One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest

1012 Words5 Pages
In the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Ken Kesey, the author, symbolizes the oppressive nature of 1950’s American society in a psychiatric ward. With an exquisite sense of humour, the author presents a micro-society with its set of well imposed conformist protocols and a small political community, striken with a dictatorship hiding behind a veil of democratic practices. Beneath the surface of the plot, there is an intricately woven context of power (or the abuse of it), social determinism, efficacy and participation. The characters themselves can be seen as metaphors of society as well. For instance, McMurphy represents rebellion and deliverance against an institution of mindless conformity. On the other hand, Chief Bromden remains silent and pretends to be mute to deflect attention, showing conformism. On a symbolic level, Nurse Ratched is deemed as the system, the ultimate authority demanding obedience and perfect order from everyone, and under a democratic façade, commanding even how every patient should conduct themselves. First, McMurphy not only defies authority whenever possible, but he also incites others to rebel as well. Since the very beginning he challenges the system in many subtle ways, by demanding changes of the ward policies more in tune with his interest, such as watching the World Series or getting the toothpaste unlocked. Later on, he encourages gambling in the ward, attempts to lift the control panel, and even fights with the aides in order to save his colleague George from getting humiliated. This particular incident gives Nurse Rached the perfect excuse to punish him with electroshock therapy, that he could avoid by admitting he were wrong. Nevertheless, McMurphy is too stubborn to accept those terms, he sticks to his grounds, which is quite admirable, but pointless, as there is no real cause except a useless attempt to prove himself
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