The Influences In Ken Kesey's Life
Ken Kesey was an interesting man who grew up and lived throughout the World War II; which, lasted from 1939 – 1941. He also lived, for the majority of his life, through the Cold War; which, lasted from 1946 - 1991. He witnessed the acts against freedom and segregation going on in the United States, and also the repercussions of Hitler’s rein. Kesey took part in some government studies that altered his mind, maybe for good, or just for the moments while under the influence. All of these events, plus many more, could have had an effect on the writer Kesey became.
Ken Kesey was born the 17th of September in 1935 in Colorado. He was the eldest of two boys, and spent his early childhood in La Junta until he and his family moved to Springfield, …show more content…
Oregon in 1946. Kesey spent time with his family on the farm and according to GradeSaver LLC, he had “developed a great appreciation for Christian fables and a Christin ethical system.” He went on to marry his high school sweetheart Faye Haxby. They had three children: Jed, Zane, and Shannon. Kesey must have always wanted to be a writer because he went to the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and graduated with a Bachelors’ degree in Speech and Communications in 1957, then continued his studies at Stanford University in their creative writing program. While attending Stanford University he studied under Wallace Stegner who was considered a recognized historian, novelist, and short story writer.
While Kesey was attending Stanford University when he took part in the Army experiments of control.
Kesey was voted “most likely to succeed” in high school, says GradeSaver LLC. This makes it hard to believe that Kesey would turn around and willingly take part in the things that he did; although one could say that he was extremely successful within the path that he chose. The Oregon Historical Society describes Kesey to be “considered a founding father of the 1960’s counterculture”. This is an example of Kesey succeeding in a mission of his. He took part in hallucinogenic Army experiments involving; lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and mescalin. These drug experiments made Kesey become a promoter for drug use as a way to express individual freedoms. Kesey would write of his experience while under the influence of the government tests, and after he wrote the novel One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Kesey began to experiment with these drugs on his own. Kesey not only is known as a founding father of the counterculture, but also the Merry …show more content…
Pranksters.
The Merry Prankster were a group that traveled the country in a school bus, and they were infamous for their “acid tests”, says The Oregon Historical Society. The University of Virginia describes, “the Merry Pranksters who openly used psychoactive drugs, wore outrageous attire, performed bizarre acts of street theater, and engaged in peaceful confrontation with not only the laws of conformity, but with the mores of conventionality.” One could speculate, not being around in the times, that this was an attempt from Kesey and his acquaintances to open the minds of the liberals of the times. As if the novel, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, was not enough of a push. During the time of the World War II, Kesey was still a young boy, but this could have had effects on his outlook on life. The whole power struggle that Hitler made attempts at by invading Poland and single handedly starting World War II was something this young boy Kesey grew up hearing about. With the dominance and power that Hitler showed this would have been an awful time to think about freedoms; which, demonstrated by Hitler, can be so easily taken away. Hitler was signing strategic treaties with Italy and Japan, in hopes of acquiring his ultimate goal of world domination. During World War II, A&E Television Networks, LLC states, “the conflict would take more lives and destroy more land and property around the globe than any previous war.” One could assume that growing up in these times would make anyone strive for freedoms to be recognized amongst peoples. The war lasted for six years and took the lives of 35 to 65 million people, and there were millions more who were injured. It has been said that the legacy of this World War is what brought communism into Europe, and eventuall lead to a shift in power to two rivials: the United States and the Soviet Union. One could also say that Hitler inadvertently took part in starting the Cold War; which, lasted for approximately 50 years. America had decided that their “best defense against the Soviet threat was a strategy called containment”, says A&E Television Networks, LLC. The films of the 50’s and 60’s depicted nuclear devastation and mutant creatures; which evoked fear within the public. A&E Television Networks also says that President Harry Truman stated in front of congress in 1947, “It must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation…by outside pressures.” This taken literally means that peoples fighting for freedoms, and rejection of slavery will have the support of the United States. A good amount of Americans thought that the 60’s were bringing about a golden age; although, theses were just hopes and dreams. There was a struggle for civil rights that started off the 60’s. People of color had begun demonstrating their so called rights that were being violated, and these actions caught the attention of people all throughout the nation. One could say that with the previous statement from President Truman, the United States seems somewhat hypocritical. This could remind one to the reference of the Combine in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Written by Ken Kesey, published in 1962. The world will do and say whatever it must to continue operations of society smoothly, and when things get out of control one side of the struggle must cave. It took four years for President Johnson to push a Civil Rights Act through Congress; which, prohibited discrimination against women and minorities. People everywhere across the nation went on to protest for freedoms and free love for years after the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The urban riots continued to break out across the nation as well, and some people decided to move to communes to get away from the agitation of everyday life. It is evident that Ken Kesey learned from his life experiences and used the knowledge of how life works to write the novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, published in 1962. Much of the trials and tribulations of the 60’s had not occurred by the time Kesey had finished the novel. The start and end of World War II, and the beginning of the Cold War were all valid examples of power struggle. Nurse Ratched represents the person or persons wanting the power, and the patients represent the persons being subjected to subjugation. Bromden makes a statement about the villain “. . . it’s not just the Big Nurse by herself, but it’s the whole Combine, the nation-wide Combine that’s the really big force and the nurse is just a high-ranking official for them.” (Introduction xxiv) This can be used to describe the World in general, and Hitler is just a high-ranking official in the power struggle. Not just the power struggle for Germany, but for the world. It has been stated that Hitler’s plan was to achieve ultimate domination. Nurse Ratched even had her own mini group of supportive workers to do her bidding, the same as Adolf Hitler’s National Socialist. The after effects of Pearl Harbor being bombed by the Japanese left America in shambles.
