“One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest” – the Ethics of Patient Treatment

“…She’s somethin’ of a cunt, ain’t she Doc?” Although Milos Foreman’s character, Randle McMurphy (Jack Nicholson), put his opinion of Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher) in the most vulgar of terms, he was not so far from the truth. In the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), Nurse Ratched’s treatment and care of the patients was unethical when compared to the standards one would expect of a health care administrator. She used control over her patients to ensure order, without regard to the feelings and concerns of the patients. This issue is presented by the director, Milos Foreman, through symbolism, characterization and scenes. This, in turn, determines how the director wants us, as viewers, to feel about the issue. The ethical issue of patient treatment is portrayed in a serious but sometimes subtle manner throughout the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. One thing that the director uses in order to personify Nurse Ratched is symbolism. The first example of this is shown in her name. The name “Ratched” is not meant to be random, but thoughtfully chosen. It seems to be very close in sound to the word “wretched”. A person described as such would not bring about positive feelings, but rather is used to depict her as a miserable, mean and contemptible person. Another symbolic feature is in how Nurse Ratched’s hair is styled. The way in which it forms two points on either side of her head is reminiscent of horns, and more specifically, devil horns. It is quite obvious that this would evoke an adverse view of her since the devil is associated with evil. Her cap that she wears so proudly to identify herself as a nurse is also a symbol. It represents authority and sets herself apart from the patients. Although these examples may seem insignificant, it is the detail used which paints a whole picture of how the audience is supposed to feel about her.
Early in the film, Nurse Ratched is determined to win the battle of wills over Mac

References: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Dir. Milos Foreman. Perf. Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher. United Artist Films, 1975.