Free Essays – The Scarlet Letter and Cuckoo’s Nest

a window but fails. He also tries to persuade the Chief to try it himself, but due to feelings of inferiority, the Chief is unable to do so. Towards the end of the novel, influenced by McMurphy's presence, the Chief realizes he is regaining his former size and strength while McMurphy becomes smaller under Nurse Ratched's control and eventually undergoes lobotomy-order. This causes him to appear even smaller than before in Chief Bromden's eyes. Nevertheless, it is evident that significant personal growth has occurred for the Chief. As an act of mercy, he suffocates McMurphy and successfully hurls the control panel out of a window for their escape. Ken Kesey's portrayal of both characters suggests that an individual's perception of themselves can be influenced by their power or freedom.
The theme is also found in Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter." Both books offer profound insights into human behavior, establishing them as timeless literary works alongside Kesey and Hawthorne's other writings. Additionally, both authors recognize the significant link between mental and physical states, as they mutually influence each other. Furthermore, Kesey emphasizes the role of one's environment in shaping their perception.