One Flew Over the Cuckoo's nest

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey is a story of nonconformity as humankind struggles against the ruling powers that control society. Its narration, by a ten-year Oregon psychiatric patient Chief Bromden, chronicles the subordinate lives of fellow mental patients, focusing much of the attention on the newly instated Randle McMurphy. Bromden notes McMurphy’s radical behaviour and oppositional nature, particularly towards the strict and controlling Nurse Ratched, as well as his ability to stimulate rebellion among other patients in the ward. At first both McMurphy and Nurse Ratched willingly engage in conflict by trying to overthrow each other ‘s power. Eventually, however, McMurphy realizes that he is fighting a losing battle as Nurse Ratched and her staff determines the patients’ ultimate fate. McMurphy attempts to alter his behaviour by complying with Nurse Ratched’s requests only to discover that his unique makeup will not allow him to do so. As a result McMurphy falls prey to Ratched’s victimization as she has him lobotomized; thereby; confining him to a vegetative state. In this way, control is maintained and reinforced by authorities in positions of power.

McMurphy opposing nature lends support to his authenticity as a developing character. At first he appears as a rebellious figure who not only acts as he wishes, but causes others to do so as well. His typical, ongoing disobedient behaviour enables him to resist being controlled by others, particularly Nurse Ratched. Although through stong effort to blend into the status quo, McMurphy gives in by natural nature and attempts to kill Nurse Ratched. After this affair Nurse Ratched lays down the law by giving McMurphy a lobotomized. Destroying his rightful mind of thinking.

Throughout “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” there were various quotes that appealed to me and those that were meaning full. When McMurphy initially comes to the hospital he quickly lays down the law saying he is number one man. I thought this was meaning full because he took what he wanted without questions and that’s respectable. Also when he organized the fishing trip, it gave those men their manhood back by being free and realing in fish by themselves and no one to tell them what to do. I also like this scene because of the freedom they got and how they were show life outside the hospital.