Irving Wallace states, “To be one 's self, and unafraid whether right or wrong, is more admirable than the easy cowardice of surrender to conformity". There are those who have difficulty conforming to society, as these people have trouble adapting to this constant change. Some, who are afraid to express themselves, because of what other may think, cage their true self. As a result, they become outcasts of society. New generations come into this world, adapting and finding their place in society. However, some may never find their place. There is a constant effort to escape from the outside world and to feel safe again within a structured environment. Randle McMurphy, Chief Bromden and the other inmates encounter this conflict of conformity.
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Randle McMurphy arrives to the ward, capturing the attention of everyone; the Black boys, inmates, staff, and including Nurse Ratched or Big Nurse. While McMurphy expresses his personality, Chief Bromden thinks to himself, “He stands there waiting, and when nobody makes a move to say anything to him he commences to laugh. Nobody can tell exactly why he laughs; there’s nothing funny going on. But it’s not the way that Public Relations laughs, it’s free and loud…This sounds real. I realize all of a sudden it’s the first laugh I’ve heard in years” (Kesey 11). As McMurphy’s laughter suggests personality and emotion, the inmates question his sanity. This type of laughter has never been expressed or heard of in the asylum before, for it is not permitted due to Nurse Ratched’s control. This is just an example of how there is no self-expression evident on the ward, as the rest of the inmates are emotionless robots. Everyone is intrigued by McMurphy’s laughter and know that he is different from the rest. Chief Bromden explains, “But the new guy is different, and the Acutes can see it, different from anybody been coming on this ward for the past ten years, different from anybody they ever met outside. He’s just as vulnerable, maybe, but the Combine didn’t get him” (Kesey 89). Right from the start the Acutes know that there would be a change, for Randle McMurphy is different from the rest and sets an
Randle McMurphy arrives to the ward, capturing the attention of everyone; the Black boys, inmates, staff, and including Nurse Ratched or Big Nurse. While McMurphy expresses his personality, Chief Bromden thinks to himself, “He stands there waiting, and when nobody makes a move to say anything to him he commences to laugh. Nobody can tell exactly why he laughs; there’s nothing funny going on. But it’s not the way that Public Relations laughs, it’s free and loud…This sounds real. I realize all of a sudden it’s the first laugh I’ve heard in years” (Kesey 11). As McMurphy’s laughter suggests personality and emotion, the inmates question his sanity. This type of laughter has never been expressed or heard of in the asylum before, for it is not permitted due to Nurse Ratched’s control. This is just an example of how there is no self-expression evident on the ward, as the rest of the inmates are emotionless robots. Everyone is intrigued by McMurphy’s laughter and know that he is different from the rest. Chief Bromden explains, “But the new guy is different, and the Acutes can see it, different from anybody been coming on this ward for the past ten years, different from anybody they ever met outside. He’s just as vulnerable, maybe, but the Combine didn’t get him” (Kesey 89). Right from the start the Acutes know that there would be a change, for Randle McMurphy is different from the rest and sets an