I think that one of the themes out of the book is that
solidarity amongst men is extremely important to identity. It is interesting to hear the author
describe his own endeavor:
...bookstores were full of books
like The Joy
Luck Club and The Divine Secrets
of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and How to Make an American
Quilt. These were all novels that presented a social model for women to be
together. But there was no novel that presented a new social model for men to share their
lives.
Palahnuik's argument is an interesting one. Society
cannot function without its individuals feeling some level of connection or solidarity to one
another. For so long, men have had this and taken it for granted. It was almost understood that
men would "retire" for cigars and brandy or meet at the local bar and hang. Over time, a social
understanding has emerged that the same element is needed for women. "Girls' night out" or
similar practices helps to reaffirm the need for social connections on the women side of the
equation. Palahnuik's argument and a critical theme that is to emerge from it is that men have
lost that element of social connection. While the idea of men beating each other up to enhance
social solidarity might not be exactly what is being advocated, the theme of the work in its
suggestion that men need to find comfort in one another's collective setting is a theme that
emerges from the work.
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