One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest一只飞越杜鹃窝.. Wikispaces.pptVIP

* ALLEGORY—An allegory is a form of extended metaphor, in which objects, persons, and actions in a narrative are equated with the meanings that lie outside the narrative itself * * STRUGGLE FOR POWER/CONTROL— WOMEN AS CASTRATORS—Except for the prostitutes (shown as good), women are portrayed as threatening and terrifying. Patients suffer emasculation or castration at the hands of Nurse Ratched and the hospital supervisor (a woman). Fear of women is rampant (Billy’s fear of his mother who treats him like a baby as cause for his suicide; Bromden’s mother portrayed as domineering—father took mother’s name; hospital run by women who have the power over the men; Nurse Ratched lobotomizing McMurphy, taking away his individuality and freedom). – SparkN THE POWER OF LAUGHTER—Nurse Ratched’s ability to dominate the patients is a result of her controlling their laughter. McMurphy notices that, “the first thing that got to me about this place, that there wasnt anybody?laughing. I havent heard a real laugh since I came through that door, do you know that? Man, when you lose your laugh you lose your footing. A man go around lettin a woman whup him down till he cant laugh any more, and he loses one of the biggest edges hes got on his side. First thing you know hell begin to think shes tougher than he is. . . (Kesey 65). * * * INVISIBILITY—Bromden trying to be as invisible as possible by pretending not to understand or hear what is going on around him. The references to a fog that hides and keeps him safe. INVISIBILITY—Hallucinations about hidden machines controlling patients. McMurphy smashing through glass that he presumably can’t see. POWER OF LAUGHTER—McMurphy’s is the first genuine laughter on the ward in years. None of the patients can laugh or smile. Bromden remembers the power of his father’s laughter when mocking government officials. After the fishing trip, Harding, Scanlo, Dr. Spivey, and Sefelt are all able to laugh—showing their recovery. REALITY VS. IMAGINED SIZE—