The government started rationing necessities such as: food, gas and clothing. This sounds like a familiar situation Kesey creates in the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, published in 1962. The Japanese would be Randle McMurphy, he came into the ward and messed around with the way Nurse Ratched had it functioning. The repercussions of McMurphys’ gambling with the other patients included the rationing of cigarettes. The ward is on a very minuscule scale compared to the entire world, yet it can be looked at as a simplified version of
such. One could compare McMurphy, and even towards the end of the novel including the other patients, to the likes of the counterculture. McMurphy would be like Ken Kesey, meaning the founding father of this group in the ward. McMurphy did not was to be controlled, and he helped to open others minds to the ideas of freedoms. This is like Kesey and his Merry Pranksters, showing people they did not have to be drones, operating under the pressures of society. They could free their minds, and think for themselves and it was not always the wrong or bad thing. Bromden being a part of the daily operations of the Combine can be compared to the way Ken Kesey grew up. Before Kesey did the Army experiments with drugs, he was a normal functioning part of society. In high school he was a wrestler, and as I previously stated it is said that he was voted most likely to succeed. Kesey was falling right into place with the public accepted norm. Bromden was doing the same with Nurse Ratched and her rules. There were a few times that his emotions would get the best of him, but he generally stayed in line and out of trouble. This only lasted until Bromden was challenged with McMurphys thoughts and feelings on the matter. Bromden agreed with McMurphys’ outlook on the Nurse, but he had been functioning this way, under her rules, for so long that it no longer mattered how he thought or felt. By the end of the novel, the patients have realized that they do not need to be as scared to go out and live their lives in the world. McMurphy showed them how to live free from the demoralizing, and dominating Nurse Ratched. He showed them how to express their feelings, even more then Nurse Ratched ever could. The reason she could not get through to these men is because she broke them down too much. She made them feel like they we’re not good enough, and made the men talk about why each other wasn’t good enough. The outside world could be considered just as harsh a place, but she was not showing the patients how to deal with these issues. Nurse Ratched was showing the men all of their faults, yet none of their strengths. When they did not meet her standards she gave them treatment. This could be compared to Hitler and the perfect Aryan race. Anyone who did not fit into his thought of perfection was dealt with, or taken care of according to how he sees fit. There are many reasons stated above as to why Ken Keseys’ life experiences could have influenced the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, written by Ken Kesey, published in 1962. The World War II and the Cold War were two of the major components. The Army drug experiments also played a crucial role in allowing Kesey to free his mind. He had a chance to evaluate the events and experiences taking place all over the globe from a free minded outlook. The experiences Kesey had while under the influence of the drugs, that Kesey wrote about for the doctors to study, also helped in the way the book was written. The drug induced fog; which, Bromden experiences many times in the novel, would be an example of living in a haze momentarily. Kesey could have been writing form an experience he had. In any case, to answer the question, yes. I do believe that Keseys’ life had great influence on the novel.
Works Cited
"Biography of Ken Kesey (1935-2001)." Biography of Ken Kesey. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 July 2013.
"Cold War." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 28 July 2013.
"Ken Kesey Biography." Ken Kesey Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 July 2013.
Kesey, Ken. One Flew over the Cuckoo 's Nest, a Novel. New York: Viking, 1962. Print.
