FREE ESSAY ON ONE FLEW OVER CUCKOOS NEST

ONE FLEW OVER CUCKOOS NEST

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
By Ken Kesey
1. How would you describe your main character? Become his "voice" and write about who he
believes they are. 
I might frighten some of you at first, and others may think of me as some crazy man who
has no business living in a normal society. Well, if you thought any of those, you're
wrong. I, Randle McMurphy, might have gotten in four or five fights and have been in jail
and the work farm for sometime, but I feel that it is necessary to get certain ideas
across to people and violence is usually the only way to do that. However, speaking about
the crazy part, I do not feel that I'm crazy. I don't sit and daze out in the middle of
nowhere; I don't walk up and down a hallway; I talk and listen and I am able to think on
my own. Now, by explaining myself to you, I ask you why I am in this dumb mental hospital
talking to people who have no sense about life. In fact, I could not even answer the
question but I know that I have no voice in the decision of my presence hear. 
I am probably the biggest rebel you will ever see and I do not take dictation very well.
When I first came to the hospital, the other patients knew I was different because I did
not listen to the black workers and especially Ms. Ratched, the Big Nurse who had control
over the patients. My biggest conflict was with the nurse. Everyday day we had therapy
meetings, where Nurse Ratched tried to help the mental patients cope with their problems.
While in the circle, I noticed that when asked to talk by the nurse, the patients stood
silent because they were scared of the nurse. To me, she was nothing but a ruthless woman
who took advantage of her position as the head nurse. But for me, being the rebel that I
am, I did not want this lady to control me or the other boys. So I started to talk to
these people and try to make them comfortable with me in order to get them on my side.
This conflict was my drive that kept me interested in the mental hospital. One guy, Chief
Bromden, was supposedly deaf and never spoke. After being the only one who tried to get
through to him, he finally spoke to me and became my "sidekick." I didn't pay attention
to the others' ideas about the chief so I taught him things through examples, and it paid
off in the end. Also, I taught the boys how to gamble and I tried to make everything in
the ward fun and enjoyable because to me, the mental hospital seemed worse than a jail.
After a while of communicating to the patients, they began to have fun and enjoyed being
in the ward. Also, I had to make a few bets in order to get the patients to trust and
respect me, and it worked.
I questioned the ideas of the authorities and I tried to ratify the rules in order to
make it a pleasing environment for the patients, and I succeeded. The Nurse began to lose
control over the patients and the patients followed my lead by fighting for what they
wanted rather than going over the same routine. By following my footsteps, the patients
finally found the light within society, and stepped into it with open arms and wishful
smiles. No longer were they under the control of the system and its rules; I had broken
free from the routine, and in the end, changed the world as they knew it.
As I look back at what I had done, I am pleased that I was able to change such a system
that was detrimental to the patient's desires to see what life is really about. Even
though I did gamble with them in order to make a few bucks, over time I felt that my
presence in the mental hospital was really big in the minds of the patients. I was like
Christ to them, in that I brought them this new light about life and showed them how to
be happy and independent. Also, I consider myself a hero in that I was able to influence
the lives of at least twelve patients and I changed their entire perception about life.
In doing so, I might have crossed the line a little bit, especially in my last stunt. By
bringing prostitutes and alcohol into the hospital, I was sentenced to a lobotomy, which
ultimately resulted in my death. Also, I forced Billy to have sex with the prostitute and
by doing so, Billy committed suicide because Nurse Ratched threatened him by telling his
mother about Billy's incident. In this case I felt very weak and I noticed that as more
and more time was spent in the hospital, my mentality became weaker and I was not as
emotionally strong. However, that is one thing I sacrificed in order to help the others
become more powerful and I have no regrets in my actions. 
2. What does this character do to demonstrate his character? Use three quotes. Give an
explanation of each one.
"She tried to get her ward back into shape, but it was difficult with 
McMurphy's presence still tromping up and down the halls and 
laughing out loud in the meetings and singing in the latrines. She 
couldn't rule with her old power any more..." P. 269
McMurphy relates to Martin Luther King Jr. and Newton and many others in that he changed
a system into an idea that benefits others. His revolutionist characteristics emphasize
the idea of questioning the authority power, which defined his ability to change the
system of the hospital. His belief seems to be that even if you are not successful in
changing the system in its entirety, the effects of a person trying can still be very
effective. In fact, if you manage to accomplish a small change in the system, it will
still be worth the fight. As seen in the novel, the effects of a minor victory ripple
into much larger victories in the battles to come. As a revolutionist, you set an example
for others to follow and in essence pave the way for others to follow. In this case,
McMurphy is considered a revolutionist in the minds of the patients as well as the
doctors. 
"' Who's got five bucks they want to lose? You hit or you sit'...
'I don't know what he's driving at; broad and big as he is, it'd take 
three of him to move that panel'...And suddenly nobody's hooting him 
anymore. His whole body shakes with the strain as he tries to lift something 
he knows he can't life, something everybody knows he can't lift...
