One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Essay Sample

Nurse Ratched and McMurphy have many differences from the way they think to the way they present themselves. McMurphy represents sexuality, freedom, and self-determination. While Nurse Ratched represents  oppressiveness , dehumanization, and emasculation of modern society. “No. He isn’t extraordinary. He is simply a man and no more, and is subject to all the fears and all the cowardices and the timidity that any other man is subject to. Given a few more days, I have a very strong feeling that he will prove this, to us as well as the rest of the patients.” (Ken Kasey 136) This shows Nurse Ratched will not let McMurphy show his individuality and let the other patients think they can act in such a manner as well. “He’d shown us what a little bravado and courage could accomplish, and we thought he’d taught us how to use it. All the way to the coast we had fun pretending to be brave. When people at a stop light would stare at us and our green uniforms we’d do just like he did, sit up straight and strong and tough-looking.” (Kesey 203) McMurphy is a leader to the other patients which helps them become more confident.  He shows the other patients  just because they're in a mental institution they can still have their own personality and confidence.