One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a world renown film that have received a plethora of awards including the Academy Award five times. The movie takes place in mental institution and follows the story of Randall McMurphy, a 38 year old criminal who pleaded insanity after getting into legal trouble, and has now found himself amongst eighteen other mental patients (part F). McMurphy is an outgoing, unpredictable, and persistent character, who constantly rebelled against the strict regulations of the ward and encouraged the other patients to not conform to the oppressive nature of the system. Although in parts of the movie McMurphy displayed normal personality characteristics, it is in question whether or not he has antisocial personality disorder, …show more content…
which is when the subject has a constant disregard for other people. By analyzing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) and McMurphy’s behavior, one may conclude that he does exhibit characteristics of antisocial personality disorder. When looking at the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual the first section (A) is characterized by significant impairments in personality functioning, and the subcategory that McMurphy meets is (A1b) which states that that he has impairments in self functioning, especially in his self-direction.
When McMurphy first entered into the mental institution, he was under the impression that the amount of time that he would have been in jail, was the same amount of time that he would be in the ward. However, after one the attendants revealed to him that he could not control when he left, McMurphy’s main goal became to escape the ward. The problem with this is that his goal was rooted in a very selfish place because he was not focused on creating meaningful relationships with the men in the ward, rather he was focused only on escaping the ward because it would make him happy and it would benefit him. McMurphy also meets the criteria for (A2b), which states that he has impairments in interpersonal functioning, specifically in his intimacy. Early in the film you could see how McMurphy lacked the ability to have healthy intimate relationships, especially when he was found guilty for statutory rape and he proceeded to laugh about it and explain why he did not consider it rape, mainly because of the pleasure it allotted for him. In addition, in the two times we saw McMurphy with Candy, their relationship seemed to be rooted in their physical attraction which did not seem to be a healthy because McMurphy only wanted her to satisfy his
desires. In part B of the DSM, it is characterized by pathological personality traits that are in the domains of antagonism and disinhibition. McMurphy meets the requirements for (B1a) because in one part of the film when he wanted to sneak Candy and Rose into the ward, he bribed the staffer with twenty dollars, alcohol, and letting him interact with the women, so that he could ultimately be the one to benefit. In addition, at the beginning of the movie, McMurphy was flattering the doctor about the size of the fish that he caught in order to get on his good side, which is obviously only for his gain. He also fulfils the requirements for (B1b) because he was deceitful in the capacity of letting the nurses believe that he had taken his medicine but when he went back to the card table with the other patients, he showed them the pill that he had hid underneath his tongue. Moreover, when him and the other patients were at the boat dock, he deceived the attendant by making him believe that they were all doctors at the Washington State Mental Institution, in order to establish credibility with the person so that he could steal the boat. McMurphy also meets (B1c) because when he was confronted with the fact that he raped an underage female, he did not seem to feel guilt or remorse for his actions, rather he laughed about and explained the pleasure he got out of it. Also, he was found guilty five separate times for assault, and instead of recognizing that what he did was wrong, he explained his side of the story and basically concluded that the person deserved it. McMurphy sever hostility towards different situations certainly qualifies him for (B1d) because he becomes irritated very quickly and the situation can become very explosive. THe first indicator of this hostility would be his five assault charges, which clearly show that when he gets angry he can become violent. Next, while at the ward, he was playing a card game with the patients and he got frustrated that they could not play it correctly and he threw his cards dawn and called them nuts. Although, this did not involve any violence, it shows how angry he gets at very minor situations. During one of the therapy sessions, McMurphy asked if the TV’s could be turned on so they could watch the World Series, Nurse. Rachet said they could with a majority vote, so when the vote was tied and Chief raised his hand, Nurse. Rachet said it did not count because it was after the meeting, McMurphy became very enraged. In addition, he gets very angry about not being able to leave whenever he wanted, which also incites angers in some of the other patients, eventually this leads him to pushing through the glass in order to get