Published in 1962, “One flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest” by Ken Kesey holds a story of a patient in a mental institution of Oregon. Wanting to become a registered nurse one day, I have chosen to research “One flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest” because it presents a terrible example of a nurse named Ratched. The novel was popular enough to spread the reality that a mentally ill patient faces in a sanatorium. “The book 's publication contributed to a backlash against the entire psychiatric treatment system in the US in the 1960s.” (Pittman qtd. in Swaine) However, this novel has a deeper and meaningful message for Americans, which is that society oppresses people with standards and authorities immobilizing them from developing themselves. “[…] Ken Kesey
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According to the patients, McMurphy is described as “a hustler, drifter, logger, cowboy, soldier, prospector, gambler and prison bird.” (Ryan 44) The main story all starts when McMurphy arrives at the hospital, living with people that are social separated and mentally ill. Unlike other patients, McMurphy rebels against the nurse Ratched and tries to escape the hospital. (Vitkus 65) “The Chief tells the story of his own deliverance from the Big Nurse, an escape which takes place as a result of the arrival on the ward of a patient named Randle Patrick McMurphy. The Chief bears witness to the battle of wills between McMurphy and the Big Nurse, a struggle which concludes in the sacrifice of McMurphy, the salvation of the men on the ward, and the escape of Chief Bromden.” (Vitkus 65) However, the theme of the novel is not all about the mental illness. It is actually about society compelling Americans conform to standards and authorities. “The center piece I chose is One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey, this novel epitomizes the theme of mental health; it takes place in a mental institution and demonstrates the real life severity of treatment in America at this time.” (Warner 2) The asylum is symbolized as society that suppresses Americans and the patients are Americans who tries to break through the suppression to gain the
According to the patients, McMurphy is described as “a hustler, drifter, logger, cowboy, soldier, prospector, gambler and prison bird.” (Ryan 44) The main story all starts when McMurphy arrives at the hospital, living with people that are social separated and mentally ill. Unlike other patients, McMurphy rebels against the nurse Ratched and tries to escape the hospital. (Vitkus 65) “The Chief tells the story of his own deliverance from the Big Nurse, an escape which takes place as a result of the arrival on the ward of a patient named Randle Patrick McMurphy. The Chief bears witness to the battle of wills between McMurphy and the Big Nurse, a struggle which concludes in the sacrifice of McMurphy, the salvation of the men on the ward, and the escape of Chief Bromden.” (Vitkus 65) However, the theme of the novel is not all about the mental illness. It is actually about society compelling Americans conform to standards and authorities. “The center piece I chose is One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey, this novel epitomizes the theme of mental health; it takes place in a mental institution and demonstrates the real life severity of treatment in America at this time.” (Warner 2) The asylum is symbolized as society that suppresses Americans and the patients are Americans who tries to break through the suppression to gain the