For example, on their fishing excursion McMurphy “knows [they] have to laugh at the things that hurt... to keep the world from running plumb crazy… he’ll let the humor blot out the pain” (Kesey 250). Accepting the absurdity and adopting a sense of humor is important to get through the negative and spread laughter and joy rather than accept the dull fate of ordinary life. McMurphy acts as a savior who brings happiness and vibrant life to the patients by exposing them to laughter and humor. McMurphy gives confidence to the
Chief Bromden believes that McMurphy is " a giant who [came] from the sky to save us fromt he combime." Nurse Ratched is the woman in control at the mental institute who is oppressive and dehumanizing. She has absolute control over everyone. In a way, Ratched knows the patients better than they know themselves and she uses that to her
The hospital ward is controlled and dominated by Nurse Ratched, who has over the years gained enough power to now control every thing and person in the ward. She runs the ward—outfit—like a “smooth, accurate, precision-made machine”(22). She is intolerant of any deviation or variation from the regiment that she has been accustomed to imposing. She manipulates the ward by using a perfect system of punishments, rewards and interpersonal conflict. For example, Chief tells about how she will reward the inmates with extra sleep in the mornings if they rat on each other by writing down information in Nurse Ratched’s logbook.
Chief hears it and remarks it as the “...first laugh I’ve heard in years.” (Kesey 12) This moment is significant because it initiates laughter in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest as a symbol of strength. As previously explained, McMurphy has resolve the patients do not, thus granting him the ability to laugh boldly and unadulterated exemplified in “He laughs til he’s finished for a time … Even when he isn’t laughing, that laughing sound hovers around him, the way sound hovers around a big bell that just quit ringing-it’s in his eyes, in the way he smiles and swaggers, in the way he talks” (12). This quote demonstrates the symbolism of laughter, because like the way McMurphy exudes strength, he is also emblematically exuding laughter, thus further connecting the two. The reason Chief can’t recall a “real” laugh is because he, Billy Bibbit, Harding, and all the other men have never felt strong enough under the nurse’s rule. She controls the men through her manipulative and authoritarian attitude, creating an atmosphere of unease, consequently making the idea of laughter completely unfathomable to the patients seen in “The air pressed in by the walls too tight for laughing.” She is able to belittle the men to the point that she chips away at their self esteem and self image proven by the fact Chief believes he is a small man,
Drummond wants a evolution meeting, but the judge doesn’t let him. Not only was Brown ignorant toward Drummond, but the audience watching Brady speak show ignorance. They show this when Brady collapses. Stage directions say, “THere seems to be some violent, volcanic upheaval within him. His lower lips quivers, his eyes stare.
Nurse Ratched appears to be caring and well intentioned but she may still believe strongly that in spoiling McMurphy plans for change and various other schemes she is acting for the greater good of her patients. However, when McMurphy challenges against her she become even more "dangerous", she shows her resilience against his plans and doesn 't flinch from taking measures to ensure continued devotion to the rules she has set. Indeed it is only at the end that we see just how far she will go to enforce her authority which include the rules set by her for the ward, leaving aside individual patients interests; rights and welfare merely in an effort to establish her own position as the head of the
Since, they were not fighting for self respect and empowerment. Mcmurphy passed around the girls knowing they would not mind it. Nurse Ratched however, is a role which is consistent with my view of women in the 1960’s. Since, she was powerful,and did not let the men belittle her. The movie represents the issues of sexism and authority issues.
Just from Chief observing how McMurphy interacts with the other patients, he subconsciously warmed up to McMurphy and felt comfortable around him, therefore feeling comfortable enough to subconsciously tell him ‘Thank you’ for the random act of kindness towards him. Though from the first time McMurphy met Chief, he suspected that Chief was fully capable of understanding and comprehending what was going on in his surroundings. “‘Well, what the hell, he can shake hands, can’t he? Deef or whatever. By God, Chief, you may be big, but you shake my hand or I’ll consider it an insult .
Also the hospital, run mostly by women, treat only male patients. We see that through Nurse Ratched's administration, the ability they have to emasculate even the manliest and strongest men. An example of this could be when a patient named Rawler commits suicide by cutting off his own testicles. Chief then says, "all he had to do
Since Ralph thought to use the conch as a speaking system, the conch represents his leadership and authority over the boys. It also represents his authority because he is the only boy that does not need the conch to speak. The conch is a part of his authority that is being shared with the boys when it is their chance to voice an opinion or idea. In addition, Ralph does not specify that the conch can only be used by a specific group of boys, rather the conch is available for any boy, therefore representing equality and respect for all boys. Furthermore, the conch represents civilization back in England with its rules and structure.