I’ve watch Fight Club numerous times. It’s one of those movies where you always find something new. The first time I watched Fight Club, I didn’t notice any of the tricks in the cinematography or any other nuances. The second time over, I started to notice hints early on in the movie that Edward Norton’s character (Now referred to as the Protagonist) had created an ‘alter ego’ named Tyler Durden. On this occasion, the movie’s portrayal of gender caught my attention.

By looking at the Protagonist’s pattern of behavior, it is clearly evident that Fight Club functions to ‘accomplish gender’. Initially, the Protagonist used to visit support groups, under the false pretense of being ill. The support groups were areas where the Protagonist could be emotional without fearing potential judgment from a society where crying may be viewed as a threat to manliness. Later on, the Protagonist stops going to support groups, and focuses on Fight Club instead.

Fight Club, is in itself a representation of toxic/hyper masculinity. During their meetings, members of Fight Club cheer on as two men fight until one taps out, conceding the other’s victory. Victory, in this sense, is neither cash nor a prize. Rather, these fights function as a proclamation of masculinity, in which the members may find catharsis.

In this way, the movie highlights how gender is a dynamic concept: something that can be ‘accomplished’ by actions and behavior. Another crucial aspect of gender is appearance. For example, Bob was a man who had developed breasts due to complications with testicular cancer. During one of the support group sessions, Bob says to the Protagonist that, ‘We’re still men’. For Bob, participating in Fight Club was a way to reclaim his masculinity while dealing with changes with his body.

There are countless other examples which could be linked to gender. Overall, this movie highlights the social construction of gender and the dangers that arise from trying to use a dichotomy to categorize human behavior.