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One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest Manipulation Analysis

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Manipulation and the struggle for control in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
In “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” by Ken Kesey, the role of manipulation is integral to showing the complexities of each character, and creates a set of standards in which right and wrong become indistinguishable in a human struggle for dignity and survival. The characters of McMurphy and Nurse Ratched show this most vividly, and the complex combination of manipulation and a human lust for survival come together in the end, in which the dignity of all involved is compromised. As a strategy of self-preservation and a grab for power,, manipulation comprises both good and evil: both the deep human need to survive and the deep human desire to maintain control. This is shown through McMurphy’s manipulation of the other patients, Nurse Ratched 's manipulation of everyone, and the patients manipulation of McMurphy.
McMurphy has a seemingly paradoxical character: a hero and a leader, and also a gambler and a rapist… and a master manipulator. When he first enters the scene, he makes his intentions loud and clear. “Yessir, that’s what I came to this establishment for, to bring you birds fun and entertainment around the gamin’ table…. I requested a transfer, ya see. Needed some new blood… I’ll trim you babies like little lambs.”(12) He was tired of working, so he figured that he could use the hospital as an escape. While there, he planned to manipulate the wards into gambling with him, and winning all of
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