How is a Sense of Tension Created in Chapter 1 of 'Fight Club'?
Chuck Palahniuk, a specialist in showing readers the most raw, unpolished portrayal of human flaws imaginable, is undoubtedly an expert in creating tension in his writing. A strong sense of tension is created in the first chapter, mainly due to the confusion the author has created, caused by a lack of information given to the readers. The fact that readers can witness the narrator’s stream of consciousness allows them no additional information, and only adds to how unclear the whole situation is. The narrator’s thoughts give almost no context concerning the events that are taking place, which, one could argue, is a key way in which the author creates tension.
The Parker-Morris building will go over, all one hundred and ninety-one floors, slow as a tree falling in the forest. Timber. You can topple anything. It’s weird to think the place where we’re standing will only be a point in the sky. Tyler and me at the edge of the roof, the gun in my mouth, I’m wondering how clean this gun is. (Palahniuk, 13)
The way the protagonist describes the destruction of the building doesn’t tell readers much about how he is feeling or thinking in the moment, and the way that he changes the topic so abruptly and repeatedly makes it even harder for readers to follow the story. The phrase “slow as a tree falling in the forest” is an example of a simile that serves the purpose of comparing the destruction of the Parker-Morris building to cutting down a tree. The use of the word “timber” here further supports the comparison being made between blowing up the building and a tree falling after being cut down. This comparison may indicate that the narrator feels some excitement about bringing down the building, which is not something readers would expect. This emotion conflicting with the situation only adds to the level of confusion, and therefore, tension, of this chapter. By including the method of limited narration, Palahniuk has ensured that readers stay curious and unclear on the situation. Additionally, it is extremely clear throughout the chapter that stream of consciousness is being used, especially when the narrator reflects on the cleanliness of the gun immediately after explaining different ways of making napalm. By providing readers with the ability to witness the protagonist’s stream of consciousness, it allows readers to experience the same emotions he may be feeling in this chapter. As someone with a background in journalism, Palahniuk’s work tends to focus on the vast spectrum of human emotions and explores the darker side of human psychology and behaviour. Perhaps the excitement expressed by the protagonist in this chapter is an example of Palahniuk demonstrating the imperfect nature of human beings, as he often does.
Work Cited
Palahniuk, Chuck. Fight Club: A Novel. WW Norton, 2018.
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