KeseyS

Kesey.S “One Flew Over The Cuckoo.S Nest” & Mcmurphy`S “Nurse Ratched” Essay, Research Paper

Ken Kesey’s masterpiece novel One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest uses many themes, symbols, and imagery to illustrate the reality of the lives of a group of mental patients. The element of control is a central, arguably the largest, and the most important theme in the novel. The element of control revolves around the two main characters of the novel, Randle P. McMurphy, and Nurse Ratched. These two characters are the exact antithesis of each other, and they both seek to get their own way. They both realize that in order to get their own way, they must gain control over their rival and the ward. McMurphy and Nurse Ratched have different methods of attaining and using what control they have. They have different motives for seeking control over others. They also have different perceptions of the amount of control they possess. Throughout the novel, these two characters engulf themselves in an epic struggle for the most control. This struggle for control proves to be futile for both characters as they watch what control they thought had collapse like a house of cards. The element of control in Cuckoo’s Nest contains a certain definition. Control as it applies to the characters in Cuckoo’s Nest means that one character has substantial influence over the actions of another character. This control can influence another character’s attitudes, emotions, reactions, or even how they live their day-to-day life. The character of Chief Bromden provides an excellent example of how strong an influence control has over a character in Cuckoo’s Nest. The Chief has multiple delusions in which he imagines society as a dreadful machine he calls ‘The Combine’. The Chief believes The Combine uses several machines (Nurse Ratched being one of the most powerful) to make people conform to its idea of order. One machine that The Chief mentions frequently is the ‘Fog Machine’, which creates fog that confuses and controls his perception of reality. The Chief does not mind this fog all the time, because it provides him with an escape from interaction with other people, particularly those who would make life worse for him. Sometimes, the Chief actually welcomes the thick fog. “And I’m glad when it gets thick enough you’re lost in it and can let go, and be safe again.” (Kesey, 101) By welcoming the fog, The Chief is allowing The Combine to control his conception of safety and security. Randle Patrick McMurphy Characters with the ability to influence others through control in Cuckoo’s Nest do not always abuse their control for undignified reasons like Nurse Ratched. There are characters that use their ability to control for noble purposes, which sometimes provide a great deal of benefit to other characters. Randle Patrick McMurphy, the rebellious main character of Cuckoo’s Nest, provides the best example of a character using his control for noble purposes. R.P. McMurphy is one of the most memorable and heroic characters in modern fiction. The most basic description of him is a rebellious and noble con man. His goals during his stay at the mental ward are to serve out his time while making a little money on the side. His quest for control begins on his first day in the ward. His initial motive for his desire of control is quite selfish. He recognizes Nurse Ratched’s control by observing how she influences all of the Acutes to work against each other during a group meeting. He remarks to the other patients, “Is this the usual pro-cedure for these group ther’py shindigs. Bunch a chickens at a peckin’ party.” (Kesey, 55) Afterwards, McMurphy places a bet with some of the Acutes that he can “get her (Nurse Ratched’s) goat” which is an allegory for aggravating her and they by controlling how she handles her temper. He feels that if he can control Nurse Ratched, he can also influence (control) other patients to gamble with him. McMurphy then begins his epic battle with Nurse Ratched. He defies ward polices by taking an early morning shower and brushing his teeth before Nurse Ratched arrives at the ward. When she does arrive, she is angered with him, but does not let it show to anyone. Nurse Ratched even keeps her cool when McMurphy deliberately tries to set her off when he removes his towel only to reveal his flashy boxer shorts. “She can’t have them (the patients) see her face like this, white and warped with fury. She uses all the power of control that’s in her, and gradually the lips gather together again under her little white nose.” (Kesey, 90) McMurphy continues his relentless pursuit of control over Nurse Ratched. He manages to influence Dr. Spivey, into opening the tub room for the patients during the daytime. McMurphy influencing Spivey, who is regularly under The Big Nurses’ control, sparks her temper again but again she regains herself before she expresses anger. The dam finally breaks when and McMurphy gains control over Nurse Ratched’s temper, when he rebels against ward policy of watching the World Series. He narrowly falls one vote shy of changing the policy, and he responds to the vote by sitting down and pretending to watch the World Series when he is actually watching a blank screen. When other patients join in on McMurphy’s rebellion, Nurse Ratched explodes in anger. She tries to use her control over the other patients to get them to stop ‘watching’ the game, but it does not work because the patients ignore her. He