Topic > Mcmurphy's problematic character and status in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

“A hero like Mac [McMurphy] must be perceived as a hero; and like our eyes and ears in the novel, the conventionally mute Chief Bromden becomes the expression of McMurphy's greatness” (Klinkowitz). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Chief Bromden, as an attentive narrator, has the eyes and ears that guide readers through the 1960s American mental institution in Ken Kesey's One Flew Over the World in Ken Kesey's Cuckoo's Nest. Bromden unreliably recounts McMurphy's confident entry into the department. McMurphy's tenacity leads people to have different opinions about his character. Klinkowitz argues that Bromden's biased perspective makes McMurphy seem heroic; and Kesey uses Bromden's narration to portray McMurphy as a beneficent leader. However, McMurphy abuses his heroic qualities to take advantage of other patients, disrupts the social dynamic of the ward, and manipulates patients into dangerous situations. Randal Patrick McMurphy's presence on the ward leads patients to their deaths rather than freedom, contradicting Kesey's contention that McMurphy is a hero within the ward. McMurphy mocks the unstable patients on the ward, takes advantage of their trust in him and tricks them into placing unfair bets. For example, Bromden observes the chaos on the fishing boat: "I heard McMurphy laughing and saw him out of the corner of my eye, standing at the cabin door, not even making a movement to do anything... Everybody was yelling at him to do something, but it wasn't moving. Even the doctor, who had the deep pole, was asking McMurphy for help. And McMurphy was just laughing” (Kesey 213). assistance. A true friend would not laugh at the failures of others as McMurphy does; here he shows his true self by making fun of them. Bromden does not realize that he and the other patients are mistreated by McMurphy and sees him as a superior be an equal in the group. Similarly, Nurse Ratched analyzes McMurphy's dishonest plans towards patients: Look at some of these gifts, as his devoted fans might call them. First there was the gift of the bathtub. Was it really his to give? Did you lose something by purchasing it as a gaming casino? Besides, how much do you think he earned in the short time he was croupier of his little Monte Carlo here in the department? How much have you lost, Bruce? Mr. Sefelt? Mr. Scanlon? I think you all have an idea of ​​what your personal losses were, but do you know how much his total winnings were, based on the deposits he made into Funds? Almost three hundred dollars. (228) Bromden describes Nurse Ratched in a negative manner causing the reader to ignore everything she says; however his statement is true. McMurphy gambles in this department with insignificant items such as cigarettes, resulting in entire savings; yet he never loses. To prove his point and convey the corruption of authority, Kesey consistently writes of Nurse Ratched as a tyrannical, miserable figure and of McMurphy as a Christ-like figure. When McMurphy arrives on the ward he gambles with all the patients, profiting from their trust in him. McMurphy uses his increased mental stability to trick other patients into betting against him and losing their money. When McMurphy enters the ward, Cheswick feels pressure to impress McMurphy by undermining Nurse Ratched. He finally sends Cheswick into Disturbedwhere he loses his mental capacity, ultimately leading to his death. Therefore, McMurphy's untrustworthy behavior starts the chain of events leading to Cheswick's death. To begin, during a group therapy session, Bromden observes: “He [Cheswick] nods stiffly, then lowers his chin to his chest frowning. He is happy to be sitting next to McMurphy, feeling brave” (104). Immediately after McMurphy enters the ward, Cheswick loses his filter hoping to gain McMurphy's approval. Cheswick wants McMurphy's praise because he intimidates him, idolizes him, and treats him like a god. McMurphy's confidence creates a judgmental and untouchable atmosphere around him. Furthermore, during another group meeting, Cheswick exclaims: “'I'm not some kid who keeps cigarettes hidden from me like biscuits! We want something done, don't we, Mack?” and waited for McMurphy to hold him up, all he got was silence... He went limp as if he'd been punctured, and the two big ones dragged him all the way to Disturbed; you could hear the soggy bounce of him climbing the steps” (149). Cheswick stands up for the other patients, expecting assistance from his "friend" Mack as he has done since his arrival. McMurphy chooses not to speak because he had the epiphany that Nurse Ratched controls when he leaves the ward and his selfishness prevents him from taking the risk of challenging her. However, McMurphy disappoints Cheswick and the other patient with his narcissistic behavior and silence. To continue, soon after Cheswick returns to the troubled chief watching his death: But just as soon as we got to the pool he said he wished something would be done, though, and jumped into the water. And his fingers somehow got stuck in the grate that's above the drain at the bottom of the pool... when they took a screwdriver, opened the grate and brought up Cheswick, with the grate still gripped by his chubby fingers, pinky and blue, he was drowned. (151)Due to electroshock therapy in Disturbed Cheswick loses his common sense; as a result he drowns in the pool. McMurphy's inconsistent behavior in this department creates the events that lead to Cheswick's rebellious behavior. McMurphy's rebellious behavior gives rise to Billy Bibbit's insecurities causing him to act recklessly and ultimately die. For starters, when Nurse Ratched finds Billy and Candy in the bathtub after obvious sexual activity, she states, "'Billy, this girl couldn't have dragged you here by force'... 'S-she did.' He looked around and "And MM-McMurphy!" disobeying department rules by sneaking out of bedrooms, drinking and having sex with a prostitute. McMurphy and the others tease Billy about his lack of sexual experience and he wants to be accepted among his peers. The teasing and the provocations only become a problem after McMurphy's arrival on the ward. McMurphy negatively changes the social dynamic of the ward, making the patients feel insecure and humiliated. Indeed, Billy was so remorseful for his actions that he “cut his own throat… He opened the doctor's desk and found some instruments and cut his own throat. He killed himself there in the doctor's chair his throat cut…First Charles Cheswick and now William Bibbit! I hope you are finally satisfied. Gambling with human lives, gambling with human lives, as if I thought I was a God!” (274). Billy feels embarrassed about his"..