In the novel, "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" a very controlled psychiatric ward meets chaos when McMurphy arrives. Before his arrival the ward was orderly especially with nurse Ratched using her dictator-esque and controlling methods. Before McMurphy the ward had a certain atmosphere that embodied what society thought was acceptable. McMurphy brought his individuality that caused chaos and changed the views of the other patients and how they needed to approach life.
Like society claims, those who are different should be treated on another spectrum and looked at as a stereotype. However McMurphy's sense of individuality draws out the uniqueness of the others and takes away the complete control of society. He was depicted as careless, disruptive, and authentic despite the conditions of the ward and the restrictions society had placed on it. While there was some difficulty with expressing his individuality with the other patients, his true ambitions and drive effected the patients in a way that society could never change. Even though McMurphy ended up in the state that society wanted him to be he still is viewed as successful especially to the narrator, chief Bromden who learned how to be successful in his own way. He was successful in helping others figure out who they were. However tragic McMurphy's death left an imprint on the dreams of the patients and pushed them to act as they wanted to act. |