Examples Of Cruelty In One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
Frequently used in literature as a motivator, cruelty often compels characters to reach a goal. While most books portray cruelty as an ineffective way of realizing one's desires, with inhumane antagonists being routinely beaten by moral protagonists, Ken Kesey’s novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest portrays cruelty in a contrasting lens: as a tool that allows one to fulfill their plans at the expense of their morality. Characters who act wickedly are portrayed as evil, yet they are the ones who ultimately triumph in the story. The novel’s victims of cruelty all succumb to demotivation and fear, granting cruelty’s wielders more success. Through its overwhelming power, cruelty positions itself as the most efficient path to success.
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Putting others down is easier than improving oneself, and by cruelly choosing to disable our opposition through insults and shaming, one can achieve their goals with ease. This idea is echoed throughout Ms. Ratched’s therapeutic meetings, where she shames patients into submission, giving her the power to mold her ward to her liking. Furthermore, by sacrificing one's morality for self-benefit, as seen when government officials cheat and manipulate Chief Bromden’s people into selling their land, one can take advantage of opportunities for cruel self-growth that would have been impossible if one would have followed their moral compass. Moreover, one can take the successful path of cruelty by understanding that fear is a more powerful emotion than love, and then cruelly using fear to get what they want, just as Ms. Ratched used Billy’s fear to realize her goal of tearing his and McMurphy’s relationship apart. Cruelty is the tool that allows one to pursue their dreams, though only if they are strong or cold enough to wield it. This begs the question: why would most religions, fables, and platitudes advocate for kindness and compassion if it robs us of success? Perhaps, as Harding put it, it is to keep people as docile rabbits and let the cruel, but strong wolves
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