The emergence of male insecurity in both novels derives from the overpowering amount of female control. Harding and Billy Bibbit both portray the effects of an insecure male, caused by the destructiveness of Ratched, in Kesey’s novel. Under the belief that he cannot sexually satisfy his wife, Harding enrolled himself into the institution. Ratched uses his weakness against him through her constant questioning of his marriage which leads Harding to strengthen his belief, since he perceives Ratched as a “genius” (Kesey 64). Additionally, his wife’s promiscuous nature helps cement his insecurities as it leads him to believe that she is not sexually satisfied, evident when she “[blew] the black boy a kiss...slinging her hips forward” (33) and when
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Your whole life is ahead of you…” (295). Despite his insecurities, Billy manages to obtain self-confidence when he has sexual intercourse with Candy. After losing his virginity, a noticeable change occurs in Billy’s behaviour when he says, “‘Good morning, Miss Ratched,’...not even making any move to get up and button his pajamas. He took the girl’s hand in his and grinned...” (313). Previous to consummation, Billy would stutter in his speech, showing how his insecurity had a physical manifestation. Here, his loss of stutter indicates his loss of inhibition over his sexual prowess. Billy’s development quickly degenerates as Ratched re-instills his insecure nature when she says, “‘What worries me, Billy,’ she said --- [Bromden] could hear the change in her voice --- ‘is how your poor mother is going to take this’” (314). Ratched’s condescending attitude demonstrates the power she wields as her change in voice signifies how she manipulates Billy to lose his newly found self-confidence. Likewise, the topic of male insecurity caused by women is also present in Hemingway’s …show more content…
Although he does not explicitly state Jake’s injury, it can be concluded that his penis’ function is non-existent as Bill states that “[a]nother group claims you’re impotent’ ‘No,’ [Jake] said. ‘I just had an accident.’...[he] was afraid [Bill] thought he had hurt [him] with that crack about being impotent” (Hemingway 120). Jake’s quick deflection and vague answer signifies the likelihood of his impotence as it would have been a personal topic he would not want breached. Additionally, Jake’s injury barrs him from entering a relationship with Brett as she refuses to agree with his propositions, even if they do not entail a sexual aspect, as seen when he asks “‘Couldn’t we just live together, Brett? Couldn’t we just live together?” (62). Furthermore, Brett’s continuous attempts to distance herself from Jake can be credited to her relationship with men, as her romantic affairs do not survive when sex is factored. To Brett, intercourse is synonymous to a failed relationship. As copulation is not a possibility due to his injury, Jake becomes a constant figure in Brett’s life. At the end of the novel, Brett states that they “‘could have had such a damned good time together’” (250), in which Jake replies with “‘Isn’t it pretty to think so?’” (250). As their final words, Jake shows to have accepted his sexual insecurity, and has accordingly come to terms with Brett that they would have to settle
Your whole life is ahead of you…” (295). Despite his insecurities, Billy manages to obtain self-confidence when he has sexual intercourse with Candy. After losing his virginity, a noticeable change occurs in Billy’s behaviour when he says, “‘Good morning, Miss Ratched,’...not even making any move to get up and button his pajamas. He took the girl’s hand in his and grinned...” (313). Previous to consummation, Billy would stutter in his speech, showing how his insecurity had a physical manifestation. Here, his loss of stutter indicates his loss of inhibition over his sexual prowess. Billy’s development quickly degenerates as Ratched re-instills his insecure nature when she says, “‘What worries me, Billy,’ she said --- [Bromden] could hear the change in her voice --- ‘is how your poor mother is going to take this’” (314). Ratched’s condescending attitude demonstrates the power she wields as her change in voice signifies how she manipulates Billy to lose his newly found self-confidence. Likewise, the topic of male insecurity caused by women is also present in Hemingway’s …show more content…
Although he does not explicitly state Jake’s injury, it can be concluded that his penis’ function is non-existent as Bill states that “[a]nother group claims you’re impotent’ ‘No,’ [Jake] said. ‘I just had an accident.’...[he] was afraid [Bill] thought he had hurt [him] with that crack about being impotent” (Hemingway 120). Jake’s quick deflection and vague answer signifies the likelihood of his impotence as it would have been a personal topic he would not want breached. Additionally, Jake’s injury barrs him from entering a relationship with Brett as she refuses to agree with his propositions, even if they do not entail a sexual aspect, as seen when he asks “‘Couldn’t we just live together, Brett? Couldn’t we just live together?” (62). Furthermore, Brett’s continuous attempts to distance herself from Jake can be credited to her relationship with men, as her romantic affairs do not survive when sex is factored. To Brett, intercourse is synonymous to a failed relationship. As copulation is not a possibility due to his injury, Jake becomes a constant figure in Brett’s life. At the end of the novel, Brett states that they “‘could have had such a damned good time together’” (250), in which Jake replies with “‘Isn’t it pretty to think so?’” (250). As their final words, Jake shows to have accepted his sexual insecurity, and has accordingly come to terms with Brett that they would have to settle