Martini’s cigarettes and fighting one of the staffers. The morning after he snuck Candy and Rose into the ward, he was about jump out of the window to escape, and then one of the staffers came over and McMurphy proceeded to punch him. Lastly, when Billy has killed himself, McMurphy was so enraged that he tried to strangle Nurse. Rachet, due to her perceived involvement in Billy’s suicide. The second section of part B is characterized by disinhibition, specifically in the form of irresponsibility, impulsivity, and risk taking. McMurphy meets (B2a) which is irresponsibility because whenever he would play a game or want to bet on something, he would always use the patient's cigarettes and their money. This is a problem because his lack of respect for their property caused their privileges to be take away which we can see when Martini get’s upset with Nurse. Rachet about rationing his cigarette, and she finally says to him that because McMurphy was gambling with them that is why they are not able to freely use their own cigarettes. The doctor at the beginning of the film says that McMurphy has no regard for work and that he is quite lazy, this is problematic because his is not able to fulfil his financial responsibility to be able to live a stable life, which is probably why he partook in the armed robbery. McMurphy meets the requirements for (B2b) because he makes the very impulsive decision to steal the bus when the patients were going out for their recreation day, it did not seem that McMurphy thought about the consequences that could follow his decision, especially when he stole the boat too, and when they arrived back at the dock, he did not seem too bothered by the fact that everyone was looking for them. When McMurphy sent Candy and Billy into the room together, it was very sudden and was not necessarily something that Billy wanted to do, but McMurphy did not think about the possible outcome of the situation. McMurphy meets the requirements for (B2c) that states that the subject partakes in risky behaviors. When McMurphy stole the bus and the boat he did not consider or care about the possible consequences of his actions because he just wanted to leave the institution which obviously meant that he did not think about the danger that he could put himself and the patients in, especially when he left Martini in charge of driving the boat even though he had no prior experience. McMurphy gave the patients alcohol without even thinking twice about it, which was very risky because not all medications mix well with alcohol, so he could have put them in a lot of danger by his careless act. When McMurphy was climbing the barbed wire fence to escape the institution, that was extremely dangerous because he could have injured himself, but because he was focused on escaping he did not consider what could happen if his plan did not go as he foresaw would. McMurphy met the requirements for part C of the DSM because his characteristics seemed quite consistent during his stay at the mental institution and before he was admitted. He did not seem to have an developmental problems and although McMurphy did drink, he did not appear to take any drugs or substances that might cause his behavior and there was no mention of a preexisting medical condition, which is why he meets the requirements for parts D and E. Although Randall McMurphy showed characteristics that would not qualify him for the antisocial personality disorder, when you analyze his behavior and compare it to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, you can see that he does exhibit antisocial personality disorder. His goals while in the mental hospital, his key personality traits, and his lack of restraint all point to the idea that his motives were almost always in a selfish manner and without consideration of future events and consequences. McMurphy had times of genuine care for the patients, especially for the Chief and Billy, but ultimately his downfall was his explosive, unpredictable, and violent nature.
In Ken Kesey’s novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Randle Patrick McMurphy is the patients’ savior. By definition a savior is an individual who saves someone or something from danger, and who is regarded with the veneration of a religious figure. A savior either directly or indirectly gives faith to his followers in hopes of them continuing their fight against oppression. Upon his arrival to the ward McMurphy is quick to adapt the role of a Christ-figure as he helps the patients reach salvation from the societal restraints of the combine. Christ, however, is the ultimate savior. According to the bible Christ performed countless miracles to spiritually heal and inspire his followers. Christ’s most renowned act of miracle healing is when
McMurphy from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's nest and Luke from Cool hand Luke. Are both men that are similar to each other and that both can be used as examples of someone being a christ figure. The two of them in there own way we're able to be leaders of there peers and to have the trust from them, and to do it in a non violent way. Luke and McMurphy both get there men to stand up against the Boss and Big Nurse to do what is good for them. They both died while suffering. Just like Christ did.
