Cuckoo’s Nest Analysis Part IV
In the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, by Ken Kesey, McMurphy unconditionally helps Chief Bromden discover his freedom and individuality. McMurphy’s passion for freedom from Nurse Ratched, mixed with his courageous martyrdom allows Bromden defeat the “combine” and escape the asylum. When in the showers being washed by the black boys, McMurphy stands up for himself and the other men and fights back. Seeing McMurphy standing up to authority helps Bromden gain individuality when Bromden steps in and fights alongside McMurphy, showing Bromden’s initiative. As a consequence for the McMurphy and Bromden’s actions, they are both scheduled for EST (electro shock therapy).
Bromden develops courage from McMurphy as he sees McMurphy’s calm attitude while going into EST. As Bromden becomes lucid he says “It’s fogging a little, but I won’t slip off and hide it. No…never again…I saw an aide coming up the hall with a tray for me and knew this time I had them beat” (Kesey 287-288).
Nurse Ratched uses EST to hold control over her patients and to scare them into obedience. By Bromden being reluctant of the negative effects of EST and his determination to not get sucked into the fog, Bromden defeats Nurse Ratched and her control over him. To regain control Nurse Ratched orders McMurphy to a lobotomy leaving McMurphy as a vegetable. Bromden shows his individuality and control when he says “I watched and tried to figure out what he would have done. I was only sure of one thing: he wouldn’t have left something like that sit there in the day room with his name tacked on it for twenty or thirty years so the Big Nurse could use it as an example of what can happen if you buck the system. I was sure of that…The big, hard body had a tough grip on life. It fought a long time against having it taken away, flailing and thrashing around so much I finally had to lie full length on top of it and scissor the kicking legs with mine while I smashed the pillow into the face” (Kesey 322-323).
The Term Paper on Advanced practice nurse role within palliative care
The purpose of this assignment is to compare and contrast the current literature related to advanced nursing practice. And to relate this literature to my practice and the role of the palliative care nurse across clinical settings. In my current role as a pain nurse specialist, I am involved in the care and management of patients with intrathecal (IT) catheters mainly for patients with intractable ...
Chief Bromden stops Nurse Ratched’s reign and last attempt at power by not allowing her to make an example of McMurphy to scare patients.
Bromden obtains individuality with McMurphy’s help leads Bromden to gain his freedom. After finding himself and the control of his own self Bromden is finally allowed to be free and escape the asylum. By leaving the asylum Bromden is getting rid of his weaknesses and be on his own and be free from the chains of insecurity and conformity. Bromden uses the huge control panel to break the window and escape, a method of escape earlier mentioned by McMurphy. Towards the end of the novel Bromden exclaims “I ran across the grounds in the direction I remembered seeing the dog go, toward the highway. I remember I was taking huge strides as I ran, seeming to step and float a long ways before my next foot struck the earth. I felt like I was flying. Free” (Kesey 324).
Bromden mentions the dog, which he has mentioned in previous chapters of the novel. The dog represented the clearing of the fog and Bromden’s ability to see reality and not be smothered by the fog. The dog is mentioned again because Bromden is now completely free and able to be part of reality and escape the fog forever. Overall, with the help of McMurphy, Bromden is allowed to become free and become an individual.
