One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a novel by Ken Kesey that was first published in 1962. The book is set in an Oregon psychiatric hospital and tells the story of a rebellious patient, Randle McMurphy, who attempts to lead the other patients in a revolt against the hospital’s oppressive regime.
One of the key elements in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is the use of symbols. The most important symbol in the novel is the cuckoo clock, which represents both the hospital and its control over the patients’ lives. The cuckoo clock is always ticking, reminding the patients that time is running out for them to escape from the hospital.
Another important symbol in the novel is the water tower. The water tower is a symbol of freedom, and McMurphy tries to climb it several times in order to escape from the hospital. However, he is always stopped by the Nurse or another authority figure.
Quotes are also an important part of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Many of the characters’ most memorable lines are spoken during dramatic moments in the novel. Some of the most famous quotes from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest include:
“I’m not crazy, I’m just not normal.” – Randle McMurphy
“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.” – Albert Camus
“The only way to find out the truth is to go and see for yourself.” – Chief Bromden
“Hell, I ain’t got no quarrel with you men. I’m just telling you the truth. It’s time you knew it. Hell, it’s time everybody knew it.” – Randle McMurphy
A haze of fog is frequently observed by Bromden as part of his delusion. Fog is a natural occurrence that blurs the view of the world, and it’s utilized in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest to symbolize lack of awareness and provide an escape from reality. As Bromden sinks deeper into his delusions, the fog gets thicker. He comes to believe that there are fog machines in the ward’s ventilation systems, with which the nurses are using mind control to enslave him.
Randle McMurphy is another character who frequently references the world of symbols. One of his most famous quotes comes from a conversation he has with the Chief, in which he says “I’m not crazy, I’m just not like you.” This quote communicates the idea that people can see the world in different ways and that there is no one right way to view things. For McMurphy, this means rejecting the authority of the psychiatric ward and choosing to live life on his own terms.
Kesey uses symbols and quotes throughout One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest to communicate important messages about society, freedom, and mental health. By understanding these symbols and quotes, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the novel and its characters.
He starts to think of the fog as a safety net, seeing it as a means of anonymity. Outside of its clear meaning in Bromden’s life, the fog symbolizes Nurse Ratched’s harsh regimen and abusive treatment, which she subjects her patients to.
The fog also symbolizes the power that she holds over them. “I been watching TV and I seen them bring out a big bottle of fog and pour it all over a city so’s you can’t see nothing, not even your hand in front of your face. And I thought to myself, ‘That’s what she’s doing to us, only we can see through it.'” (Kesey 9)
This quote from Bromden exemplifies how he feels about Ratched and the control she has over him and the other patients. The way he compares her to the bottle of fog is significant because it not only shows how Bromden sees her – as someone who is hiding something – but also how he views himself and the other patients. They are all trapped in the fog, unable to see a way out.
The red eyes may represent the danger that McMurphy poses to the Combine. The black satin fabric may represent death. The giant, lobotomized black man known as Chief Bromden is the novel’s narrator. He is also a symbol of hope. Chief Bromden is the only character who can see through the fog created by the Combine. He represents the possibility of escape from the prison of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
The character of Randle Patrick McMurphy is a symbol of rebellion against authority. McMurphy challenges the rules of the asylum and attempts to lead a revolt against Nurse Ratched. He represents the hope that individualism can triumph over conformity.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest also uses biblical references. One example is when McMurphy compares Nurse Ratched to the Biblical character, Jezebel. He says that she is, “…twice as mean and sneaky and treacherous as any woman that ever lived, including that old piece of garbage, Jezebel.” In the book of Revelation, Jezebel is thrown into a lake of fire, which McMurphy believes is what Nurse Ratched deserves.
The character of Harding is often associated with Jesus Christ. He is said to have the “wounds of a lamb,” referring to Christ’s crucifixion. Additionally, his initials are the same as Christ’s (H.C.). One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is full of symbols and quotes that help to reveal the author’s message. Ken Kesey uses these symbols to express the novel’s themes of rebellion and freedom.
Chief Bromden’s narrative also establishes that McMurphy is not, in fact, insane. The relationship between Nurse Ratched and McMurphy serves as a microcosm of society: the latter thrives on Nurse Ratched’s oppression while the former needs it to survive. The Chief explains that through inaction and apathy, society is both uncaring and unable to help people who are suffering from mental illness; therefore, it can’t possibly understand what McMurchy feels like inside.
“She makes me feel I ain’t nothin’ but a bug, she’d like to step on. She looks down at me from way up there and I can see the bugs squirming around under her shoe, and she’s just waiting.” – McMurphy, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
McMurphy is constantly challenging Ratched’s authority and mocking her. In this quote, he compares himself to a bug that Ratched enjoys stepping on. This comparison is significant because it shows how McMurphy feels about Ratched’s power over him. It also foreshadows McMurphy’s eventual downfall at the hands of Ratched.
The Combine is a symbol for the oppressive forces in the novel. It represents the government, the hospital, and any other institution that tries to control people’s lives. The Combine is always trying to control the patients on the ward and keep them in line.
