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Theme of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

            While reading One Flew over the Cuckoo's nest the theme that stood out to me the most was the theme of being constantly watched and how that pressure can control your individuality and day to day actions. Whether it is literal or figuratively the characters in the book demonstrate several scenarios of where they felt like all eyes are on them. Through real life occurrences and internal conflicts in the characters the theme of watching is ever present throughout the novel.
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             The chief describes his feeling of uncertainty of the outside world when he describes the mental institution constantly watching him go through the motions of his everyday life. A man of his stature shouldn't need to fear anything. His physicality is far greater than of any others in the institution yet he feels the need to pretend like he couldn't talk or hear. It wasn't until he established a relationship with McMurphy that he is able to break out of his quiet shell formed by the pressures of the institution. These pressures come from figures such as the big nurse who tried her best to establish a constant daily routine with no room for individuality. As he establishes a trusting relationship with McMurphy he doesn`t feel watched as closely. As he starts to develop an identity for himself, the eyes of the institution slowly switch their focus and the chief establishes a sense of self.
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             Another form of watching is seen regarding Humpy being gay. He ignores his desires and sense of individuality because it goes against societies standards. He constantly is ignoring his individuality because of the eyes of society. If he came out and expressed his feelings it wouldn't hurt anyone. However, he feels the need to conform because of how much time he spends with the other men and how closely the workers such as the big nurse are watching him. The eyes of society and authority figures contribute to depriving him of what he wants and a part of him that makes him unique.


Essays Related to Theme of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

1. Notes on One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Themes: Individual vs. ... Insanity, don't rebel against authority Significance of Title: Cuckoo= a "mad" person, cuckoo's nest=psych hospital because it is filled with "mad" people. The one that flew over the cuckoo's nest is M because he is the only new member to join the story and seems to be the main focus of B's narration. Technically M flew into the Cuckoo's nest. ... Holistic Interpretation: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest demonstrates how great the impact one person can have on many, especially in the setting of a mental institution....

  • Word Count: 970
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

2. 1984 and one flew over the cuckoos nest

In the books 1984 by George Orwell, and One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest by Ken Kesey, there were similarity's such as theme and authors style. ... I thought that the passage on page 5 of 1984, and the passage on pages 4 and 5 of One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest, brought out some of both the similarities and differences of the books. ... The passage from One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest is filled with diction as well. ... I think the major difference between these passages was each ones purpose. ...

  • Word Count: 325
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  • Grade Level: High School

3. One Flew Over the Cuckoo

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Essay In the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, there are many different themes seen throughout the story. ... In One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, the most dominant themes are obedience, prejudice and the question of true insanity. The strongest theme in this novel is prejudice. ... (pg. 47) Another theme seen in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is obedience or higher power. ... The main themes in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest are prejudice, obedience and the question of McMurphy's insanity. ...

  • Word Count: 987
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Imagery in One Flew Over the Cuckoo

In One Flew over the Cuckoo's nest Kesey uses three different kinds of imagery to develop the story and creates vivid Pictures in the mind of the reader. In One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, Chief Bromden's fantasies are dominated by images of machines, and these images occur throughout the novel. ... In One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, there are numerous examples of animal imagery. ... In another part of the poem it says, "One flew east, one flew west, one flew over the cuckoo's nest". ... There are also numerous examples of cartoon imagery In Ken Kesey's One F...

  • Word Count: 1280
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  • Grade Level: High School

5. As You Like It and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Both Shakespeare's comedic play As You Like It and Ken Kesey's post-modernist novel, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," portrays the transformation of its characters throughout the texts, via a close examination of the gradual evolution of character that occurs within the protagonists of each text. ... Similarly, Kesey's, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," reflects the transformative process of the journey through the experiences of Chief Bromden. ... This can be seen in Kesey's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest through the relationship of the Chief and McMurph...

  • Word Count: 1017
  • Approx Pages: 4
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6. Ken Kesey in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, one of the greatest works of American literature, catalyzed Ken Kesey's career and fame. ... Ken Kesey, well-known for composing the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, worked in extremely unorthodox conditions, but still had the capability to embed a deep and powerful message within the book. ... Ken Kesey wrote other books later on, but none of them would ever compete with One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. ... He was greatly known for the book One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, which launched his career farther than he could ever imag...

  • Word Count: 1510
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7. Themes of One Flew Over the Cuckoo

Ken Kesey's novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, deals with many intriguing themes. One of these themes is man Vs. woman. This theme is best depicted through the characters McMurphy and Nurse Ratched. ... Harding even compares him to a cowboy at one point. ...

  • Word Count: 292
  • Approx Pages: 1
  • Grade Level: High School

8. One flew over the cuckoo's nest

In One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, it is apparent that Kesey begins to explore social issues such as individuality and conformity as these themes seem to run ramped throughout the novel. In the novel, he personifies the institution itself as means of portraying ones needs to conform to society. ... Nevertheless, there is one patient who is frightened by the idea of free thought. ...

  • Word Count: 451
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  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

9. One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

Milos Forman's "One Flew Over the Cockoo's Nest" is based on Kesey's best selling novel. Its allegorical theme is set in an authentic mental hospital, a state hospital in Oregon. "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" represents a place of resistance exhibited by a lively, eccentric anti-hero against the hospital he is placed in and authority that runs it. ... He introduces each one of them as doctors. ... One night McMurphy p...

  • Word Count: 3006
  • Approx Pages: 12
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