In part three of Ken Kesey’s novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, McMurphy strengthens the masculinity of the other characters despite the emasculating comments and actions made by the head nurse. In particular, Nurse Ratched had disregarded Doctor Spivey and his comments in the past, stripping him of his authority. After the fishing trip that was organized by McMurphy, the doctor was approached by the police and was interrogated for not having enough lifejackets for everyone on board. In response, Spivey “carried the fight to them by first off telling the cops they didn’t have any jurisdiction over us” (Kesey 214). The doctor’s dispute against authority supports the idea that McMurphy has built up the men’s masculinity as a rebellion against
