One_Flew_over_the_Cuckoos_Nest

The novel ‘One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ explores the dynamics of relationships in response to the struggle between conformity and individualism. The initial nature of the relationship between Nurse Ratched and the inmates is encapsulated by Ratched’s dominance and repressive regime, “people who try to make you weak so they can get you to toe the line, to follow their rules.” The idiom ‘toe the line’ elucidates how the ward is run under the power of Ratched and thus exemplifies the acquiescence and vulnerability of the inmates. Through Group Therapy sessions, Ratched inflicts the power of suggestion, exposing the men’s deepest insecurities to maintain submission and to abuse their group mentality, “She doesn’t accuse. She merely needs to insinuate, insinuate anything”. Displayed here is the fear felt towards Ratched, emphasised by repetition and through the syntax of truncated sentences and italics, tension is built. Ratched’s most sinister tool is manipulation and she regularly exercises this power through passive aggression, to keep the men weak and totally dependent on her, “let her victimise them into being her interrogators”. However, under the influence of McMurphy and his deliberate disobedience of Ratched’s power, the inmates begin to unearth a new, masculine identity as individuals rendering their relationship with Ratched dynamic through the change in their attitude. McMurphy becomes a prevailing figure to the men, encouraging rebellion, freedom and individualism against Ratched’s control, “...You men- Stop this. Stop!”. Through the use of italics, the word ‘men’ assumes negative connotations as a denigrating and significant insult but also symbolises a new identity for the inmates. This coincides with the repetition of ‘stop’ and its exclamation, used to convey Ratched’s desperation and loss of control to the group of men. As a result of McMurphy’s leadership, the men begin to openly question Ratched’s authority, ‘Cheswick bounced to his feet and hollered at her’. The visual imagery displayed by Cheswick’s actions demonstrates the change in the men’s attitude towards Ratched. The symbolism of size, associating size to power, also highlights a growing identity against conformity. Therefore, under the new power of McMurphy, the inmates have experienced a change of identity to men and this newfound individualism affects the dynamics of their relationship with Ratched. The engagement between McMurphy and Nurse Ratched has a direct influence on surrounding parties and is characterized by the recurring theme between sexual repression and sexual freedom. Ratched represents a frigid, conformed and controlled sexuality, “gets real put out if anything keeps her outfit from running smooth”. The metaphor illustrates Ratched’s repressed sexuality within her nurse’s uniform; her orderly control of the ward and also her shame in sexuality, attempting to ‘button up’ her womanhood. This is a stark contrast to McMurphy, who is almost animalistic in his sexuality, with an instinctive and ‘natural’ freedom, “she’s glaring at those big white whales leaping round on his shorts”. The shorts are symbolic to the icon Moby-Dick, connoting a phallus and alluding to McMurphy’s blatant sexuality. Initially, McMurphy seems to only be rebelling against Ratched for entertainment while he waits to leave the institution, but his rebellion develops into a sincere desire to help the men resurrect their manhood as McMurphy realizes that Nurse Ratched’s control is a life and death matter, “it was our need that was making him push”. Through the use of personal pronouns, McMurphy’s martyr act becomes apparent and his self-sacrifice to defuse the power of sexual repression. The dependant relationship between McMurphy and the men thus fuels McMurphy’s fire to his defiance against Ratched, “ripped her uniform all the way down the front”. The ripping of Ratched’s uniform is a powerful metaphor, illustrating the unbuttoning of repressed sexuality and conformity and through imagery McMurphy’s wild sexual freedom is enriched. This symbolic act exposes Ratched as a woman and defuses her power and sexual repression as a result, “Lady, I think you are full of so much bullshit”. The colloquial language depicts the change in attitude the men have experienced towards Ratched and the high modality emphasises the force and confidence the men now possess.