Matriarcy and Control in One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest
Mother Knows Best: Examining Control, Oppression and Matriarchy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Ken Kesey published One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in 1962, during an era of change and certain disillusionment in the United States. It is a classic work of the countercultural movement and was inspired and influenced by some of Kesey’s own experiences. Kesey studied at Stanford University on a scholarship for creative writing. While in school, he volunteered for a government research program at a local Veteran’s Administration Hospital where he was given LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, and AMT. During this time, Kesey also worked as a psychiatric attendant at the hospital, which provided inspiration for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, his first published novel. Though it is a work of fiction, it has been noted that the novel is based largely upon Kesey’s experiences interacting with and interviewing the patients at the hospital where he worked. Thematically the novel covers a broad spectrum, though perhaps most pervasive theme in the story is the oppressive nature of authority and the way in which total control deprives people of their individuality. In this way One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest has been regarded as a protest against the totalitarian regimes that were feared by Americans of the age. Also prevalent within the novel is a strong dichotomy between themes of matriarchy and of sexuality. Not only is there oppression in the novel, it is implemented by women, whom the men then sexualize in an attempt to reject the authority of the women. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that these themes are expertly intertwined throughout the progression of the events and their telling in the story.
The story takes place in a psychiatric hospital in Oregon, which is overseen by the harsh head nurse, Nurse Ratched. The novel is narrated by “Chief” Bromden, a long time resident of the facility. The story unfolds from his perspective, leading the reader deep
Ken Kesey published One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in 1962, during an era of change and certain disillusionment in the United States. It is a classic work of the countercultural movement and was inspired and influenced by some of Kesey’s own experiences. Kesey studied at Stanford University on a scholarship for creative writing. While in school, he volunteered for a government research program at a local Veteran’s Administration Hospital where he was given LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, and AMT. During this time, Kesey also worked as a psychiatric attendant at the hospital, which provided inspiration for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, his first published novel. Though it is a work of fiction, it has been noted that the novel is based largely upon Kesey’s experiences interacting with and interviewing the patients at the hospital where he worked. Thematically the novel covers a broad spectrum, though perhaps most pervasive theme in the story is the oppressive nature of authority and the way in which total control deprives people of their individuality. In this way One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest has been regarded as a protest against the totalitarian regimes that were feared by Americans of the age. Also prevalent within the novel is a strong dichotomy between themes of matriarchy and of sexuality. Not only is there oppression in the novel, it is implemented by women, whom the men then sexualize in an attempt to reject the authority of the women. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that these themes are expertly intertwined throughout the progression of the events and their telling in the story.
The story takes place in a psychiatric hospital in Oregon, which is overseen by the harsh head nurse, Nurse Ratched. The novel is narrated by “Chief” Bromden, a long time resident of the facility. The story unfolds from his perspective, leading the reader deep