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Individuality In 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest'

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Jack Kelly Mrs. Russell AP Literature and Composition 6 April 2023 Choosing Individuality: Self-Reliance vs Societal Control in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Following his time working in a psychiatric institution, author Ken Kesey wrote his debut novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Cuckoo’s Nest (as it is often referred to) is a satirical work that tells the story of inmates in a psychiatric institution through the eyes of the narrator, “Chief” Bromden. Bromden narrates the novel as a patient caught in the power struggle for control over the ward between the feared dictator, Nurse Ratched, and the martyr and Christlike savior, Randle McMurphy. As the novel opens, Ratched has a tyrannical control of the ward, depriving patients of …show more content…

This improvement, brought about as a response to McMurphy's actions, serves as the delivery system for this message. However, Kesey's full idea that one must completely break free from oppressive societal control is not fully realized until Ratched retaliates against McMurphy. As the novel reaches its closing, McMurphy’s presence is at full effect. The men are seemingly free in the ward. They are openly laughing, drinking, and even sneaking women into the ward. They are free in the ward, but are still there and Ratched is still technically in charge. Finally after so many moments of defiance Ratched strikes the weakest member of the group, William “Billy” Bibbit by threatening to tell his mother about his sexual relations with one of the women they have been sneaking in. Bibbit, in fear of how his mother will react to this news, kills himself with medical instruments. Instead of taking responsibility for her decision, Ratched blames McMurphy for Bibbit's death, stating: “First Charles Cheswick and now William Bibbit! I hope you’re finally satisfied. Playing with human lives–gambling with human lives–as if you thought yourself to be a god!” (Kesey 318). This line exposes the hypocritical nature of the ward, as Ratched does not have a problem with people playing god, as she fills the role until McMurphy arrives. …show more content…

"Ratched and McMurphy: A Survey of Critical Commentary on the Central Characters of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, by Evans, Ipswich, Salem Press, a division of EBSCO Information Services, 2015, pp. 45-62. Kellman, Steven G. Critical Survey of American Literature. 3rd ed., Pasadena, Salem Press, 2016, pp. 1589-94. Kesey, Ken. One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest. New York City, Signet, 1963. Nilsson, Joakim. "Momism and 'Beset Manhood': Sex-Role Theory in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, by Robert C. Evans, Ipswich, Salem Press, a division of EBSCO Information Services, 2015, pp. 140-56. Simmons, David. "Heroism in One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest." Encyclopedia of Themes in Literature, Facts On File, 2020. History Research Center, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=&itemid=&articleId=38929. Accessed 21 Mar. 2023. "Oppression in One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest." Encyclopedia of Themes in Literature, Facts On File, 2020. Bloom's Literature, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=16254&itemid=WE54&articleId=38623. Accessed 21 Mar. 2023. Tanner, Stephen L. "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Ken Kesey, Boston, Twayne Pub., 1984, pp.

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