One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest Literary Analysis

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Have you ever been uncomfortable with what someone has said and wish they would stop talking? Well, what if they have a key point to get across? There may always be a deeper meaning. With that being said, many controversial topics such as violence, sexual situations, and racism are being shown throughout the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey. There are many upset parents wondering how a curriculum could keep a book like this. While the book does contain these sore subjects, it is also important to realize it has many helpful values as well. For example, the novel has great symbolism, characterization, and imagery for the reader.

The story follows Randle McMurphy, a character who has faked a mental illness in order to get himself out of prison and put into a mental institution instead. Upon his arrival he immediately clashed …show more content…
He becomes quite disruptive and loud in his ways, but for a reason. Throughout the book he influences the other members with the intent of freeing their minds and helping them realize how controlling the Nurse is over their actions. The next important character is who could be considered the main character, Chief Bromden. The Chief is a tall Native American war veteran who was put on the ward for PTSD. While he was staying there, it was assumed he was deaf and dumb. Which is a common stereotype for native Americans. He used the racial stereotype to his advantage and while pretending to be deaf he could listen to private conversations while he was the janitor.

While it is true that One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest does contain a decent amount of objectionable material, it is important to realize the book is much bigger than the inappropriate aspects within. To begin,

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest Literary Analysis

some people, those lenses and views define their personality. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest introduces characters such as Chief Bromden and Nurse Ratched who experience completely different worlds from the patients and staff who live and function in the same ward as them. Due to their uniquely distorted ideas of the world, these characters influence their versions of reality rather than real life. In One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the characters’ identities are shaped by the soundness of their…

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Gray In 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest'

patients also face another wave of this suffering simply because of their heritage. Lord's assessment highlights that the novel doesn't have one standout character or situation representing its time, nor a clear hero or villain. Yet, it effectively contrasts the East and West Coasts and individualism and community. The literary value of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" justifies its retention in the school's curriculum despite objectionable material, as it offers valuable insights into societal power…

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Who Is The Antagonist In One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest: Analysis Ken Kesey’s novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, tells the story of patients in a mental hospital. It was the 1960s and the characters are ruled by the Big Nurse. All the patients obey her command despite the agony she brings, until one new patient shows up, named McMurphy. He brings new life to the ward and stands up against the nurse. Eventually, he brings all of the patients on his side to rally against authority. The three most relevant elements in…

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Novel and Summer Reading Essay

of school board-approved reading not necessarily taught in the classroom. This will also provide a more comprehensive literary background for those who choose to seek college credit through successful completion of the Advanced Placement examinations. Our philosophy is that summer reading should be pleasurable and thought-provoking, and should cover a wide range of literary genres. As a result, we have selected a list of board-approved, grade-level appropriate texts for students to read. Although…

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