English Literature and the Themes of Masculinity - Essay Example

English Literature The themes of masculinity as a critical element within the conception of identity and the creation of self-worth are vivid in the premise of The Double by Jose Saramago and Fight Club written by Chuck Palahniuk. The development of an alternative identity which is much stronger, more capable and more successful as opposed to the reality of the works’ protagonists simply referred to as the The Narrator in Fight Club and Tertuliano Máximo Afonso in The Double is rooted in the foundations of the literary works and engages the reader into exploring the reasons for their emergence. It is plausible to assert that the main characters’ motivation for viewing in another entity, possibly the best or desired versions of themselves is a consequence of their unremarkable and rather ordinary lives which perhaps do not offer a sense of fulfillment or satisfaction thereby, leaving behind a yearning and longing for wanting more. Accordingly, it is evident that the characters’ psyche is characterized by the presence of doubt, uncertainty and a yet again that sense of discontentedness which is prompted by the onset of anxiety which translates into the emergence of psychological splits. Regardless of the protagonists’ intentions behind their alternative portrayals of the self and their respective identities it can be established that the existence of split identities for a single individual in this case The Narrator and Afonso is also fundamental to the boosting of their self-worth, for perhaps all their lives have been marked by inadequacy and unrequited personal and professional relationships where their mothers, fathers, girlfriends and bosses have been absent in the association or never thought too highly of the protagonists’ or their capabilities to maintain the relationship and let it thrive. However, the question arises that whose approval is more significant for maintaining and advancing the characters’ sense of self-worth? What binds the members of the fictional Fight Club in Palahniuk’s work is a sense of resentment, dissatisfaction and rage which is channeled negatively through activities of vandalism and destruction. However, these are only the personal traits and characteristics that are comparable between each and every member of the alliance. Another aspect of the main characters’ early life which is similar and therefore, reinforces the notion of The Narrator and Tyler Durden – the co-founder of Fight Club being the same person is that of their mutually shared contempt for their fathers. The mention of an absent father is not a mere detail in Palahniuk’s novel it is in fact an idea which is reinforced throughout the book to serve a greater thematic purpose for example, a significant quote in the text reads: "…Maybe self-improvement isnt the answer. Tyler never knew his father. Maybe self-destruction is the answer." (Palahniuk 49). The profound impact of reiterating Tyler’s childhood with an absent father signifies the concepts of rejection and abandonment that were experienced by the character and thereby, led to the onset of such feelings of being inadequate or not good enough. This aspect also embodies the manner in which the Narrator and Tyler choose to channel the emotions which were triggered as a result of their fathers’ rejection. The answer to revive their self-worth is not present in ways of improving their lives but the principle notion is to link one’s self to one’s core so as to enhance the process of understanding the concept of identity and resolve the confusions of life. Another intriguing element within Fight Club is how Palahniuk draws parallels between the concept of God and the significance of having a present father throughout childhood, for example, in one dialogue the mechanic sheds light upon the state of the family structure in America and how its changing nature has essentially impacted the mindset of males whose fathers rejected or abandoned them at a young age. "If youre male and youre Christian and living in America, your father is your model for God. And if you never know your father, if your father bails out or dies or is never at home, what do you believe about God?” (Palahniuk 141). Palahniuk follows the mechanic’s revelation with Tyler’s take on the matter, who further challenges the ideals and suggests that “…getting Gods attention for being bad was better than getting no attention at all. Maybe because Gods hate is better than His indifference.” (141). If Tyler’s understanding of the relationship between the place of God and one’s father is aligned with the mechanic’s comprehension of one’s father being a symbolic figure for God then it can be suggested that the self-worth of the main characters’ in Fight Club is so deeply linked with winning the esteem of their fathers that they are prepared to bear hatred in the place of coldness and unconcern. Thus, the slightest degree of acknowledgement for their actions is nothing less than an achievement for these men because all they wish for is to win the esteem of their fathers by seeking the attention of God. For example, in one situation the mechanic in his sheer desire to cause destruction and destroy the epitome of beauty suggests "…wipe your ass with the Mona Lisa. This way at least, God would know our names." (Palahniuk 141). On the other hand, Afonso’s journey towards improving the status of his self-worth is rooted in surpassing the identity of his double, Claro because the latter’s birth which occurred only thirty minutes earlier than the former’s is a validation of him being the original owner of the identity which they both share. However, the pivotal role of both Afonso and Claro’s significant others, Maria and Helena in the book sheds light on the possibility that the characters’ self-worth or belief as to the superiority of the other is rooted in gaining the approval of the woman in their lives or better yet the life of their respective double. The critical comparative feature between The Double and Fight Club is centered upon the protagonists’ desire for seeking validation from the female figures in their life in the case of Saramago’s work while, Palahniuk focuses upon the role of the father in shaping personal identity and characters. For example, a meaningful statement in Saramago’s work which explores the foundations of having a double which can necessarily be viewed as the thieve of one’s personal identity, the author reflects upon the notion that there is one relationship in a person’s life where individuality is never and can never be surpassed or demolished by a thing such as the double. Expressing his belief on this concept, Saramago writes: “…there is no duplicate of you to come and replace you at your mothers side, you were unique, just as every ordinary person is unique, truly unique.” This quote highlights that despite of his lack of individualism or originality, Afonso’s existence shall always remain unique to his mother and as long as he is able to receive her acknowledgement and win her esteem his uniqueness cannot be challenged by someone like Claro. The true problem or loss of identity would therefore, only arise if even Afonso’s mother is unable to distinguish between her son and Claro. However, Saramago maintains that the possibility of this occurrence is dubitable in the relationship of a mother and her child. Even though, The Double and Fight Club possess varying thematic elements and motifs, the concept of identity, self-worth and the assessment of relationships as a means of exploring the characters’ anxiety and discontentment has been conducted in both the literary works. This observation revives the close association between the aspect of psychological splits and an individual’s familial and social relationships. Works Cited Palahniuk, Chuck. Fight Club: A Novel. WW Norton & Company, 2005. Saramago, Jose. "The Double, trans." Margaret Jull Costa. Orlando: Harvest, 2005. Read More