One_Flew_over_the_Cukoos_Nest

The Battle for Self Dependence Throughout the book One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is the battle between Nurse Ratched and McMurphy. Both sides win small battles or skirmishes throughout the book. McMurphy refuses to conform to the hospitals plans and makes it his goal to get the patients to think for themselves instead of following every rule. Nurse Ratched is a cold person who supposedly is unbreakable in her composure. In the battle between Nurse Ratched and McMurphy the victor is McMurphy because he shows that Ratched is human and that the patients can think for themselves. In part one during the group meeting McMurphy tries to get a vote to watch the World Series. After All 20 acutes agree but none of the chronics do, Nurse Ratched closes the voting but McMurphy still gets the Chief to raise his hand. This is the first sign that McMurphy is beating Ratched in the battle. He is getting the patients to think for themselves which is a big step. Later on in part one he sits down and turns on the baseball game. Although Nurse Ratched cuts off the power He pretends not to notice. As more acutes join him around the blank T.V. As a group they sit there and act like they are watching the game. Nurse Ratched loses her temper and starts ranting and raving at McMurphy. He shows that she isn’t unbeatable or anything more than human. That is another great success. Near the end McMurphy finally resorts to physical violence. He chokes Nurse Ratched but gets pulled off before killing her. He is sent for a lobotomy and returns as a vegetable. Although it seems like Nurse Ratched has won she has actually lost. Before he comes back many of the patients transfer or leave the hospital. He has done what he intended by inspiring the other men to stand up for themselves. The battle was fought hard by both sides. When given the end results it looks bad for McMurphy but his goals were achieved. He got the men to stand up for themselves and overcome the oppressive force of Nurse Ratched.