One Flew Over the Cukoo's nest #2 (cm1135)

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s nest

       When you’re told the next assigned novel you’re going to read for class is about an insane asylum your reaction might be the same as mine. I thought that this novel was going to be yet another book I didn’t enjoy reading, but I am happy to say I was wrong. This is certainly one of the better books I have read in my educational career.

       The novel is told through the Chief’s eyes which gives it an interesting take. One thing you’ll notice about the Chief is that he is very observant, he notices everything. He has been there the longest of the patients. The only one who has been there longer than him is Nurse Ratched. She is not a likeable character. She is a rather cold mother like figure. She seems to be somewhat afraid of men; she strips the men in the asylum of their dignity, freedom and manhood. In other words she is a female “castrator”. Which goes along with the point the author was trying to make about how he felt regarding the feminist movement of his time going too far?

       Chief is one of my favorite characters. You just can’t help but like him. He is so large and strong, but so gentle and quiet. It’s sad to see in the beginning of the novel that the Chief is so emotionally, and mentally beat down by the Nurse, and the asylum that he has taken a vow of silence. Everyone thinks he is stupid and can’t understand anything, but he has them all fooled. We see a major change in the Chief from the beginning of the novel to the end. He gains strength as RPM loses strength. He views RPM as a father figure.

       This brings me to my second favorite character in the book. Rendell Patrick McMurphy. As soon as he enters the asylum he is laughing, and talking with the other patients. Rendell tries at every opportunity to overpower the Nurse which eventually leads to him trying to kill her. I personally like Rendell because he constantly tries to pull all of the patients out of the “fog”.

       Rendell ultimately sacrifices his life for the Chief’s. The Chief slowly regains his identity through Rendell, and eventually escapes the “combine”. It’s sad however to see the demise of such a lively, outgoing character like RPM

              Overall I loved this book, and would recommend it to anyone. Ken Kesey makes his point while allowing readers to enjoy the novel and explore the asylum, and the others character through the chief’s eyes.