Theme Of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

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A main theme in Ken Keesey’s One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest is rebellion. In the book, rebellious actions by the main character, Randle Patrick McMurphy, representing the carnival side of society, goes against the Big Nurse who represent the strict chains of society. However, what I find ironic is the fact that a woman, in fact the most feminine character in the book, is the enemy or the oppressor. During the 1950’s this was the complete opposite. The feminist movement hadn’t taken a prominent standing yet and men were in power. Women were viewed through the male gaze. So why did Keesey portray the men as being controlled? I believe that he wanted his book to show off all of the social unjust during his period but decided to put a spin on

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