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Symbolism In One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

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“He Who Marches Out of Step Hears Another Drum” (133). Based in an Oregon psychiatric hospital and described from the viewpoint of a paranoid schizophrenic known by the name Chief Bromden, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey is a novel of hidden messages. Randle Patrick McMurphy is a rebellious soul and one who marches out of step, and Nurse Ratched, or “Big Nurse”, is the overseer and enforcer of all rules. Due to their polar opposite personalities, McMurphy and Nurse Ratched did not get along. However, what if these two people represent more than just a person, but rather, an idea? The true theme of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is the societal destruction of our most human impulses. One can see this theme prevail through the dream that Chief Bromden had, the rules implemented onto the patients and staff, and the abrupt stop to McMurphy’s free expression. Kesey took advantage of a substantial amount of symbolism, and it shows in the most unorthodox places. Chief Bromden had his first dream in a long time after falling asleep without taking his red pill that makes him fall into a deep slumber. In this dream, he witnesses another patient being hoisted onto a …show more content…
Randle McMurphy wants nothing more than to express himself in every and any way possible; however, Nurse Ratched wants the exact opposite. McMurphy battles against letting the oppressive society make him into a machinelike drone, and he manages to maintain his individuality until he is able to bring this individuality to the others. After constantly pushing, McMurphy’s freedom to express is completely removed. When Nurse Ratched suggests “an operation” (245) to the doctors, McMurphy joking claims she’s considering castrating him and says “it wouldn’t be any use to lop ‘em off” (245). However, the doctors agree that a lobotomy would be the best idea, and with the snap of two fingers, his free will and expression were

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