Everyday people are basing their actions off the opinions of their peers. Everything from the clothes a person wears to the music they listen to is picked apart by society. People would rather blend in with everyone else than stand out and risk being judged; those who do stand out in society are individuals. As Allen Ginsberg, a Beat Generation member, believes “ Follow your inner moonlight; don’t hide the madness”. One may suggest that individualism is madness. However, like a werewolf, only transforming into their true form during a full moon, people hide the madness inside themselves. In order to find one’s “inner moonlight” they must accept that no one can live up to the expectations that society holds for one another. Ken Kesey author
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One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and the Beat Generation stand by the belief of individualism over conformity because in order to stand out from society people must be individuals. Individualism brings people happiness because it allows them to be unique compared to society. Ken Kesey uses many examples throughout the novel that support the idea of individualism. Chief, a patient who has been at the ward the longest, describes McMurphy upon his arrival. McMurphy’s laugh is heard before he is seen and Chief states “I realize all of a sudden it’s the first laugh I’ve heard in years” (Kesey 12). Right away, Chief realizes there is something different about McMurphy; he introduces himself to every patient while he laughs and smiles. This is a wake up call to Chief that the patients on the ward are not happy and do not have to same level of confidence that McMurphy shows. Chief and the other patients are confined to the dull, lifeless ward, whereas, McMurphy lives as an individual. Despite what society may think of McMurphy, he does not allow their opinions to dictate how he lives his life. McMurphy expands his uniqueness through rebelling against Nurse Ratched. His goal is to make Nurse …show more content…
After the party, thrown by the men on the ward, they discuss what they are going to do the next day. Harding explains to McMurphy that although the men are becoming individuals, they still need more help. Harding decides he is not leaving yet: “‘But I want to do it on my own, by myself, right out that front door, with all the traditional red tape and complications’” (Kesey 307). It can be inferred from the many examples Kesey has provided that Harding is a homosexual. Society was not accepting of homosexuals in the 1960s; people still face judgement due to their sexual preference. Harding allowed society’s opinions to affect the way he thought of himself. Instead of accepting his homosexuality, Harding turned to the hospital to hide from the outside world. McMurphy shows Harding that freedom comes from accepting yourself, which Harding is slowly accomplishing. McMurphy is livid after discovering that most of the patients on the ward are voluntary, and although they hate the hospital, they choose to stay. McMurphy claims the men may not be normal but they should not be in the hospital. In response, Billy Bibbit states “‘I could go outside to-today, if I had the guts’” (Kesey 195). Due to society’s standards, the men have lost their confidence and feel that they cannot live freely with the rest of the community. The men conform by giving up their individual rights because they are different from society. McMurphy
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and the Beat Generation stand by the belief of individualism over conformity because in order to stand out from society people must be individuals. Individualism brings people happiness because it allows them to be unique compared to society. Ken Kesey uses many examples throughout the novel that support the idea of individualism. Chief, a patient who has been at the ward the longest, describes McMurphy upon his arrival. McMurphy’s laugh is heard before he is seen and Chief states “I realize all of a sudden it’s the first laugh I’ve heard in years” (Kesey 12). Right away, Chief realizes there is something different about McMurphy; he introduces himself to every patient while he laughs and smiles. This is a wake up call to Chief that the patients on the ward are not happy and do not have to same level of confidence that McMurphy shows. Chief and the other patients are confined to the dull, lifeless ward, whereas, McMurphy lives as an individual. Despite what society may think of McMurphy, he does not allow their opinions to dictate how he lives his life. McMurphy expands his uniqueness through rebelling against Nurse Ratched. His goal is to make Nurse …show more content…
After the party, thrown by the men on the ward, they discuss what they are going to do the next day. Harding explains to McMurphy that although the men are becoming individuals, they still need more help. Harding decides he is not leaving yet: “‘But I want to do it on my own, by myself, right out that front door, with all the traditional red tape and complications’” (Kesey 307). It can be inferred from the many examples Kesey has provided that Harding is a homosexual. Society was not accepting of homosexuals in the 1960s; people still face judgement due to their sexual preference. Harding allowed society’s opinions to affect the way he thought of himself. Instead of accepting his homosexuality, Harding turned to the hospital to hide from the outside world. McMurphy shows Harding that freedom comes from accepting yourself, which Harding is slowly accomplishing. McMurphy is livid after discovering that most of the patients on the ward are voluntary, and although they hate the hospital, they choose to stay. McMurphy claims the men may not be normal but they should not be in the hospital. In response, Billy Bibbit states “‘I could go outside to-today, if I had the guts’” (Kesey 195). Due to society’s standards, the men have lost their confidence and feel that they cannot live freely with the rest of the community. The men conform by giving up their individual rights because they are different from society. McMurphy