Conflict Theory in Film

Introduction

Conflict theory is a sociological perspective that emphasizes the role of power and inequality in shaping social relations and structures. As Ritzer (2011) points out, conflict theory was an attempt to bridge the gap between Marxism and sociological theoryand it served as a response to the structural functionalism (p. 215). While there are similarities between conflict theory and structural functionalism, the former is a kind of inversion of the latter, or as Ritzer (2011) puts it, a kind of structural functionalism turned on its head (p. 265). According to conflict theory, society is divided into different groups with competing interests, and conflicts arise from the unequal distribution of resources and power (Tajfel & Turner, 2006). Those with power and influence seek to marginalize and oppress those without power; the goal of those with power is to maintain power; the goal of those without power is to push back and take power. To put it simply, society, interpreted through this lens, is seen as a game of tug of war, with a dominant power and an underdog at odds. (In this sense, conflict theory could be described as a precursor to game theory). Ultimately, however, conflict theory posits that conflicts are not resolved through compromise or negotiation, but through struggle and often through violence. Real world examples could range from the American Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement, and so on. This paper will use conflict theory to examine the film Fight Club and show how the theory applies.

The Film

In the movie Fight Club, there are many examples of conflict theory in action. The main character, played by Edward Norton, is a nameless young man who is disillusioned with his life and his job. He suffers considerably as he is unable to sleep, feels emotionally disconnected from the world, lives an unfulfilling life working a corporate job that devalues human life and cynically puts profits before people. He unconsciously or instinctively feels that he is trapped in a society that values material possessions and conformity over individuality and freedom (and although he cannot express this feeling in words at the outset of the film, it does become more apparent to him as time goes on). Through his involvement with his foil/alter-ego Tyler Durden (played by Brad Pitt), the nameless hero (nicknamed Jack in the credits) becomes part of a group of men (the titular fight club) who end up violently rejecting the norms and values of the elitist, corporatist consumer culture and seek to establish a new society based on their own values. In one sense, they believe they are reclaiming their masculinity in a society that promotes emasculation. In another sense, they are lashing out against their perceived oppressors. And in still yet another sense they are face a conflict within themselves that is also bigger than themselves: as Durden remarks at one point, Our great wars a spiritual war (Fincher, 1999).

Essentially, however, at the heart of the conflict in Fight Club is the tension between the haves and have-nots. The fight club grows across the nation, with underground clubs being spawned at bars and other places in city after city as the hero of the film literally takes flight after flight to promote his vision for the future of working class men everywhere. The members of this growing club are mostly working-class men who feel oppressed by the wealthy elite. They see the consumer culture as a tool used by the rich to control the masses and maintain their power. By rejecting consumerism and embracing violence, they hope to create a new society in which everyone is equal and free. Durden preaches anti-consumerist messages to the members of the club: You are not your khaki pants. You are not special. You are the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world (Fincher, 1999). At another point in the film, the nameless narrator blackmails his corporate boss into allowing him to work remotely in perpetuity by keeping silent about all the nasty secrets he has learned over the course of his tenure at...…members of Fight Club are predominantly working-class men who are rebelling against the middle-class values and lifestyle that they see as oppressive and restrictive. Tyler represents a figure of resistance against the dominant ideology of consumerism and conformity, and his creation of Fight Club is a way of reclaiming power and control for the working class.

The basic assumptions of conflict theory are that society is characterized by conflict, domination, and exploitation, and that social change occurs through the struggle between different groups for control over resources and power. The underlying argument of conflict theory is that social inequality and power imbalances are inherent features of society, and that they can only be addressed through radical social change (Ritzer, 2011).

Through the lens of conflict theory, Fight Club can be seen as a critique of the dominant ideology of consumerism and conformity, and as a rebellion against the social order that perpetuates social inequality and power imbalances. The members of Fight Club are united in their frustration and anger at the system that has denied them opportunities and relegated them to the margins of society. Tyler represents a figure of resistance against the dominant ideology of consumerism and conformity, and his creation of Fight Club is a way of reclaiming power and control for the working class.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Fight Club can be analyzed through the lens of conflict theory, which emphasizes the role of power and inequality in shaping social relations and structures. The movie portrays a world in which the struggle for power and equality can become violent and destructive, and it raises important questions about the nature of social conflict and the role of violence in bringing about social change. Applying conflict theory to the film Fight Club provides a deeper understanding of the social and cultural forces that shape the characters and their actions. It highlights the role of power, social inequality, and class struggle in shaping social relations, and emphasizes the need for radical social change in order to address the inherent inequalities and imbalances of power that…