Cuckoo's Nest Conformity

Society is an incredibly powerful social phenomenon that is influential from the moment of birth. Taking on the challenge of changing even a small microcosm of society such as the ward in Ken Keseys “One Flew Over the Cuckoos’ Nest” is a futile task for a single person. Society is structured as such that those who inhibit it are nurtured to be perfect individuals, complicit and expected to conform to the rules. Breaking the pattern, as seen with the struggles of characters such as Billy Bibbit, Dale Harding and Randle McMurphy, can be viewed as a herculean task. The deep-rooted and dangerous effects of uniformity on the human brain can be seen in childhood and beyond, clearly shown with Chief Bromden’s past and present. Breaking such norms
Considering that certain aspects of behaviour and personality can be acquired through socialization, society encompasses and shapes an individual at an extremely young age. In the context of a controlled environment such as the mental institution, this leaves the patients within the novel especially vulnerable to conformity. Harding’s acceptance of the unjust power dynamics within the ward is a splendid example of the lethargy present. "This world... belongs to the strong, my friend! …. We must learn to accept it as a law of the natural world.” (Kesey 54-55) He doesn’t seem particularly content in which the manner of his environment is taking place, but makes no effort to change his situation because he has been beaten down by the microcosm’s unspoken laws. This type of sleepy, non-abrasive obedience can be seen in nearly all the other patients and is equally present in Billy Bibbit. His situation is a tad different, considering the direct manipulation from the Big Nurse, but his initiative to
McMurphy manages to empower the men throughout his stay at the ward through various daring acts. He initially defies authority by refusing to do simple tasks, like the cleaning required from each patient. This is a test on Nurse’s resolve, and she eventually loses control of her temper and thus looses credibility. This pattern continues, McMurphy always seeming to be a step ahead of the Nurse. His competitive mindset can be summarized; “I was not born to be forced. I will breathe after my own fashion. Let us see who is the strongest.” (Thoreau) The power balance continues to fluctuate, until McMurphy seals his fate by smashing his fist through the class window. He is acting altruistically now instead of for selfish reasons, and the Nurse must scramble to find a way to stop his rampage. After her taunts lead to Billy’s death, McMurphy assaults her and although not planned, she sends him down to Disturbed. He suffers as a martyr to help the other men see the truth and fight with his cause. Although initially impressive, McMurphy’s victory seems to be a sour one – he is lobotomized, and so severely incapacitated that Chief kills him out of mercy. This isn’t a true victory – in fact, it brings to question who won the battle. Nurse Ratched is still alive, and still exercising her power. She was not fired, but she did lose everything she