The human brain has been conditioned into two different and immediate reactions to fear: fight and flight. The responses to long term adversity of submission and rebellion are derived from the flight and flight reactions. Submission occurs following the loss of hope in the face of adversity. Rebellion instigates further rebellion and enables one to accept one’s fate. Submission is a common response to adversity that stems from the loss of the delusion of reprieve; it often results in the evaporation of the hope of others, causing further submission. Rebellion is an alternative response to adversity that allows oneself to take ownership of one’s situation and derive meaning thereof; rebellion inspires hope that encourages others to embrace their
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Punishment can only be conquered through pride and rebellion. The myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus, winner of the Nobel Prize in literature, describes a comical hero who is happy in the face of terrible and eternal punishment in the underworld. Camus explains Sisyphus’s happiness in that “There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn” (Camus 5). Sisyphus overcame his eternal torment by simply by disdaining his punishment and punishers. Thus, adversity can be overcome with mere contempt. Correspondingly, McMurphy utilizes humor to maintain internal control and hapiness. Bromden asserts that Mack “knows that you have to laugh at the things that hurt you just to keep yourself in balance, just to keep the world from running you plumb crazy” (Kesey 190). McMurphy is able to laugh his way through difficulty and utilizes his sharp wit to aid others in coping. Like Sisyphus, McMurphy confronts the harsh reality of the Nurse’s control with humor. He is able to reject pain by refusing to allow himself to be defined by his punishment. Furthermore, Sisyphus finds satisfaction in conceding to the predetermined course out of his control. Mr. Camus explains that “All Sisyphus’ silent joy is contained therein, his fate belongs to him” (Camus 8). Sysyphus owns up to his fate of eternal pain, and is therefore able to transcend the intentions of his punishment. Sisyphus obtains joy in his silent rebellion by acknowledging the adversity he faces as his own. In a similar manner, McMurphy quietly rebels by maintaining an image of nonchalance. Mr. McMurphy knows that “there 's no better way in the world to aggravate somebody who 's trying to make it hard for you than by acting like you 're not bothered” (90). McMurphy challenges the hardship enforced by the Nurse by maintaining indifference. Thus, he effectively rebels against adversity by refusing to acknowledge that the
Punishment can only be conquered through pride and rebellion. The myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus, winner of the Nobel Prize in literature, describes a comical hero who is happy in the face of terrible and eternal punishment in the underworld. Camus explains Sisyphus’s happiness in that “There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn” (Camus 5). Sisyphus overcame his eternal torment by simply by disdaining his punishment and punishers. Thus, adversity can be overcome with mere contempt. Correspondingly, McMurphy utilizes humor to maintain internal control and hapiness. Bromden asserts that Mack “knows that you have to laugh at the things that hurt you just to keep yourself in balance, just to keep the world from running you plumb crazy” (Kesey 190). McMurphy is able to laugh his way through difficulty and utilizes his sharp wit to aid others in coping. Like Sisyphus, McMurphy confronts the harsh reality of the Nurse’s control with humor. He is able to reject pain by refusing to allow himself to be defined by his punishment. Furthermore, Sisyphus finds satisfaction in conceding to the predetermined course out of his control. Mr. Camus explains that “All Sisyphus’ silent joy is contained therein, his fate belongs to him” (Camus 8). Sysyphus owns up to his fate of eternal pain, and is therefore able to transcend the intentions of his punishment. Sisyphus obtains joy in his silent rebellion by acknowledging the adversity he faces as his own. In a similar manner, McMurphy quietly rebels by maintaining an image of nonchalance. Mr. McMurphy knows that “there 's no better way in the world to aggravate somebody who 's trying to make it hard for you than by acting like you 're not bothered” (90). McMurphy challenges the hardship enforced by the Nurse by maintaining indifference. Thus, he effectively rebels against adversity by refusing to acknowledge that the