Effect Of Control In One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

Kesey uses the introduction of McMurphy and the depiction of the ward along with the change after McMurphy’s introduction to illustrate the emasculating effect of control. The introduction of McMurphy is used as a catalyst to break the complete control and order of the ward. When McMurphy arrives on the extremely orderly and controlled ward, he makes a mockery of the system itself, claiming that he is “accustomed to being top man,” and he figures that “If [he’s] bound to be a loony” then he is “bound to be a stompdown dadgum good one.” This shows that he is ignoring the clear order of the ward, and instead of being ashamed of being a “loony” as the other patients are, he is embracing it in order to mock the societal associations of it (Kesey 21). He is, in effect, weakening the control of the ward on his first introduction. His lighthearted tone in dealing with what is considered a serious issue shows the other patients that they do not have to be afraid of being labeled as insane. This weakens the control of Nurse Ratched by showing the patients that the hospital does not need to be …show more content…
The conflict between Nurse Ratched and McMurphy, with Ratched representing control and order and McMurphy representing freedom, is used to illustrate opposing desires of humanity and the struggle of the individual against a controlling society. McMurphy’s influence on the other patients shows the nature of humans to want freedom whether or not they have the will to seek it out on their own. McMurphy’s final sacrifice shows that freedom requires sacrifice, but that individuality can triumph over a repressive and controlling society. Kesey demonstrates the undeniable nature of humanity towards freedom and the cruelty and malevolence that can arise from too much