John Smith Essay, Research Paper
Kesey’s brilliant work in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest is the
by-product of many factors. Kesey uses the setting of the story as his most
powerful weapon in establishing his viewpoints. At first, one might
consider the story to simply be a fine piece of contemporary fiction, but
in reality it is a bitter commentary on the condition of the American
society. Obviously, it becomes evident that Kesey will convey many
viewpoints throughout the course of the story, however, I strongly believe
that a recurring theme can be singled out. The main theme behind One Flew
Over The Cuckoo’s Nest is that the society that we love so much is not as
good as it is made out to be. Kesey establishes this theme through the
brilliant manipulation of setting. Kesey uses the specific setting of a
fictional mental asylum to represent the non-specific realities of the real
world. The literary term for such a technique is the use of a “microcosm” -
a small universe representative of a larger one. Kesey uses the environment
of the mental asylum to demonstrate just how hypocritical society can be.
As aforementioned, Kesey utilizes many symbols that represent
elements in the real world. The very fact that the story takes place in a
mental asylum is in itself a commentary on society. In the asylum, it
becomes highly evident that a great deal of oppression takes place.
Although a considerable amount of abuse is in the physical form, most of it
manifests itself in subtle psychological torture. The abuse that
specifically takes place is the suppression of individualism. One cannot
help but notice the same suppression of individualism to exist in society
as well. Inside the hospital, the men are expected to not only act within
strict guidelines, but to also suppress urges to express themselves. They
are limited to doing repetitive, menial tasks and are never given the
opportunity to choose their own pathways for intellectual, emotional or
physical development. If they do attempt to act other than how they are
expected to, they are punished not only by a barrage of physical abuse but
psychological torture as well. In much the same way, this exists in society.
Society forcefully encourages people to develop their potential only along
certain accepted routes. The profession one chooses, their education, their
lifestyle, their opinions, their economic status, their intentions in life
- these are all variables in which society almost forces one into
predetermined guidelines. If people deviate too far from the accepted norms,
they can expect some form of retribution and punishment in return. Although
we often believe that we exist in a truly free society, there are certain
controls on that freedom which can be instituted at any time. As a result,
Kesey’s choice of the mental asylum for the setting clearly underlines the
hypocrisies of society.
This fact also underlines why McMurphey is such a threat to the
structure of the asylum. The suppression of the individual in the asylum is
machine-like. The men are dehumanized as much as possible. McMurphey is
detrimental to the hospital because he is the personification of all things
fought in the asylum. He is passionate and violent, angry and happy, jovial
and moody – all at the same time. He is the cauldron of emotions that is
the human condition. As such, he is also the most viable weapon against the
machine-like workings of the Asylum. Chief Bromden even goes as far to call
this mechanization of life the “Combine”. The impact that McMurphey has on
the cold, lifeless operation of the asylum is visible right from his
entrance into the story. Bromden remarks that he hears “the weight of his
steps”, implying that McMurphey walks with confidence and emotion. He also
mentions that McMurphey’s laughter “shakes the walls of the hospital”. This
is exactly why the conflict between Ratched and McMurphey is so pronounced
- his passionate and emotional nature is a threat to the mechanistic
network she has created.
The influence of the mental asylum upon the characters is
underlined when they go on a fishing trip. Symbolically, the fishing trip
is a radical departure from their normal lives. They are alone in the water,
devoid of outside influences. With intuition and judgment as their only
tools, they are free from the control of the asylum, Ratched and society.
The men slowly emerge from the cocoons of weakness that once suffocated
them, and learn to take control of their own destiny. The boat even goes
out of control during the trip. The patients obviously become frightened -
as for the first time in their lives they are forced to fend for themselves.
One of the men takes control of the helm and guides the boat back to safety.
The magnitude of this event lies in the fact that the man who did this was
previously looked down upon as being weak. The emergence of their
collective strength could only develop in the uninhibited freedom of the
boat trip. This underlines just how influential the mental asylum was upon
the men. The difference in setting allowed the men to stand up for
themselves- something that would have been impossible within the confines
of the hospital.
Along the same lines, Kesey also uses contrast in another situation
to effectively underline his theme of hypocrisy. It becomes evident that
the story takes place in Oregon. It is important to note that Oregon is
associated with the days of the “Wild West” – when men lead uninhibited
lives, where the pistol ruled more than reason. The characteristics of
independence, courage and strength are all associated with the image of the
“Cowboy”. As a result, it is quite ironic to see the men personify the
traits completely opposite to that of the Cowboy. The asylum turns them
into weak-willed shadows of real men. This second use of contrast helps
underline the amount of oppression in the world.
The control panel in Nurse Ratched’s office was another important
symbol in the setting It gave her control over the entire ward. She could
control what the patients saw on TV, the lighting, etc. In many ways, this
parallels the “control panels” present in the real world. The media is
moderated by certain people – censors, editors, media executives, etc. All
of these people influence what we think and what be believe by controlling
what we perceive to be reality. In the same way, Ratched uses the control
panels to moderate what the men can perceive and see. She even turns off a
baseball game in an attempt to punish their desire for freedom and
happiness. An important symbolic event involving the control panel takes
place at the end of the story. When Chief Bromden escapes to freedom – he
does so by ripping the control panel from Ratched’s office and throwing it
through a window. His new found freedom is not only represented by his
escape into the real world but also in the obliteration of the very object
which helped limit his life.
Several other symbolic aspects of the setting help underline the
true evil that resides in the asylum. It is clearly visible that Kesey
borrows elements from the Bible to support the struggle between good versus
evil. McMurphey is consistently displayed as a Christ figure – a man who
must lead others to salvation against oppression, and in the process of
doing so must also sacrifice himself. It is also interesting that the image
of the Cross appears in several instances of the story. The first of these
instances is when the patient Ellis is described to the reader. His manner
of restraint is peculiar – he is fixed to the wall, with his arms
outstretched and his legs bound. Obviously, this mimics the position of
Christ when He was crucified. When Bromden and McMurphey are being punished
in the shock therapy room, the machines they are placed on are described as
“cross-like tables”. The halo of electrodes through which the electricity
is administered parallels the painful crown of thorns that Christ was
forced to wear. The elements of evil in the story are defined through
symbols in the setting.
It is clearly evident that the setting plays a crucial role in the
effective communication of Kesey’s viewpoints. The presence of the
horrifying forces from the story in the real world leaves the reader with a
critical decision. One cannot look at society in the same way after having
read this story and understanding the commentary that Kesey makes on
society. A blind eye is not so easily turned to such pressing issues, so
that leaves the reader with two choices. They can become very cynical and
angry towards society, attempting to undermine it at every opportunity.
This is a difficult battle. If they do not choose to do this, they can use
the relationships they now know of to their benefit. They can make sure
that they never allow themselves to fall into the traps that society has
created. They can be sure to never suppress another person’s rights and
freedoms. Quite frankly, I believe that the second road is the more
attractive of the two, and after having read Kesey’s book, I am quite
inclined to follow it.