One Flew over the Cuckoo ' s Nest and Mcmurphy Essay

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Krista Bretana May 1, 2015 ELA 30-1 P2 One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

The state and experience of being separated from a certain group can put individuals into difficult situations. The mentally ill are often in a vulnerable state in which leads them to the possibility of losing their sanity. It is the environment they are surrounded by that will truly determine their journey into rehabilitation. By examining Nurse Ratched’s treatment of patients, fear is noticed throughout the actions in which manipulation defeats the ability to stand up for oneself. Milos Forman, director of the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, suggests that alienation, when not put into the right type of care can lead individuals into wrong conduct. By examining R.P McMurphy, Billy Bibbit and Chief Bromden, the audience sees that through the ability to feel free, comes the motivation of individualism in one’s life. When faced with the injustices from authority, it takes courage and bravery to go against all odds, stepping out the comfort zone. The protagonist, R.P McMurphy is a confident and lively felon who is questioned if really crazy, becomes a mythic figure to everyone in the ward. He is faced with motivation as he slowly begins to realize the treatment towards the patients. During the group discussion, Harding is faced with the root of his insanity; his wife and his sexuality. Nurse Ratched, questioning Harding, asks whether the rest of the group has comments on the issue on how Harding knew his wife was cheating which causes disruption in the discussion. McMurphy, being observant, notices the cold glare on Nurse Ratched’s face as if she enjoys the chaos and bickering amongst the group. McMurphy causes a stir when Nurse Ratched announces that it’s medication time. He tells Nurse Pilbow, “I don’t like the idea of putting something in my body if I don’t know what it is.” This suggests that as incompetent he may seem, McMurphy is clever on what the ward’s true intentions are for these people. As McMurphy reaches realization, he begins to encourage the other residents to rebel against Nurse Ratched’s orders. For instance, he sneaks two women with alcohol into the ward. Everything gets out of hand as nearly everyone is intoxicated, creating a tense atmosphere the morning after. Another example is when McMurphy escapes from the ward and steals the bus, leading everyone to a pier in which he decides they’d go fishing, as something new for a change. McMurphy stands up against the barriers, locks, and shackles, as they emphasize the hopelessness of the patients in the ward. Under professional care, it is expected that patients receive the nurture they require, allowing them to continue to rebuild themselves during their stay. Billy Bibbit, a timid adolescent-like man, does not receive the right kind of comfort as his issue is discussed with head nurse, Nurse Ratched. She uses the concept of threatening Billy about his depression, alongside his late night fiasco with Candy to put him into shame. Billy is timid and fearful of his atmosphere in which causes him a stuttering problem. In feeling free and manly after sleeping with Candy, Billy speaks to Nurse Ratched in confidence without stuttering. However, she tears him down with threats causing Billy to choose suicide, a reckless independent decision. It is suggested that perhaps the cure to certain internal dysfunctions could be found through the feeling of liberation. For instance, although Billy is a voluntary patient, he believes he is not prepared for the real world until McMurphy gives him the confidence by saying he should be ‘out in
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