McMurphy vs. Nurse Ratched
McMurphy and Ratched are continuously fighting over the power of the patients throughout this novel. Before McMurphy came to the ward Ratched had all the power she could have over the patients. They did exactly as she said at all times. When McMurphy arrived to the ward they all instantly knew that there was something different about him. He enters with a big smile on his face and this confuses the patients. From here on out McMurphy is constantly battling Ratched and trying to make her snap. McMurphy is constantly breaking her rules and causing problems. He wants the patients to join him on this fight against Ratched but it is hard for them to rebel. McMurphy give her many struggles in this novel and even attempts to kill her. Ratched begins giving McMurphy electroshock therapy and he does not want her to feel as if she has won so he acts as if it does not bother him. She then gives him a lobotomy and that turns McMurphy into a vegetable. This now is when I believe Ratched feels as if she has won their game of control. McMurphy cannot do anything to her anymore because he is barely alive. This now shows Ratched her success everyday because every time she looks at him she knows she has won. Which this is why I feel as if when Chief Bromden kills McMurphy it is because he knows that if McMurphy is gone Ratched cannot sit and admire what she has done anymore.
I feel as throughout this novel both Ratched and McMurphy were constantly fighting over the control of the patients. McMurphy wanted to help them realize what the worlds like outside of this ward and Ratched wants her patients to obey her just as she says. McMurphy was a threat to Ratched and her love of power and I feel that is why she did what she did to McMurphy.
I agree there was a constant struggle for power between and McMurphy and Ratched and she wouldn’t be able to handle it if he won that is why she sends him to shock therapy and to have a lobotomy.
↓ Quote | Posted December 10, 2006, 4:47 pm“She then gives him a lobotomy and that turns McMurphy into a vegetable. This now is when I believe Ratched feels as if she has won their game of control.” I also believe that at that point, Ratched believes the ultimately won the control struggle. I’m still a strong believer that Bromden kills McMurphy as a sign of mercy for his state.
↓ Quote | Posted December 11, 2006, 10:10 am