One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest By Ken Kesey

Rough Draft: Theme Analysis Section All great works of literature evince a plethora of thematic messages. Specifically, author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Ken Kesey chose to tell a story filled with many thematic messages. Throughout the novel, Kesey ensures to bring light to the idea that women are dangerous as leaders as they strip individuals of their identity. In fact, literary critic, Terrence Martin, says “Women in the novel, one comes to see, are powerful forces of control” (Martin). The constant emasculating treatment from Nurse Ratched and other women in the novel forces men into a constant struggle to find their manhood. In particular, the main characters, Chief Bromden and Randle Mcmurphy, show an intense loss of identity

Semi-Conscious patient, Dale Harding, expresses his fear of a matriarchal takeover as he tells McMurphy that it is impossible for Nurse Ratched to get fired. The supervisor, who is in charge of the ward’s employees, is anonymous, but it is known that she is a close friend of Nurse Ratched (Martin). Additionally, Harding does not have a good relationship with his wife, Vera, who alludes to infidelity with his friends. Although Nurse Ratched is a dangerous woman who mistreats Harding, he is hesitant to leave because he does not want to face his wife, who holds an intense power over him (Martin). Furthermore, Billy Bibbit is a shy and insecure patient whose peculiar nature stems from the overbearing treatment of his mother. Although thirty-one years old, Billy’s mother refuses to accept the fact that she is the mother of a grown man. He hopes to finally find a wife and go to college, however she refuses to allow him to succeed (Martin). Eventually, Billy Bibbit is found with Candy, which leaves Nurse Ratched with the ability to maintain her power by threatening to tell Billy’s mother. After a demasculating conversation with Nurse Ratched, Billy commits suicide