Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

'We all end up mutilated': Bodily destruction and self-mutilation in the first three novels by Chuck Palahniuk

Eyjólfsson, Jakob LU (2022) ENGX54 20212
English Studies
Abstract
In this essay, I explore the motifs of bodily destruction and self-mutilation in the first three novels of American author Chuck Palahniuk: Fight Club (1996), Survivor (1999) and Invisible Monsters (1999). These motifs are prevalent throughout the author’s work and are particularly noteworthy in how detailed and graphic the novels are. In analysing the ways in which the characters of these novels engage in a variety of different self-destructive and self-mutilating behaviours, I seek to identify the thematic significance and narrative purpose of self-mutilation in Chuck Palahniuk’s work. I argue that, by engaging in fist fights, excessive exercise, use of steroids, suicide, extensive plastic surgery and deliberate facial disfigurement, the... (More)
In this essay, I explore the motifs of bodily destruction and self-mutilation in the first three novels of American author Chuck Palahniuk: Fight Club (1996), Survivor (1999) and Invisible Monsters (1999). These motifs are prevalent throughout the author’s work and are particularly noteworthy in how detailed and graphic the novels are. In analysing the ways in which the characters of these novels engage in a variety of different self-destructive and self-mutilating behaviours, I seek to identify the thematic significance and narrative purpose of self-mutilation in Chuck Palahniuk’s work. I argue that, by engaging in fist fights, excessive exercise, use of steroids, suicide, extensive plastic surgery and deliberate facial disfigurement, the characters are reckoning with identity, agency and determinism. For these characters, I conclude, self-mutilation can be either a result of their helplessness and lack of agency, or a way to assert their own agency and identity. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Eyjólfsson, Jakob LU
supervisor
organization
course
ENGX54 20212
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Chuck Palahniuk Fight Club Survivor Invisible Monsters Self-Mutilation Self-Destruction Mutilation Disfigurement Determinism Free Will
language
English
id
9073756
date added to LUP
2022-01-27 15:59:57
date last changed
2022-01-27 15:59:57
@misc{9073756,
  abstract     = {{In this essay, I explore the motifs of bodily destruction and self-mutilation in the first three novels of American author Chuck Palahniuk: Fight Club (1996), Survivor (1999) and Invisible Monsters (1999). These motifs are prevalent throughout the author’s work and are particularly noteworthy in how detailed and graphic the novels are. In analysing the ways in which the characters of these novels engage in a variety of different self-destructive and self-mutilating behaviours, I seek to identify the thematic significance and narrative purpose of self-mutilation in Chuck Palahniuk’s work. I argue that, by engaging in fist fights, excessive exercise, use of steroids, suicide, extensive plastic surgery and deliberate facial disfigurement, the characters are reckoning with identity, agency and determinism. For these characters, I conclude, self-mutilation can be either a result of their helplessness and lack of agency, or a way to assert their own agency and identity.}},
  author       = {{Eyjólfsson, Jakob}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{'We all end up mutilated': Bodily destruction and self-mutilation in the first three novels by Chuck Palahniuk}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}