One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Okay, so I've spent the past couple of days trying to type up another post about this novel. At first I was going to do something about the asylums back in the 1960's but then I decided not to, then I tried to write about Bromden's ride to power but I felt I kept wondering in so many directions with it, then tonight I sat down and I was determined to write about how this Kesey wanted the asylum to be like a microcosm but I didn't feel like this was what I wanted to write on. Now, I have come to the conclusion that all I've wanted to do the whole time is write about two of the more memorable characters and how they fit into the novel. The topic is so general so I'll be able to branch off or get more specific depending on which character I am talking about.



I felt it is only right to start with the protagonist Chief Bromden. The whole novel is through this man's eyes and we are able to see his transformation to becoming free again. One thing that I found very interesting would be the fact the Kesey made this man mute for most of the novel and I have to say that this adds to Bromden's characterization. He did this to not only allow us a better insight into the whole asylum, it was also symbolic of how the native people were ignored and treated unfairly by the government (Bromden is Native American). I personally rooted for him to get better during the whole novel! Bromden is just one of those characters that you can get attached to and truly sympathize for! This poor man hasn't talked in 20 years because people underestimated him and he decided to allow these people to win. I also thought the addition of Bromden's thoughts of the combine ( symbolic of government power) and the fog (what happens to him after EST) added to the complexity of the novel. Then being able to watch his transformation slowly but surely, due to McMurphy, was something that I enjoyed thoroughly, even though this positive change in Bromden meant a negative change in McMurphy.



Now I want to talk about the infamous Randle Patrick McMurphy. This man is the typical macho guy who wants everyone to know who he is. When first introduced into the novel you can tell that he is going to cause trouble one way or another. Sure enough he does cause a bunch of trouble and issues for the ward; but this isn't what I want to talk about in regards to McMurphy. I want to talk about the way the other guys in the ward looked up to him, to them he was a Christ-like figure who was going to save them from the hell that they called the ward. He was their hero and on an even more personal level he was like a father. If you look past the rough and tumble exterior you are able to see what a softy this man really is. He helped all the men on the ward in some way, shape or form and most of them appreciated him. He did and said things that they wanted to do and say but were too afraid to. McMurphy was a "martyr to them" and they never forgot that even during the tough times. The person he helped out most of all, though, would be Bromden. McMurphy was the only one that got Bromden to talk and soon after that he helped Bromden regain his power and strength (even though his own was diminishing). Bromden actually compared him with his father and held McMurphy in such high regard.

Though Bromden's story has a happy ending, unfortunately, McMurhpy's doesn't. As Bromden regained his strength, McMurphy was losing his. The ward was slowly breaking him down and his sudden violent out lash at Nurse Racthed sealed his fate. McMurphy had a lobotomy and never recovered from it because Bromden, after McMurphy was returned to the ward, smothered him with a pillow until he died. In Bromden's eyes it was a mercy killing and I have to agree with this. The wild, women loving, Nurse Racthed hating, mischievous McMurphy was never going to return.

So I feel as though I have rambled on quite a bit about these two diverse characters, and yes I know I left out various bits of information. I wanted to focus on certain aspects of the character instead of the whole picture, if I had gotten into more detail you'd be here forever trying to read what I had to say about them. I'm going to end off this post by saying that I hope everyone will get a chance to read this amazing book someday!






McMurphy and Bromden portrayed in the movie of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"