Authors often use allegory and imagery to create alternate worlds within characters. This concept develops a deeper meaning within smaller moments of the plot. By adding this detail, readers have the opportunity to extend into a character’s past and future. The novel One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, by Ken Kesey, utilizes symbolism to transform the world of the mental asylum. With varying pasts and illnesses, each individual patient deals with their own battles, creating diverse opportunity for an author to establish varying themes. The narrator, Chief, is wrapped up in the symbol of fog. The fog adds a level of mystery to his life, as well as to the reader’s interpretation of the novel. Although it is left up to the audience to interpret,
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As the novel's narrator, it was clear this symbol held important meaning. Being a patient in a mental institution, Chief deals with the effects of schizophrenia, debatebly brought on by his war past. His past serving in the war connects to his present, transitioning the symbol of fog from a literal definition to an internal side-effect of mental illness. Symbolism was strategically used to provide insight on the background of the narrator, and to push forward character development. By doing so, Ken Kesey took One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and gave it depth through the use of one symbol. Although it may be a small allegory for mental illness, the fog holds powerful meaning for audience interpretation.When developing the Chief, Kesey utilized key moments in history to provide in depth understanding, and to connect several sides of the novel into one common theme. The progression from past, present, to future was expertly explored through the use of symbolism, imagery, and allegory. By connecting mental illness to a historical background, the audience gained a better understanding in the character, and created an exciting conclusion to the novel by making a negative experience, shock therapy, into a saving grace. Chief battled himself on the road to freedom, ultimately defeating the fog and rising
As the novel's narrator, it was clear this symbol held important meaning. Being a patient in a mental institution, Chief deals with the effects of schizophrenia, debatebly brought on by his war past. His past serving in the war connects to his present, transitioning the symbol of fog from a literal definition to an internal side-effect of mental illness. Symbolism was strategically used to provide insight on the background of the narrator, and to push forward character development. By doing so, Ken Kesey took One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and gave it depth through the use of one symbol. Although it may be a small allegory for mental illness, the fog holds powerful meaning for audience interpretation.When developing the Chief, Kesey utilized key moments in history to provide in depth understanding, and to connect several sides of the novel into one common theme. The progression from past, present, to future was expertly explored through the use of symbolism, imagery, and allegory. By connecting mental illness to a historical background, the audience gained a better understanding in the character, and created an exciting conclusion to the novel by making a negative experience, shock therapy, into a saving grace. Chief battled himself on the road to freedom, ultimately defeating the fog and rising