Journeys_Essay_-_Girl,_Interrupted_and_Cuckoo's_Nest

The power structures within institutions give control and potential for power to certain individuals while suppressing the identity of others. The theme of control is outstanding in both of the texts, and is an underlying factor for all events to occur. Both Ken Kesey’s novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Susanna Kaysen’s account of her experience in James Mangold’s Girl, Interrupted (1999) are set in 1960’s America, and they reveal how controversial and pivotal control is in a community. The tools for control in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest are solely for the gain of power. The novel illustrates the effect of power as a microcosm, the institution; as all patients are manipulated by the one source of power – Nurse Ratched. Unusual for the era, it is the women who control their miniature society, the ward; as most women in the 1960’s were fighting for gender equality and attempting to break the stereotype of the housewife. Ratched understands this, and uses a sexless uniform to hide her sexuality. She is commonly referred to as the ‘Big Nurse’ due to her powerful role in the ward, making her seem physically larger than the patients, as they are not comfortable or confident. This exaggeration of power alerts the audience of how ironically corrupt the institution is. Through the rise of power, another must fall. The introduction of Randall McMurphy aids patients to control their own lives whilst dismantling Ratched of her status and control. Randall’s boisterous and sexual tendencies displease the Big Nurse, as she heavily suppresses her sexuality for status. He attempts to joke with the other patients, as he states: “You’re not the everyday asshole on the street, but you’re not nuts!” to colloquially and ironically reassure the others that outer society is no saner than their microcosm. Although the power structures are corrupt, those concerned still heavily depend on them. Through the rise of power of those with leader-like qualities, identities of the weak can be lost. Chief Bromden, also referred to as ‘Chief Broom’ by the cruel Negro assistants diminuates his size due to the way in which society treats him. The racist tendencies of 1960’s society have greatly affected the character. When McMurphy arrives on the ward, Bromden becomes increasingly confident. However, in the process of regaining confidence, six foot tall Bromden states “you’re... a lot bigger an’ tougher than I am” to McMurphy. This ironic symbolism of size shows how dehumanised the ward has made him – it illustrates his willpower towards life and individuality, as the institution has made him more conservative. As the novel progresses, the challenges of power for Nurse Ratched become increasingly extreme. Her techniques push some over the edge. The Big Nurse targets the weak, as shown with her last manipulaticve effort on Billy Bibbit. This patient cleary demonstrates an aspect of the Oedipus Complex – his mother still treats him like a child, and he thrives on it. After Bibbit undermines the two strongest people in his life (Ratched and his mother) with the help of McMurphy, he becomes wholly independent. Yet again, Ratched uses her twisted controls, stating “What worries me, Billy, is how your poor mother is going to take this.” Through rhetorical questioning, she acts as if she maternally cars for the boy, forcing him to believe that his actions were incorrect, consequentially killing him. Girl, Interrupted is a prime example of some powers working harmoniously together against a common enemy to become stronger, both socially and mentally. This recount of Susanna Kaysen’s two year hospitalisation at McLean hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts underlines how unstable society could be in the 1960’s. Kaysen has just graduated high school, and is seen as a girl with no work ethic or long term plans. As everybody disapproves, she loses contact with the world and spirals into a deep depression and borderline personality disorder. Although bias manipulates the actual events, it is clear the nurses in the institution aim to help her. As Susanna begins to cooperate, the jarring flashbacks become less prominent. This is illustrating that her mental state is increasingly becoming sound, due to the acceptance of therapy. Midway through the film, Susanna formas an alliance with the dangerous sociopath Lisa, which does not aid her release, only gives her short-term power. As Lisa is highly influential, Susanna gains some of her mannerisms. Her rage becomes apparent, demonstrated in “Everyone here is fucking crazy!” Lisa is not included in‘ everyone’ as she is an idolistic form that has given her comfort through teamwork. Regaining control of her mentality assures Kaysen that there is a positive effect working against the common enemy – her depression. As some characters are stripped of their power, this creates a loss of identity; and some feel as if there is a need to escape. The use of a narrative voice-over in the film is an aid into viewing Susanna’s thoughts, which give the audience a biased view of the institution. The period in which she was institutionalised was also the commencement of the hippie generation. Although she wasn’t a revolutionist, she seeked change in her surroundings, all without damaging her values. “They’re breaking you... everything’s changing, man!” implies that the biased hippie view of the institution is that it is scarring and manipulating her spirit. Another factor of the institution in this era is the war, and conscription is used. Any man of Susanna’s age was affected, including her boyfriend Toby. To escape their living hells, both Susanna and her boyfriend Toby accept that their only escape is to move away into the unknown, only to ensure that their spirits remained intact while the major societal powers forced their contextual beliefs upon them. Although set in the 1960’s, the director had the influence of hindsight in creating the film 30 years later, hence he diluted the severity of mental treatment in that era. If the institution is correctly used, or the services provided aren’t ironically unjust, it can be greatly beneficial to the individual. However, if the experience is not positive, then those concerned are dehumanised. Therefore, power structures are indeed elevated due to their manipulation of society, with or without the aid of others for inspiration or security. Conversely, identity is a legacy of institutionalisation for many individuals concerned.