How we cite our quotes: (Chapter. Paragraph)
Quote #1
Push a button. (1.10-1.12)
Mindlessly obeying rules creates a pretty meaningless existence. You turn the page, you wash your hands.
Quote #2
You can topple anything. (1.25)
This tiny sentence is technically describing explosives and skyscrapers, but we're pretty sure it's meant to go a bit deeper. Wouldn't you say Tyler Durden believes that the same can be applied to any system of rules or social hierarchy?
Quote #3
You'll never hear anyone say "parasite." Everybody is always getting better. (4.5)
Sugar-coating is one of those unwritten rules of polite society. Even in the support groups full of people confronting death, they still use euphemisms to dance around the grim truth.
Quote #4
May I never be complete.
May I never be content.
May I never be perfect.
Deliver me, Tyler, from being perfect and complete. (5.84-5.87)
The intention behind most rules is to give order, to bring things as close to perfection as possible. But our narrator doesn't want that anymore. The rules he has to abide by create an artificially imposed perfection. He wants a perfection of his own.
Quote #5
The first rule about fight club is you don't talk about fight club. (6.6)
Fight club and Project Mayhem may seem to be about total anarchy, but they have a structure. And rule #1? Don't talk about it. (Oops.)
Quote #6
That's the third rule in fight club, when someone says stop, or goes limp, even if he's just faking it, the fight is over. Every time you see this kid, you can't tell him what a great fight he had. (6.14)
How about this one? It looks like fight club is based on personal accomplishment, not recognition by others. It's pretty much the opposite of how Tyler views his current society.
Quote #7
Tyler goes to gyms and hotels and claims clothing out of the lost and found. This is better than Marla, who goes to Laundromats to steal jeans out of the dryers and sell them at twelve dollars a pair to those places that buy used jeans. (11.29)
It's not just men who can subvert the rules. Marla often steals from the more fortunate and gives to, well, herself. And yes, this means she's leaving perfect strangers pantsless.
Quote #8
"Recycling and speed limits are bulls***. [...] They're like someone who quits smoking on his deathbed." (16.73)
Tyler doesn't see any reason for rules when the planet is already so far gone. Is it possible to reverse the damage done to the planet? And if so, can it be done with increased legislation and regulation? Our guy sure knows his answer.
Quote #9
Even a week after fight club, you've got no problem driving inside the speed limit. [...] You get the finger from other drivers. Total strangers hate you. It's absolutely nothing personal. After fight club, you're so relaxed, you just cannot care. (18.27)
How's this for a paradox? The members of fight club fighting against the system by obeying the rules. Stick it to the man; drive the speed limit!