'But I tried goddammit, I sure as hell did that much, now, didn't I?'" P. 110
In this scene, McMurphy bets that he can pull this cement panel out of the floor, which
will be used to break the glass for his escape. He tries to build the patients' trust for
him and his attempt had failed; however, his last remark shows his character in that he
attempted to do something that went against the policy but failed. McMurphy tried to
emphasize the fact that people do fail but the ones that do become successful in the
future, and the patients respected McMurphy for his attempt. Also, it was a way to give
all of the IOU's back to the patients that he had won from poker.
It's my cross, thank you Lord, it's all I got, thank you Lord. P. 269
In the quote above, McMurphy makes a reference to Pontius Pilate before he was put to the
electro-shock. Pontius Pilate who was a Roman military governor was connected to the
execution of Christ. In the novel, McMurphy is often compared to Christ. For instance,
the electro-shock therapy is used as a symbol of Christ's crucifixion and later McMurphy
is forced to face this punishment. Also, the number of men (twelve) that McMurphy leads
to the ocean is the same as the number of Christ's disciples. One might ask the question
of how McMurphy could possibly resemble Christ, with his drinking, gambling, and prior
criminal activities hardly saint-like. However, like Christ, McMurphy spreads hope
throughout a hopeless environment and fights for the freedom of others, before being
forced to sacrifice himself. 
In conclusion, McMurphy is an extremely complex character. At the same time he displays
the terrible qualities of greed and selfishness, as well as the characteristics of
courage and benevolence. He acts out of neither personal gain nor the greater good, but
more a combination of both. Also, often compared to Christ, McMurphy is truly shown as a
savior to the patients at the ward, despite his frequent efforts to gain money.
3. What do other characters say about this character? Use three quotes. Give an
explanation of each one.
"I was seeing him different than when he first came in; I was seeing more to
him than just big hands and red sideburns and a broken-nosed grin...He (McMurphy)
hadn't let what he looked like run his life one way or the other..." P. 140
The Chief knew there was more to McMurphy than what he was made out to be: a strong,
arrogant, and rebellious. Yet, after being with McMurphy and seeing how he cared to help
the other patients, the Chief grew closer to McMurphy and was astonished at his ability
to stand up for what he believed in, which was to allow people happiness and freedom. By
thinking so, McMurphy showed that his character is more than just standing up for what he
believed but is geared toward helping the other patients enjoy life. And that is one of
his best characteristics.
"First Cheswick and now William Bibbit! I hope you're satisfied. Playing with human lives
- gambling with human lives - as if you thought yourself to be a God!" P. 266
Again, McMurphy is thought of as being a heavenly figure like Christ. However, in this
quote, the Nurse says it in a bad tone. She makes him out to be more like the devil in
that his rebellious acts in order to make the patients happier ended up killing two of
the patients. Also in this quote, the nurse attempts to make McMurphy feel remorse for
those that had supposedly died because of his actions. Overall, the Nurse believes that
McMurphy was naive in that he mainly rebelled for his own interest rather than thinking
about how his actions would effect the others. 
As I think about it now, you've had more than your share of victories, P. 
The above quote is said by Nurse Ratched who views McMurphy as a dishonest trickster. For
a while, the Nurse's approach works, as many of the patients on the ward are convinced
that McMurphy was acting solely on the basis of greed. However, I believe there is more
to his actions. Far from perfect, McMurphy does act out of greed on multiple occasions,
however it doesn't seem to be his only motivation. McMurphy fights the Nurse not only for
himself, but for the other patients to benefit as well. In the end, McMurphy sacrifices
his life in order to make the other patients happy and comfortable with their
conditions.
4. What does the author say about the character, speaking as the storyteller or observer?
Use three quotes. Give an explanation of each one.
"His relaxed, good-natured voice dolled out his life for us to live, 
a rollicking past...for all of us to dream ourselves into," p. 218
After coming back from the boat trip, the Chief realizes the importance of McMurphy's
actions in doing what he has done. The Chief says that McMurphy wanted the others to
experience life and know what it is like to enjoy it. His sacrificing of his life made
McMurphy a hero and one to be remembered. In a sense, he gave the other patients life
because he was able to show them how to live by doing other things besides playing cards.

Even when he is not laughing, that laughing sound hovers around him, 
it's in his eyes, in the way he smiles and swaggers, in the way he talks. P. 11
The Chief notices that there is more to McMurphy. He realizes his humor and believes that
McMurphy is enjoying life even if he has to spend it in the mental hospital. McMurphy
also had an interest in the Chief despite what other people said about him. Thus, the
chief respected McMurphy for trying to help him rather than being influenced by the
others. 
I don't hear him slide scared along the wall, when they tell him about the shower, 
he tells them right back in a loud brassy voice that he's already plenty damn clean,
thank you. P. 10
One of the major characteristics of McMurphy is his independence and rebellious attitude.
