Control In One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

Because of the Combine’s damaging process— in Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest— the patients of the mental ward are not fully whole in sanity or spirit. But, with McMurphy to ignite the risky spark to be free of the machine’s control, the men begin to reclaim their lives and fight against Nurse Ratched and her machine. Notably, McMurphy’s reoccurring window shattering demonstrates his attempt to free himself— and the others— from Nurse Ratched. Nurse Ratched typically watches the men from behind a sheer pane of glass. McMurphy tests Nurse Ratched’s control by “[running] his fist through [the window]” (176). Here, Kesey suggests that this glass composes the barrier of control Nurse Ratched has over the men. Oddly enough, this division is fragile and can be destroyed by McMurphy’s

“Scanlon did it in by accidentally bouncing [a] basketball through [the window]” (177). While not as physically assertive as McMurphy, the men acknowledge McMurphy as a model and begin to rebel against the Big Nurse and her mechanical institution. McMurphy breaks the glass with his fist to illustrate his deeper passion for escaping— the other men are starting to agree but they are not as fixed on freedom. Furthermore, by observing McMurphy’s power, especially over Nurse Ratched, the men understand the importance of finding themselves. McMurphy’s influence causes a seed of rebellion to grow inside the fragments of the men. As the men drive towards the ocean, they stop at a gas station so they can make the trek. The workers at the station immediately belittle the men as they are from the mental institution (therefore, they are insane). McMurphy leaves an argument with an attendant and runs to a store “to pick up some refreshments for the men” (202). He returns with alcohol and the men start drinking. After the confrontation, the service station workers comply with the requests of the