Posted by Semper Fi on January 03, 2001 at 18:48:06:
In Reply to: Narcissism and Fight Club posted by Thornsword on January 02, 2001 at 01:15:11:
: I didn't think you were planning to gun anyone down. That is just the extreme example of type 5/schizoid rage fantasies that occasionally seem to find there way into real life. Every personality type has levels of health but the central issues and means of compensating are of a consistant thread.
: But perhaps we should talk about narcissistic injury, the false self, and retalitory rage? Based on your statement, I don't think you are a narcissist in the disordered sense but you may find yourself on that continuum of issues.
: :Don't you think Fight Club was a good example of the sadist/masochist split in young men of today?
: There are two kinds of sadist/masochist: the self-defeating social masochist (type 6) and the self-punishing narcissist (type 4/type 3). In Fight Club, I think we are truly seeing the self-punishing narcissist who is literally splitting his false self (Tyler Durden played by Brad Pitt) from his weak ego (unnamed character played by Edward Norton). In seeking out support groups, the weak ego is seeking the missing love of the "mother". The false self is functional in every way the weak ego is not and acts, not only as a protector of the weak self via retalitory rage against society (the great unloving mother), but also serves to continue the punishment and rejection the weak self is accustomed to receiving. Did you personally identify with these characters? (Not to be confused with experiencing a thrill from the nearly pornographic level of violence.)
: What does this say about young men today? Speaking from a large scale cultural standpoint, a lot of unrealistic promises are made to boys and unrealistic expectations placed on boys. As in, if you deny yourself and fill the image of the strong capable man, you will be rewarded with wealth, high status, and success. When that promise is unfulfilled, young men experience narcissistic injury, resulting in two reactions: rage against the injuring "mother" (society) and self-punishment of the weak ego. Yes, I think, generally speaking, some kind of social narcissism is pervasive among young men today. Unfortunately, modern culture is a very cold mother.
Actually I did identify with some of the characters that Edward Norton was consumed with. It has to do I think with the way I was brought up to be tough, to rely on myself, always respect your elders and superiors,always say thank you, put others first before yourself, stand up for others when they can't. My friends see me this way and so I try to live up to it the best I can. But its like there is this whole other side of me that they never know about. It's like I seem to have another group of friends and acquaintences that they will never meet. And when they do I get critisized from both sides for hanging out with losers. Not to mention going to the bar with the guys from work every other evening.