Essay about One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest Free
Essay about One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest Free

Essay about One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest Free

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  • Pages: 2 (481 words)
  • Published: November 4, 2018
  • Type: Essay
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Ken Kesey, the author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, published in 1960, presents a remarkable and literal masterpiece depicting events within a mental clinic. Kesey's genius in storytelling is enhanced by his vast experiences in working with mental patients. This novel takes place in an Oregon asylum, specifically in a mental ward.

The movie version of One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, directed by Milos Foreman and released in 1975, received critical acclaim and won five Academy Awards. The original novel, published in 1962, was also recognized by Times Magazine as one of the top 100 English-language novels from 1923 to 2005. The story takes place in an asylum in Oregon and primarily focuses on the events leading up to Chief Bromden's escape from this institution. As the narrator, Chief Bromden has spent a significant amount of time within the asyl

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um due to his belief in "The Combine," a controlling force that he experiences delusions about (Kesey, 118). He explains how this force has affected him throughout many years, despite initially resisting it because of his size. Through Chief Bromden's storytelling, readers gain insight into his experiences within the ward and witness the ongoing conflict between rebellious convict Randle McMurphy and Nurse Ratched, who is employed at the institution. McMurphy purposely pretends to be insane as a tactical move to make serving his sentence for gambling and battery easier.

Chief Bromden reveals the secrets and conflicts between Randle and Nurse Ratched in the institution. Nurse Ratched, the head nurse, enforces strict control and authority over both the patients and her subordinates. For instance, McMurphy questions whether Nurse Ratched knows that the black boys spend most

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of their shifts watching TV, highlighting her fear-inspiring power (Kesey, 185). After Nurse Ratched threatens Billy, leading to his suicide, McMurphy retaliates by attacking her, attempting to strangle her and tearing off her dress. In response, she subjects him to a lobotomy, leaving him in a vegetative state upon his return to the ward. Stripped of her power, Ratched decides to suffocate McMurphy. The astonishing events in this novel inspired the creation of a movie with the same title.

Despite its many advantages, one drawback of adapting a book into a movie is that the final product will inevitably be somewhat altered. Certain elements that may get lost in the process include the overall mood, specific setting, and even the progression of the storyline. This particular movie serves as a prime example, as it is apparent that there are changes in the way characters are portrayed compared to the book's perspective. A notable instance of this is seen through the character of Ratched. In the book, she is depicted as a manipulative and calculating nurse who exerts her authority over both patients and staff. However, in the movie adaptation, her powerful image is diminished, particularly in the meetings where she fails to fully display her dominance.

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