Fight Club (Project Mayhem)

Project Mayhem in the novel Fight Club is the continuation of the initial rebellious organization known as "Fight Club." This organization is started in response to society's obsession with material values and status. Tyler Durden, the alter ego initially seen by the protagonist as a physically separate person, is at the head first of Fight Club and also the one to start Project Mayhem. It is interesting to note that, despite its rebellion against conventional values and rules, both organizations are governed by its own set of regulations.

It is interesting to note the parallels between the rules for Fight Club and Project Mayhem. Fight Club is governed by eight rules, while Project Mayhem has only five, for example. This could signify the gradually increasing distance between the members of the club and the society they seek to destroy. Furthermore, the repetition of the first rule for each club is significant. The rule for Fight Club focuses on secrecy. The purpose of the club is also to give its members a vent for their frustration with the world.

Project Mayhem on the other hand focuses outwardly towards society, rather than the members of the organization. The secrecy of Project Mayhem has evolved to being a secret even from its own members, and particularly from the protagonist, suggested by its first and repeated rule "You do not ask questions." This also suggests that Project Mayhem is a far more sinister entity than its predecessor, in that the rules no longer focus on the safety of its members. Instead the focus here is on utmost secrecy and trust.

The complete obedience and trust required by the third to fifth rules then form the basis from which Project Mayhem aims to destroy all the elements of society against which Fight Club was a rebellion. It is only by disobeying, asking questions and relinquishing his trust of Tyler that the protagonist is able to overcome his own destruction, if not the destruction of society as it is known at the time.