Dehumanity And Conformity In John Kesey's The Combine

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Through the use of feminine and masculine symbols, Kesey explores the masculinity versus femininity and the civilising influences that it has on the patients of the ward. Ratched a former army nurse, represents ‘The Combine’, the oppressive mechanization, dehumanization, and emasculation of modern society where the women are portrayed as ‘wolves’, ‘sly and elusive’ whilst the men as the ‘frightened rabbits’ their prey. Although known to show her ‘hideous self’ in front of the Bromden and the aides, the ‘Big Nurse’ is able to regain her doll-like composure and mask her humanity and femininity behind a devilishly manipulative and patronising façade in front of the patients. This parallels oppressive forces in society who gain superiority through …show more content…

Through the use of character sizes, Kesey is able to illustrate the emasculation of men. Chief Bromden, parallels individuals sizes with the amount of power and control that they possess. Despite his ‘imposing’ 7ft tall stature, Bromden sees himself as being ‘little’ and ‘invisible’ intimidated by Nurse Ratched who is as ‘big as a tractor’ and the other controlling women in his life who are ‘too big to be beaten’. Similar to other powerful women in his life who control and belittle men, Bromden states how his mother was twice the size of he and his father. A stark contrast to the stunted and emasculated patients, McMurphy was ‘big’, radiating self-masculinity, his ‘big hands’ covered in ‘scars and tattoos’ seemed as if they could protect anyone. Contrary to the powerless patients around him, McMurphy’s size empowered him to confront Nurse Ratched and her oppressive and ‘diabolical regime’. An imposing force in his own right, McMurphy attacked Nurse Ratched’s oppressive regime, rebelling against the environment she had created in an attempt to restore the patients’ masculinity. As the novel progressed, McMurphy empowered the patients to gain confidence, to take control over their wellbeing and their lives, hence growing in ‘size’. McMurphy’s tragic demise is consistent with this transfer of his power and highlighted through the complete empowerment of the patients specifically through Bromden. McMurphy established himself as a ‘large’ force, swaying the balance of power by introducing sexuality through his card games, as well as laughter from his entertaining stories. With McMurphy’s help, Bromden overcame the belittling and was ‘blown back up to full size’ as he regained

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