Albert Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a theoretical pyramid built up of four secondary pillars and one primary pillar. The primary pillar of the pyramid, self-actualization, is only attainable if all four secondary pillars are realized. Self-actualization is the ultimate goal for a human psychologically, described as the realization of one’s potential, purpose, and powers. However, in One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the presence of the Nurse disallows any of the patients from realizing their potential within any secondary pillar, rendering self-actualization unattainable for the patients of the ward. The lowest row of the pyramid describes the physiological needs of humans, including basic necessities such as food, water, and sleep. These patients are deprived heavily in this
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The hospital recognizes this, and instead of changing, they look to silence the patients. For example, on page 215, one of the black boys says, “...I wonder how many times this muthuh chewed some o’ this stuff? Just as hard” (Kesey 215). Despite acknowledging that Chief cannot afford new gum nor can he reach the means required the attain gum, the black boys decide to rid him of his old, harmless supply, leaving Chief without any gum at all. This is one of many instances where the physiological needs of patients suffer within the walls of the ward. The following layer of Maslow’s pyramid describes the safety and security needs of each human being. This sector includes safety, health, and property needs, which also happen to be threatened by Nurse Ratched and her understudies. Residency within the ward strips patients of these basic rights, with examples including EST, undescribed pills, double-tenured bedrooms, and minimal privacy from Nurse Ratched. The log book and one-way glass window allows Nurse Ratched to be fully involved with the internalities of each
The hospital recognizes this, and instead of changing, they look to silence the patients. For example, on page 215, one of the black boys says, “...I wonder how many times this muthuh chewed some o’ this stuff? Just as hard” (Kesey 215). Despite acknowledging that Chief cannot afford new gum nor can he reach the means required the attain gum, the black boys decide to rid him of his old, harmless supply, leaving Chief without any gum at all. This is one of many instances where the physiological needs of patients suffer within the walls of the ward. The following layer of Maslow’s pyramid describes the safety and security needs of each human being. This sector includes safety, health, and property needs, which also happen to be threatened by Nurse Ratched and her understudies. Residency within the ward strips patients of these basic rights, with examples including EST, undescribed pills, double-tenured bedrooms, and minimal privacy from Nurse Ratched. The log book and one-way glass window allows Nurse Ratched to be fully involved with the internalities of each