Life is a fragile collection of events and perceptions. Each perception has the potential to change in an instant, but only if the individual is emotionally involved. In “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” by Ken Kesey, Kesey demonstrates that life remains an illusion until traumatic life events alter this self-perception--providing the individual is capable of experiencing empathy. In the cases of Bromden and McMurphy during their time in the mental institution, their view of reality alters drastically by events they witness, while there is no change experienced by Nurse Ratched as she is unable to experience empathy. McMurphy’s challenging actions and willingness to fight for what he believe in portrays him as the story’s hero. McMurphy
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Before life-altering events, Bromden’s life is an illusion to which he refers to as “the fog” ( Pg.9). This illusion is rooted in Chief Bromden’s skewed self-perception which has developed over time from influential, but incorrect, judgement from others. Nurse Ratched’s influence creates Bromden’s distorted beliefs about himself; ones that cause him to believe he is something he is not. McMurphy’s striking presence is the element that initiated the change in his personal awareness, and thus begins to clear his fog over time. McMurphy’s boldness and intentional conversation to Bromden enforces Bromden’s power and significance, this makes him believe he can be “...big as a damn mountain” (Pg. 219). The final event that shakes Bromden from his state of misconception of the world around him is McMurphy’s inevitable sacrifice which presents itself by way of lobotomy. Up until this point in time, McMurphy gave it all in the eyes of Bromden, this is his final sacrifice; he is “a martyr to them” (Pg.157), and it breaks Bromden from his illusion because of the empathy he holds. Bromden’s empathy makes him able to be impacted by death. Witnessing McMurphy being brought back to the ward after his lobotomy makes Chief realize his power, he rejects Nurse Ratched's power and reinstates his respective control over his life to take charge …show more content…
Although the atmosphere of the ward changes with traumatic events, removing her of some of her power, she still believes that her power remains. While all others in the novel are affected by the appalling acts around them, Nurse Ratched remains cool, calm, and collected. Removing herself emotionally from the situations allows her to walk away from situations unscathed, but also feeds her disillusioned life. By viewing herself as untouchable and powerful, without being able to be impacted, her life is askew without her realizing. The basis of her perception of the world around her stems from her perception of herself; as long as that remains inaccurate, her reality is more illusion than reality. While others in the novel are broken from their illusion by traumatic events, Nurse Ratched’s illusion can not be shattered because of her inability to express empathy. Death, torture, and inequality are all mild inconveniences to her and a way to keep her ward in order. Even at the end of the novel, Nurse Ratched chooses to remain in the ward with the illusion that her previous power over the patients still exists. The fragility of life does not touch her; she lives life as if in a rubber world--where nothing has consequence because nothing holds
Before life-altering events, Bromden’s life is an illusion to which he refers to as “the fog” ( Pg.9). This illusion is rooted in Chief Bromden’s skewed self-perception which has developed over time from influential, but incorrect, judgement from others. Nurse Ratched’s influence creates Bromden’s distorted beliefs about himself; ones that cause him to believe he is something he is not. McMurphy’s striking presence is the element that initiated the change in his personal awareness, and thus begins to clear his fog over time. McMurphy’s boldness and intentional conversation to Bromden enforces Bromden’s power and significance, this makes him believe he can be “...big as a damn mountain” (Pg. 219). The final event that shakes Bromden from his state of misconception of the world around him is McMurphy’s inevitable sacrifice which presents itself by way of lobotomy. Up until this point in time, McMurphy gave it all in the eyes of Bromden, this is his final sacrifice; he is “a martyr to them” (Pg.157), and it breaks Bromden from his illusion because of the empathy he holds. Bromden’s empathy makes him able to be impacted by death. Witnessing McMurphy being brought back to the ward after his lobotomy makes Chief realize his power, he rejects Nurse Ratched's power and reinstates his respective control over his life to take charge …show more content…
Although the atmosphere of the ward changes with traumatic events, removing her of some of her power, she still believes that her power remains. While all others in the novel are affected by the appalling acts around them, Nurse Ratched remains cool, calm, and collected. Removing herself emotionally from the situations allows her to walk away from situations unscathed, but also feeds her disillusioned life. By viewing herself as untouchable and powerful, without being able to be impacted, her life is askew without her realizing. The basis of her perception of the world around her stems from her perception of herself; as long as that remains inaccurate, her reality is more illusion than reality. While others in the novel are broken from their illusion by traumatic events, Nurse Ratched’s illusion can not be shattered because of her inability to express empathy. Death, torture, and inequality are all mild inconveniences to her and a way to keep her ward in order. Even at the end of the novel, Nurse Ratched chooses to remain in the ward with the illusion that her previous power over the patients still exists. The fragility of life does not touch her; she lives life as if in a rubber world--where nothing has consequence because nothing holds