Randle McMurphy is in a constant battle within himself, he is portrayed as a sociopath. He does not base his actions off of whether they will affect those around him, instead does as he pleases. His actions are based off of what is best for himself. McMurphy was first introduced as a savior to the ward, He soon uses the patients for his own benefit, the patients look up to him as one of their new proclaimed leader. McMurphy inspires hope into them and make them want to stand up for themselves. This give
In the story, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, by Ken Kesey, patients live locked up in a restricted domain, everyday taking orders from the dictator, Nurse Ratched. Once McMurphy enters this asylum, he starts to rally everyone up and acting like this hospital is a competitive game between him and Nurse Ratched. McMurphy promotes negative behavior, such as, gambling and going against the rules, to mess around with the nurses and so he can be the leader that everyone looks up to. McMurphy soon learns that he might not be in control after all. Nurse Ratched decides who will be let out and when. After realizing why no one has stood up to Nurse Ratched before, he starts to follow rules and obey the nurses. This changes the whole mood of the hospital,
Chief Bromden, who is presumably deaf and dumb, narrates the story in third person. Mr. McMurphy enters the ward all smiles and hearty laughter as his own personal medicine. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a story about patients in a psychiatric hospital, who are under the power of Nurse Ratched. Mrs. Ratched has control over all the patients except for Mr. McMurphy, who uses laughter to fight her power. According to Chief Bromden, McMurphy "...knows you have to laugh at the things that hurt you just to keep yourself in balance, just to keep the world from running you plumb crazy" (212). Laughter is McMurphy's medicine and tool to get him and the rest of the patients through their endless days at the hospital. The author's theme throughout the novel is that laughter is the best medicine, and he shows this through McMurphy's static character. The story is made up of series of conflicts between McMurphy and Nurse Ratched. McMurphy becomes a hero, changing the lives of many of the inmates. In the end, though, he pays for his actions by suffering a lobotomy, which turned him into a vegetable. The story ends when Bromden smothers McMurphy with a pillow and escapes to freedom.
McMurphy’s initial view of the mental hospital, is that he sees it as a new opportunity to take control and become the leader of the place. This desire of his is seen almost immediately when he enters the
R.P. McMurphy is a lively, rebellious, and rational patient that has recently been escorted into the insane asylum. Once in the bin, Randle becomes the self-proclaimed champion of the rights of the other ward patients, his adversary being Nurse Ratched (New York Times). He scrutinizes the asylum and the patients deciding that he needs to lighten the atmosphere. According to Filmsite, Movie Review McMurphy encourages the patients to participate in activities that will heighten their spirits and change their monotonous routines. McMurphy decides to challenge Nurse Ratched when he notices that the patients of the ward are overly organized and controlled through a rigid set of authoritarian rules and regulations that McMurphy questions: “God Almighty, she’s got you guys comin’ or goin’. What do you think she is, some kind of champ or somethin’?”--- “I bet in one week, I can put a bug so far up her ass, she don’t know whether to s—t or wind her wrist watch” (OFOTCN). Entertainment Weekly implies that McMurphy is unwilling to surrender to Nurse Ratched’s belittling power and rebels against corr...
Unable to see McMurphy imprisoned in a body that will go on living (under Nurse Ratched’s control) even though his spirit is gone, Chief smothers him to death that night. Then he escapes the hospital and leaves for Canada and a new life. We begin to see the different situations in which the patients struggle to overcome. Whether insane or not, the hospital is undeniably in control of the fates of its
In One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) The character McMurphy as played by Jack Nicholson, McMurphy’s is a criminal who is troubled and keeps being defiant. Instead of pleading guilty, McMurphy pleads insanity and then lands inside a mental hospital. Murphy reasons that being imprisoned within the hospital will be just as bad as being locked up in prison until he starts enjoying being within by messing around with other staff and patients. In the staff, McMurphy continuously irritates Nurse Ratched. You can see how it builds up to a control problem between the inmates and staff. Nurse Ratched is seen as the “institution” and it is McMurphy’s whole goal to rebel against that institution that she makes herself out to be.The other inmates view McMurphy like he is god. He gives the inmates reason to
When norms of society are unfair and seem set in stone, rebellion is bound to occur, ultimately bringing about change in the community. Ken Kesey's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest demonstrates the conflict of individuals who have to survive in an environment where they are pressured to cooperate. The hospital's atmosphere suppresses the patients' individuality through authority figures that mold the patients into their visions of perfection. The ward staff's ability to overpower the patients' free will is not questioned until a man named Randal McMurphy is committed to the mental institute. He rebels against what he perceives as a rigid, dehumanizing, and uncompassionate environment. His exposure of the flaws in the hospital's perfunctory rituals permits the other patients to form opinions and consequently their personalities surface. The patient's new behavior clashes with the medical personnel's main goal-to turn them into 'perfect' robots, creating havoc on the ward.