"Psychedelic 60s: Ken Kesey & the Merry Pranksters." Psychedelic 60s: Ken Kesey & the Merry Pranksters. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 July 2013.
"World War II." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 28 July 2013.
Ken Kesey was born the 17th of September in 1935 in Colorado. He was the eldest of two boys, and spent his early childhood in La Junta until he and his family moved to Springfield, …show more content…
Oregon in 1946. Kesey spent time with his family on the farm and according to GradeSaver LLC, he had “developed a great appreciation for Christian fables and a Christin ethical system.” He went on to marry his high school sweetheart Faye Haxby. They had three children: Jed, Zane, and Shannon. Kesey must have always wanted to be a writer because he went to the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and graduated with a Bachelors’ degree in Speech and Communications in 1957, then continued his studies at Stanford University in their creative writing program. While attending Stanford University he studied under Wallace Stegner who was considered a recognized historian, novelist, and short story writer.
While Kesey was attending Stanford University when he took part in the Army experiments of control.
Kesey was voted “most likely to succeed” in high school, says GradeSaver LLC. This makes it hard to believe that Kesey would turn around and willingly take part in the things that he did; although one could say that he was extremely successful within the path that he chose. The Oregon Historical Society describes Kesey to be “considered a founding father of the 1960’s counterculture”. This is an example of Kesey succeeding in a mission of his. He took part in hallucinogenic Army experiments involving; lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and mescalin. These drug experiments made Kesey become a promoter for drug use as a way to express individual freedoms. Kesey would write of his experience while under the influence of the government tests, and after he wrote the novel One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Kesey began to experiment with these drugs on his own. Kesey not only is known as a founding father of the counterculture, but also the Merry …show more content…
Pranksters.
The Merry Prankster were a group that traveled the country in a school bus, and they were infamous for their “acid tests”, says The Oregon Historical Society. The University of Virginia describes, “the Merry Pranksters who openly used psychoactive drugs, wore outrageous attire, performed bizarre acts of street theater, and engaged in peaceful confrontation with not only the laws of conformity, but with the mores of conventionality.” One could speculate, not being around in the times, that this was an attempt from Kesey and his acquaintances to open the minds of the liberals of the times. As if the novel, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, was not enough of a push. During the time of the World War II, Kesey was still a young boy, but this could have had effects on his outlook on life. The whole power struggle that Hitler made attempts at by invading Poland and single handedly starting World War II was something this young boy Kesey grew up hearing about. With the dominance and power that Hitler showed this would have been an awful time to think about freedoms; which, demonstrated by Hitler, can be so easily taken away. Hitler was signing strategic treaties with Italy and Japan, in hopes of acquiring his ultimate goal of world domination. During World War II, A&E Television Networks, LLC states, “the conflict would take more lives and destroy more land and property around the globe than any previous war.” One could assume that growing up in these times would make anyone strive for freedoms to be recognized amongst peoples. The war lasted for six years and took the lives of 35 to 65 million people, and there were millions more who were injured. It has been said that the legacy of this World War is what brought communism into Europe, and eventuall lead to a shift in power to two rivials: the United States and the Soviet Union. One could also say that Hitler inadvertently took part in starting the Cold War; which, lasted for approximately 50 years. America had decided that their “best defense against the Soviet threat was a strategy called containment”, says A&E Television Networks, LLC. The films of the 50’s and 60’s depicted nuclear devastation and mutant creatures; which evoked fear within the public. A&E Television Networks also says that President Harry Truman stated in front of congress in 1947, “It must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation…by outside pressures.” This taken literally means that peoples fighting for freedoms, and rejection of slavery will have the support of the United States. A good amount of Americans thought that the 60’s were bringing about a golden age; although, theses were just hopes and dreams. There was a struggle for civil rights that started off the 60’s. People of color had begun demonstrating their so called rights that were being violated, and these actions caught the attention of people all throughout the nation. One could say that with the previous statement from President Truman, the United States seems somewhat hypocritical. This could remind one to the reference of the Combine in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Written by Ken Kesey, published in 1962. The world will do and say whatever it must to continue operations of society smoothly, and when things get out of control one side of the struggle must cave. It took four years for President Johnson to push a Civil Rights Act through Congress; which, prohibited discrimination against women and minorities. People everywhere across the nation went on to protest for freedoms and free love for years after the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The urban riots continued to break out across the nation as well, and some people decided to move to communes to get away from the agitation of everyday life. It is evident that Ken Kesey learned from his life experiences and used the knowledge of how life works to write the novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, published in 1962. Much of the trials and tribulations of the 60’s had not occurred by the time Kesey had finished the novel. The start and end of World War II, and the beginning of the Cold War were all valid examples of power struggle. Nurse Ratched represents the person or persons wanting the power, and the patients represent the persons being subjected to subjugation. Bromden makes a statement about the villain “. . . it’s not just the Big Nurse by herself, but it’s the whole Combine, the nation-wide Combine that’s the really big force and the nurse is just a high-ranking official for them.” (Introduction xxiv) This can be used to describe the World in general, and Hitler is just a high-ranking official in the power struggle. Not just the power struggle for Germany, but for the world. It has been stated that Hitler’s plan was to achieve ultimate domination. Nurse Ratched even had her own mini group of supportive workers to do her bidding, the same as Adolf Hitler’s National Socialist. The after effects of Pearl Harbor being bombed by the Japanese left America in shambles.