He did not take authority very well and it showed throughout the novel. He did not
respect the authority either because several times he talked back and even fought the
workers at the mental hospital, including Nurse Ratched. In the quote above, the Chief's
first perspective about McMurphy is accurate and he sees this characteristic through his
time at the hospital. Although the Chief and the others respected McMurphy for standing
up to his own rights and privileges. 
5. How did the setting of this story ad to the plot and overall tone of the story? Use
three samples of description and discuss what action took place there. 
"She's got the fog machine switched on...and the more I think about 
how nothing can be helped, the faster the fog rolls in," P. 101
In the novel, the author, Ken Kesey builds such an effective tone that the shifts in the
attitudes of the characters can be easily detected. In the first half of the novel, Kesey
shows the oppression that makes the reader feel as if they themselves are going insane.
The fog mentioned above is not literally there, but instead appears when Kesey wants to
create an atmosphere that is disparaging. By doing so, the plot was enhanced in that the
craziness of the hospital is heightened.
"A furnace got its mouth open somewhere, licks up somebody." P. 81
The above quotation is from one of the Chief's nightmares. The hospital turns into a hot
industrial factory where the noise of cold, hard, unyielding machinery is almost
deafening. During the dream, one of the old Chronics, Blastic, is hung on a hook and sent
away into the machines. The strange thing is that he actually does die. Bromden's dream
is actually a metaphor for the quick disposal of those who do not survive the nurse's
treatment. It is as if she does not want any evidence that her patients are not
recovering. So, the effect the reader is left with is that of how abruptly a death is
dealt with in the hospital. Later, the conflict of McMurphy is resolved by
electro-shocking him, which is an example of the brutal deaths that occurred in the
hospital.
"And then off down the slope I see them, other hands coming up 
out of the fog. It's like...that big red hand of McMurphy's is reaching into 
the fog and dropping down and dragging the men up by their hands, 
dragging them blinking into the open," p. 124
Through Bromden's hazy attitude, Kesey makes the reader feel the dark cloud of
frustration and despair that hangs over the ward. Fortunately, this doesn't last too
long, because a new tone is started when McMurphy pledges that he will stop at nothing to
crush the nurse's tyranny. First, it is a tone that of hatred toward each other that is
often seen in a heated battle, and it is displayed at its height when McMurphy and Miss
Ratched face off at the meetings. The nurse and McMurphy square off while the other
patients look on starry-eyed. Of course, the entire audience is rooting for McMurphy.
This battle comes to a head when McMurphy holds a vote to change the daily schedule in
order to watch the World Series. The meeting starts out in the deepest "fog" to date, but
it begins to dissipate for good. In the above quote, the men side with McMurphy, which
shows the dedication they have for him and the resentment, they have for the nurse. When
Bromden himself raises his hand, and breaks the barrier that his false deafness has put
on, the tone is completely changed. He still played deaf for a while, but the fact that
he though about playing deaf showed that he and the tone have changed. After this, Kesey
puts an almost nostalgic tone on the story.
6. Extra Credit: Describe one character flaw, which became an obstruction for the
progress of the character. Use three examples from the story, which demonstrate the flaw
of this character and describe each.
I gotta couple of hassles at the farm, and the court ruled a psychopath. Do you think I'm
going to argue with that? If it gets me outta those damn pea fields I'll be whatever
their heart desires. P.13
One negative thing about McMurray's personality is that he is in denial of the fact that
he is considered insane. Randall McMurray may be the sanest person in the whole
institution; however his actions did go overboard several times and many would have
thought that he was the craziest one because he was completely different than the rest of
the patients. Rather than being quite and listening to the Nurse's commands, McMurphy
fought for what he believed in and to others that might seem crazy considering his life
was on the line. But McMurphy didn't care what happened to him as long as he got what he
wanted. To some, that might be crazy but to others it is just a sign of his mental and
physical strength.
"After today no one can say this is an ordinary man were dealing 
with. No, certainly not. And he is a disturbing factor, which is obvious." P. 130
After McMurphy fights with the black guard during the first major outbreak when McMurphy
broke the glass to get Cheswick his cigarettes, the doctors and nurses meet to decide
McMurphy's future. To them, he is very crazy because he goes against all of the rules and
is a lot more dangerous than the other patients. Even a doctor who has observed his
behavior calls McMurphy a crazy man but McMurphy disagrees. This reoccurrence of
McMurphy's so-called stubbornness results in many of his "crazy" actions that eventually
get him in trouble.
"Of course, the very nature of this plan could indicate that he is simply 
a shrewd con man, and not mentally ill at all." p. 134
In this quote a boy defends McMurphy in that he agrees he is wild but his behavior is not
the cause of his mentality. Rather it is just who he is and McMurphy does these things in
order to present himself crazy enough to get out of the work farm and into the mental
hospital. At times, McMurphy does act mentally ill especially when he attacked Nurse
Ratched. However, his actions are more of a result of who he was rather than the
decisions he made. Overall, his biggest flaw was his inability to discern the fact that
he might have been mentally ill in some cases.