One Who Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a movie that portrays a life story of a criminal named McMurphy who is sent to a mental institution because he believes that he himself is insane. While McMurphy is in the mental ward, he encounters other patients and changes their perception of the “real” world. Before McMurphy came to the mental ward, it was a place filled with strict rules and orders that patients had to follow; these rules were created by the head nurse, Nurse Ratched. However, once McMurphy was in the ward, everything, including the atmosphere, changed. He was the first patient to disobey Nurse Ratched. Unlike other patients who continuously obeyed Nurse Ratched, McMurphy and another patient named Charlie Cheswick decided to rebel
Ken Kesey’s, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, is a novel containing the theme of emotions being played with in order to confine and change people. One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest is about a mental institution where a Nurse named Miss Ratched has total control over its patients. She uses her knowledge of the patients to strike fear in their minds. Chief Bromden a chronic who suffers from schizophrenia and pretends to be deaf and mute narrates the novel. From his perspective we see the rise and fall of a newly admitted patient, RP McMurphy. McMurphy used his knowledge and courage to bring changes in the ward. During his time period in the ward he sought to end the reign of the dictatorship of Nurse Ratched, also to bring the patients back on their feet. McMurphy issue with the ward and the patients on the ward can be better understood when you look at this novel through a psychoanalytic lens. By applying Daniel Goleman’s theory of emotional intelligence to McMurphy’s views, it is can be seen that his ideas can bring change in the patients and they can use their
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a compelling tale that brings a warning of the results of an overly conformist and repressive institution. As the narrator of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Chief Bromden, a paranoid half- Native American Indian man, has managed to go unnoticed for ten years by pretending to be deaf and dumb as a patient at an Oregon mental asylum. While he towers at six feet seven inches tall, he has fear and paranoia that stem from what he refers to as The Combine: an assemblage whose goal is to force society into a conformist mold that fits civilization to its benefit. Nurse Ratched, a manipulative and impassive former army nurse, dominates the ward full of men, who are either deemed as Acute (curable), or Chronic (incurable). A new, criminally “insane” patient named Randle McMurphy, who was transferred from the Pendleton Work Farm, eventually despoils the institution’s mechanical and monotonous schedule through his gambling, womanizing, and rollicking behavior.
Throughout the sixties , America- involved in the Cold War at this time- suffered from extreme fear of communism. This caused numerous severe changes in society ranging from corrupt political oppression, to the twisted treatment of the minority. Published in 1962, Ken Kesey ’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest , manages to capture these changes in the variety of ways. Kesey’s novel incorporates some of the main issues that affected the United States during the early and mid 60s. The government had no limits and was cruel to those who did not fit into society, including the mentally ill. The wrongful treatment of the people caused an eruption of rebellion and protest- thus the Beatnik era was born. The novel, written during this movement, sheds light on Kesey’s personal opinion on this chaotic period in US history . The treatment of mentally ill patients, the oppressive government, and uprising in the 1960s inspired Kesey while writing his novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
Even though McMurphy's own sacrifice of life is the price of his victory, he still attempts to push the ward patients to hold thier own personal opinions and fight for what is ethically right. For instinace, McMurphy states, "But I tried though,' he says. 'Goddammit, I sure as hell id that much, now didn't I?" McMurphy strains to bring the 'fellas' courage and determination in a place full of inadequacy and "perfection." McMurphy obtains a lot of courage in maintaining his own sort of personal integrity, and trying to keep the guys' intergrity and optimistic hope up.