an individual.

Now it can be seen clearly that, each variable outlined above have a coherent

relations with each other. Because in genetic structuralism theory, the relations of

each variable is a dialectical circle that cannot be separated from one another.

Therefore, the literary research using genetic structuralism theory should be

committed in an integrated way by revealing all of the variables in genetic

structuralism theory. By such method, can then be found a valid result of a coherent

and dialectical relations of all the variables in genetic structuralism theory.

115
If Goldmann requires that a novel that can be studied by using the

structuralism genetic theory confined to major works only, that is, works that express

a world view in a total and maximum extent of coherence, so now, the writer can

propose a thesis that Fight Club novel is a ‘great literary work’—as conditioned by

Goldmann—in our period. The thesis, is proven by the above description which

showed that all the main variables in genetic structuralism theory, contained in the

novel, has reached a maximum level of coherence. Therefore, according to the

writer, it is not wrong if Fight Club novel was studied by using genetic structuralism

theory.

5.2 Suggestion

Based on the long description of the overall analysis, the reader would have

been able to obtain an additional alternative to interpret the messages conveyed by

Fight Club novel within the framework of existentialism view. Whether messages

that were conveyed directly or explicitly, as well as messages conveyed through

symbolic parables, which is often unwittingly entered, precipitated, and then forms a

new structure of beliefs within our subconscious. It was also hoped, with such

understanding, the reader can contemplates various messages and reflect its

relevance to the context of the social structure of the society in which we live.

Besides the practical consideration in understanding of the work, the writer

also suggests to anyone who would conduct the literary research by using genetic

structuralism theory in the times to come, to consider that, the genetic structuralism

theory is a literary theory that has a very large scope, so the studies using this theory

should be a studies that is intended for greater coverage and by a higher level of

116
study. Because basically, the major targets of this theory is to understand a

phenomenon of civilization at a particular time. Therefore, there will be so many

variables with a very broad scope, should be included in genetic structuralism study.

Lastly, as a student at the faculty of letters, the writer, again, suggest to

anyone who consider to commit a literary research, to continue to elaborate various

early works and following the theoretical developments in the literary sciences.

Because only by doing so, we can actually come into the contemplative processes of

the development of knowledge we carried out. Because, basically, literary sciences is

the science that takes part in the domains of mind. Literature is a deposition of a long

process of civilizations turnover. By reading the literature, one can read the condition

of the society who live in his period.

117
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