An Example Of Foreshadowing In One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

As the narration is provided by a man with a mental illness, the style of the writing is incredibly unique. The author seems to truly channel what the mind of a mentally unstable patient must be like based off of his job experience at a psychiatric ward. Kesey is able to word and connect these thoughts in an eloquent way in which the readers can appreciate. Additionally, his eloquent diction does not consist of surface-level thoughts. He writes in a manner which conveys deeper thinking and connections from the readers. For example, Kesey connects matters of the hospital to the broader concept of the human mind by writing, “Never before did I realize that mental illness could have the aspect of power, power. Think of it: perhaps the more insane a man is, the more powerful he could become. Hitler an example. Fair makes the old brain reel, doesn't it?” (Kesey 220). Though the wording of the narrator is rather proper and profound, Kesey

Foreshadowing can be found in the title of the book itself. Seeing as the book is titled One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, readers can predict that a member of the ward will escape (Chief). Another example of foreshadowing occurs earlier in the novel in which Harding speaks to McMurphy about how lobotomies are used to “cure” some patients. The talk of lobotomies foreshadows the ultimate demise of McMurphy. In addition to foreshadowings, flashbacks are frequently used. The men often reminisce on life before the ward. For example, Harding reflects back on his wife, Bibbit reflects back on time with his mother, and McMurphy remembers his days working on a farm and gambling. The use of flashbacks not only contributes to the style, but adds to the characterization of the patients as well. The implementation of these techniques helps for Kesey to create an individual style which allows him to narrate the novel from the mind of a man with a mental