Chief Bromden Sparknotes

The entire novel is narrated through the eyes of Chief Bromden, a Red Indian who is considered by everyone to be deaf and dumb. The Chief gives us an insight into the character sketch of all the participants in the story, including himself. Although the Chief is a patient in the hospital, I believe that he was not mentally ill when he was admitted into the facility but rather was reduced to such a state because of the kind of practices that were prevalent there. Through this reflective journal I would like to prove the same and would also elaborate upon how the Chief was able to regain his freedom of thought and expression, thereby heading towards liberty.

(pg. 1-2) In the first page of the novel we see that the Chief, who is referred to as Chief Broom because he was usually given the job of sweeping the floors, is in control of his thoughts and actions and is only pretending to be deaf and dumb in order to avoid being noticed by the authority. The Chief while describing nurse Ratched, who looks after the ward in the mornings, says “they should of knew better’n to group up and mumble together when she was due on the ward”, which gives us a hint that he
He feels that the fog is being lifted now; thereby, allowing him to come out of hiding and appreciate natural beauty (pg. 162). He manages to say, “thank you” (pg. 217) to McMurphy after he offers him gum, thereby conveying the message that he is gaining confidence in himself. The Chief having acquired full potential and strength, with the help of McMurphy manages to break through the wall and escape into freedom (pg. 324). All these instances just prove that he was never mentally ill. The hospital’s environment aggravated his trauma by reminding him of similar situations he had faced, before being admitted there. He just needed a little support from someone to get back on his feet and become his bold and confident self