Burning Issues in One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest

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One of the central interpretations famously made in Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest is that of the division between 1950’s mainstream America and that of the emerging counter culture. The term ‘counterculture’ depicts cultural events and movements, mostly formed by the upcoming generation. This generation had grown up under the rule of conservative Governments and became restless and definite against the right wing governmental structure that had ruled with an iron fist. The formation of a ‘new wave’ culture incorporated all that was despised by mainstream society. Society in the 1950’s is portrayed in the text by the different roles of characters, the nurses and patients, with the emerging counter culture personified by McMurphy, who is attempting to rebel with the wards oppressive rules and structure. As he rebels the patients take note and their heads are slowly cleared of what Chief Bromden calls ‘the fog’.

The emergence of counterculture with its non-conformist and free thinking attitude, as well as its physical attempts of involvement in mainstream society, pre-empted the government and mainstream society to retaliate by suppressing and conforming these people, often branding them as criminals. This widespread oppression, created and actioned by the Government and mainstream society is personified in the text of ‘One flew over the Cuckoo’s nest’. The characters of the novel can be divided into three specific groups. The domineering and overpowering hospital staffs, is headed by the totalitarian Nurse Ratched. Ratched and her staff, who can be perceived as ‘henchmen’ represent the oppressive US government and mainstream society, controlling the actions and thoughts the majority of the American population, whi...

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...in this novel. Using a combination of vivid characters, themes and style. Kesey has successfully personified the divided situation of society during the 1950’s. The character of McMurphy depicts how the counterculture tried to reach the population, offering a new way of viewing the world. In doing this, the perception of Society’s American Dream was questions, agitating the governmental system. The use of the fog machine was an especially prominent symbol in depicting psychological warfare between the establishment, population and counterculture.

Bibliography:

"History in an Hour." Reds Under the Beds: Joseph McCarthy and the Cold War. Web. 10 May 2012. .Web.

Kesey, Ken, and Pan Books. Picador. One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest. London: Dominion, 1973. Book.

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