Cuckoo's Nest Themes

Ken Kesey’s ideas and intentions were lost in translation as his novel was transformed to a motion picture in 1975. Although both the novel and film are bona fide works of genius and highly respected, their creators are polar opposites and it is reflected in the differentiation between the two. Kesey’s writing is poetic and savvy, having the ability to influence the reader’s emotions and compel them to consciously scrutinize his message. Contrarily, the film is more literal and manages to find levity behind what Kesey meant to be serious. The very fact that Kesey’s novel was modified to conform to popular demand contradicted and crippled its true meaning. However, even though the novel compared to the film has some drastic changes, it
Kesey’s use of Chief Bromden’s narration was the backbone and driving force of the entire novel. Kesey created extensive depth and development with Chief, in turn allowing the reader to comprehend the social conflict theme beneath his character. Cheif is a schizophrenic Indian, whose craziness represents this critical theme, as it has been induced by society and the institution he is placed in. Chief’s course throughout the novel is to redeem his conscious perspective of reality. His hallucinations represent society’s methods to mold individuals into what is thought to be acceptable. Against the foundation of Kesey’s novel, the film uses McMurphy’s perspective, altering much of the meaning behind Kesey’s novel. The film omits any sort of development with Chief, consequently doing away with Kesey’s message of social
On the other hand, “Hollywood” always has those things in mind, and this is most likely why Chief was replaced by McMurphy. The “Hollywood” assessment of Kesey’s novel must’ve been less Oscars had the movie been narrated by a “deaf and dumb” Indian. Nonetheless, the film is magnificent (when not critiquing its relation to the novel) and it does manage to capture at least one of Kesey’s themes. Choosing McMurphy as the main focus in the movie placed an even greater emphasis on Kesey’s initial theme of rebellion against authority and conformity. In fact McMurphy is portrayed as even more insubordinate in the film. This is shown in scenes that vary from the novel, such as when McMurphy steals the bus for the fishing trip as opposed to being allowed to use it. Another scene which varies from the novel is where McMurphy chokes the nurse until she nearly suffocates, whereas in the novel he exposes her breasts. I believe this scene is superior to Kesey’s, and is pivotal in displaying the theme of rebellion against authority. It shows great masculinity and the vast power needed to overcome authority. In the end both the film and novel have the same outcome of Chief escaping of the institution. Both represent a redemption of freedom, but the concept of freedom varies with the differing aspects of the two