One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest Individualism Essay

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Sophomore Synthesis 10th Honors English Mr McCullough Frederikke Siggaard March 23, 2024 TITLE From an early age, individuals are pushed to adhere to the societal norms set by the people around us, whether it be family, religion, or government. To some, these norms are comforting, and to others, they seem to restrict their individuality. This ties in with self-reliance, where Emerson says society is the only constrictor of individualism. This can also be seen as the desire to be free from society's wrath and government as seen in The Bird that Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kese, He portrays characters as they attempt to escape a female antagonist, with the theme of perceived judgment of others, the lust for free expression, and the need …show more content…

Emerson urges us to stop valuing the opinions of others and to think for ourselves. Often when people don't conform, there are repercussions for their actions. Emerson writes, “For nonconformity, the world whips you with its displeasure. And therefore a man must know how to estimate a sour face. The by-standers look askance on him in the public street or in the friend’s parlour. If this aversion had its origin in contempt and resistance like his own, he might well go home with a sad countenance; but the sour faces of the multitude, like their sweet faces, have no deep cause, but are put on and off as the wind blows and a newspaper directs.” As soon as you choose not to conform, society looks at you with displeasure. Emerson says it's better to be authentic to yourself and forget what others think about you as society's opinions move in the wind. In One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Ken Kesey details the importance of free expression and the need to challenge authority. One of the most present themes is fear of what society thinks of you and how it acts when you are different:“It wasn't the practices, I don't think, it was the feeling that the great, deadly, pointing

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