The modern drama, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Dale Wasserman explores what it is like for patients in a State Mental Hospital. Focusing on McMurphy, the main character in the book, struggling to restrain to the harsh rules in the ward. Even a selfish individual when faced with an oppressive system, makes the ultimate sacrifice to help others.
As seen in the beginning of the play, McMurphy is extremely confident and self-centered. “Billy, you tell him that R.P. McMurphy is used to bein’ top man in every situation,” (pg. 15) McMurphy presents himself as higher up than the others, this displays his selfish nature that comes through with his intense confidence. He doesn’t really care about the others, his only benefit being in the ward …show more content…
He decides to sacrifice himself to aid his friends rather than only worry about his own needs. McMurphy creates a special bond with Chief Bromden, whilst conversing, Chief states he wants to become “big”, but asks the question “How can I be big if you ain’t” (pg. 60) This sparks McMurphy to actually make a change, instead of just talking about it. He realizes that he needs to act to make a difference. After talking to the men he finds out that speaking against Nurse Ratched would lead you “down to the shock shop.” Even knowing this, McMurphy continues to stand up for the others in group meetings using his confidence as his strength and constantly pushes Nurse Ratched to hopefully one day make her break. An example where we see this is a group meeting where the chief is being picked apart, involuntarily McMurphy’s foot comes out and trips the aide. This shows his selfless nature that was always in him, he didn’t even need to think to protect Chief. He continues to stick up for Chief in this scene even though he knows he will end up with electric shock therapy. He sacrifices his own health, sanity, mental ability to defend Chief. Although the party at the end of the play is a way for McMurphy to escape the institution, he does not. He feels obliged to stay to see through everyone else. He is willing to sacrifice his only chance of freedom from Nurse Ratched’s suppressive rules to make sure the other patients will be alright. McMurphy uses his confidence to override Nurse Ratched’s oppressive regime in order to protect the others.
Through McMurphy’s journey in the ward, we have seen how one person can sacrifice themselves in imperative situations. This novel shows how anyone is able to rise above the dictatorial rulings and sacrifice everything to protect people in
As seen in the beginning of the play, McMurphy is extremely confident and self-centered. “Billy, you tell him that R.P. McMurphy is used to bein’ top man in every situation,” (pg. 15) McMurphy presents himself as higher up than the others, this displays his selfish nature that comes through with his intense confidence. He doesn’t really care about the others, his only benefit being in the ward …show more content…
He decides to sacrifice himself to aid his friends rather than only worry about his own needs. McMurphy creates a special bond with Chief Bromden, whilst conversing, Chief states he wants to become “big”, but asks the question “How can I be big if you ain’t” (pg. 60) This sparks McMurphy to actually make a change, instead of just talking about it. He realizes that he needs to act to make a difference. After talking to the men he finds out that speaking against Nurse Ratched would lead you “down to the shock shop.” Even knowing this, McMurphy continues to stand up for the others in group meetings using his confidence as his strength and constantly pushes Nurse Ratched to hopefully one day make her break. An example where we see this is a group meeting where the chief is being picked apart, involuntarily McMurphy’s foot comes out and trips the aide. This shows his selfless nature that was always in him, he didn’t even need to think to protect Chief. He continues to stick up for Chief in this scene even though he knows he will end up with electric shock therapy. He sacrifices his own health, sanity, mental ability to defend Chief. Although the party at the end of the play is a way for McMurphy to escape the institution, he does not. He feels obliged to stay to see through everyone else. He is willing to sacrifice his only chance of freedom from Nurse Ratched’s suppressive rules to make sure the other patients will be alright. McMurphy uses his confidence to override Nurse Ratched’s oppressive regime in order to protect the others.
Through McMurphy’s journey in the ward, we have seen how one person can sacrifice themselves in imperative situations. This novel shows how anyone is able to rise above the dictatorial rulings and sacrifice everything to protect people in