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Power Dynamics In One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

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The film, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, has been categorized as an impactful movie and changed the way many individuals think about certain topics that still remain an issue within society. The way that it was most impactful was the way that it reflected and took an approach to power dynamics. The perspective of power dynamics throughout this film could be very similar to mental healthcare institutions or other institutions spread across the nation. The power dynamic is what defines this movie as a whole. The authority figure would be Nurse Ratched and the oppressed would be the patients that seek help for their mental illnesses. The way that Nurse Ratched abuses her power is her constant attempt to emasculate the men that attend that institution. For instance, in the film, Nurse Ratched repeatedly reminds her patients that they are “weak” and “unmanly”, further diminishing their masculinity, and making them feel inclined to give in to her commands. Along with this, this film has allowed awareness about mental illness to spread and has changed a multitude of perspectives about mental illness. This movie allowed individuals to feel more empathetic …show more content…

In this scene, the patients decide to go on a fishing trip, which is a huge change in routine for them. These patients are used to following a strict and set routine. This change allowed them to participate in an activity that they felt was exciting and joyous. This trip, compared to their stay at the mental health institution, was much different due to their change in freedom. While on this trip, they were not under anyone’s rule, and they were able to do what they wanted. They weren’t restricted the same way they are in the institution. This gave them a sense of freedom and provided them with the chance to have a sense of self and establish their

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With this in mind, she does not hesitate to exercise her power on the psych ward. Furthermore, Kesey characterizes Nurse Ratched as the antithesis to Randle McMurphy. In the Chief’s mind, he can “smell the machinery inside the way that you smell a motor” (Kesey 4). This statement further shows how the people of the asylum see her as a regent and connects her to the Combine. Nurse Ratched controls every aspect of the patients’ daily lives.

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