The government started rationing necessities such as: food, gas and clothing. This sounds like a familiar situation Kesey creates in the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, published in 1962. The Japanese would be Randle McMurphy, he came into the ward and messed around with the way Nurse Ratched had it functioning. The repercussions of McMurphys’ gambling with the other patients included the rationing of cigarettes. The ward is on a very minuscule scale compared to the entire world, yet it can be looked at as a simplified version of
such. One could compare McMurphy, and even towards the end of the novel including the other patients, to the likes of the counterculture. McMurphy would be like Ken Kesey, meaning the founding father of this group in the ward. McMurphy did not was to be controlled, and he helped to open others minds to the ideas of freedoms. This is like Kesey and his Merry Pranksters, showing people they did not have to be drones, operating under the pressures of society. They could free their minds, and think for themselves and it was not always the wrong or bad thing. Bromden being a part of the daily operations of the Combine can be compared to the way Ken Kesey grew up. Before Kesey did the Army experiments with drugs, he was a normal functioning part of society. In high school he was a wrestler, and as I previously stated it is said that he was voted most likely to succeed. Kesey was falling right into place with the public accepted norm. Bromden was doing the same with Nurse Ratched and her rules. There were a few times that his emotions would get the best of him, but he generally stayed in line and out of trouble. This only lasted until Bromden was challenged with McMurphys thoughts and feelings on the matter. Bromden agreed with McMurphys’ outlook on the Nurse, but he had been functioning this way, under her rules, for so long that it no longer mattered how he thought or felt. By the end of the novel, the patients have realized that they do not need to be as scared to go out and live their lives in the world. McMurphy showed them how to live free from the demoralizing, and dominating Nurse Ratched. He showed them how to express their feelings, even more then Nurse Ratched ever could. The reason she could not get through to these men is because she broke them down too much. She made them feel like they we’re not good enough, and made the men talk about why each other wasn’t good enough. The outside world could be considered just as harsh a place, but she was not showing the patients how to deal with these issues. Nurse Ratched was showing the men all of their faults, yet none of their strengths. When they did not meet her standards she gave them treatment. This could be compared to Hitler and the perfect Aryan race. Anyone who did not fit into his thought of perfection was dealt with, or taken care of according to how he sees fit. There are many reasons stated above as to why Ken Keseys’ life experiences could have influenced the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, written by Ken Kesey, published in 1962. The World War II and the Cold War were two of the major components. The Army drug experiments also played a crucial role in allowing Kesey to free his mind. He had a chance to evaluate the events and experiences taking place all over the globe from a free minded outlook. The experiences Kesey had while under the influence of the drugs, that Kesey wrote about for the doctors to study, also helped in the way the book was written. The drug induced fog; which, Bromden experiences many times in the novel, would be an example of living in a haze momentarily. Kesey could have been writing form an experience he had. In any case, to answer the question, yes. I do believe that Keseys’ life had great influence on the novel.
Works Cited
"Biography of Ken Kesey (1935-2001)." Biography of Ken Kesey. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 July 2013.
"Cold War." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 28 July 2013.
"Ken Kesey Biography." Ken Kesey Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 July 2013.
Kesey, Ken. One Flew over the Cuckoo 's Nest, a Novel. New York: Viking, 1962. Print.
"Psychedelic 60s: Ken Kesey & the Merry Pranksters." Psychedelic 60s: Ken Kesey & the Merry Pranksters. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 July 2013.
"World War II." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 28 July 2013.