Examples Of Power In One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

Alyssa DeFields Ms. Kozak-Schuster AP Lit 23 April 2024 If I Had Nurse Ratched’s Gift Of Power. I Would Use It To Not Write This Essay. In societies where social hierarchy reigns supreme, those in high social positions wield significant power over others. In the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest written by Ken Kesey, this dynamic is explored as characters utilize their status as a foundation for controlling the lives of those beneath them. However, Kesey also illustrates the limitations of this power, as it often doesn’t endure. The novel follows male patients at an Oregon psychiatric hospital who are in the hands of Nurse Ratched, who uses her power to enforce unethical rules on her patients to succeed in maintaining control. However,

The gift of Nurse Ratched’s tremendous authority in the early stages of the novel is introduced as a desirable power, as it establishes a sense of order and stability within the institution. Nurse Ratched’s authority initially serves her well as it acts as a potent deterrent against one of her rebellious patients, McMurphy, who repeatedly tends to challenge her power. Because of this, McMurphy describes her reputation to the patients as the “wolf of the ward” and themselves as submissive rabbits. This metaphorical scene paints a vivid picture of Nurse Ratched’s power dynamics at play, allowing her to instill a palpable sense of caution within the patient to maintain her high position. Additionally, this cautious environment serves Nurse Ratched well, as it ensures that her directives are followed and disruptions are minimized to reinforce her dominant role within the institution. This discerning fear continues as Taber, another one of her patients, is forced to receive electroshock therapy after refusing to bow to her

When Nurse Ratched catches Billy Bibbit, a patient with dependent personality disorder, sneaking a prostitute into the ward, she exploits her immense power to intimidate him. Threatening to report his actions while he is vulnerable, she creates a menacing ultimatum. In a desperate attempt to avoid the consequences, Billy takes his own life by cutting his throat. This incident marks a pivotal moment, revealing a shift from control to chaos in the ward as Nurse Ratched’s overwhelming power becomes a burden, leading to the loss of control over Billy. Furthermore, this underscores the harmful effects of her authoritarianism, exposing the repercussions of her misuse of power and leading to outbreaks of rebellion against Nurse Ratched’s authority. As Bromden observes the mental toll her rule has taken over the ward, he decides he wants to become a free man and rebels by escaping through a control panel. This places a significant burden on Nurse Ratched, as she faces the consequences of patient loss due to her unethical