Read the first two section of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (up to "...with that damn thermometer of yours?") Then, in the comments section, write a paragraph that details your initial thoughts, feelings and reactions. Your paragraph should be a minimum of 10 sentences with at least two quotes (properly cited) "This is my quote" (Kesey p14). Take your time, think about what you want to say and craft a well written paragraph. Enjoy the reading and the weekend!
The first two sections of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest set the scene for the novel and introduce the main characters. Kesey pulls in his reader by intricately describing the atmosphere, using a gloomy, dismal point of view and dialect such as, “Yeah, Miz Ratched.” (Kesey p5) The way in which Kesey introduces the main character, Chief Bromden, is interesting, as he uses the aides perspective to give the reader the first impression of the narrator. The aides mock him saying, “Here’s the Chief. The soo-pah Chief, fellas.” (Kesey p3) This ridicule plants the idea in the readers mind that the narrator has little social significance and his reaction to the jokes prove he is witty. Bromden establishes to the reader that he is extremely clever by describing how he acts deaf and dumb, allowing him access to information about the institution’s gossip and news. Kesey reveals to the reader about the narrator’s mental illness. The reader can see Bromden’s thought process while he is having what seems to be a mental breakdown. Bromden, while struggling against the aides attempts to shave him, states, “They start the fog machine again and it’s snowing down cold and white all over me…” (Kesey p7) Another fascinating aspect of Kesey’s writing style in this book can be found when the narrator has flashbacks. The flashbacks contain mystery and background information that cause inquiry within the reader’s mind. All of these different aspects of the narrator spoke to me while reading the first sections of the novel, because I believe they lay out the foundation for the rest of the novel to take place.
ReplyDeleteOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest begins without an introduction to what’s going on. The protagonist is introduced as “Chief Broom” and is delusional because of the impact of medication. “They got enough of these things they call pills down me so I don’t know a thing till I hear the ward door open.” (Kesey, p8) He uses what he is thinking at the moment as what everyone else is thinking, for example, when he is thinking about the “big nurse’s” flaw in her body, he thinks that she is upset by it, but in reality she is not thinking about it. This section of the book made the reader feel confused because the main character is going off about actions that do not actually happen. He is unable to think because the medication restricts him from thinking clearly. “...the Big Nurse put a thousand pounds down me and I can’t budge out of the chair.”(Kesey, p9) In this quote, the character is referencing the pills he has been given, which have both a mental and physical effect on him. Kesey uses the motif of machinery to compare the people and their actions with. The reader has difficulty seeing what actually is happening through this story because it is mixed with the narrator’s hallucinations. Even though these visions confuse the reader, it is almost funny to see what he is is talking about.
ReplyDeleteOne can tell that this story is going to be exciting, sad and interesting from the very beginning. It is told from the point of view of a patient in a mental hospital. It’s really interesting to listen from his point of view because stories are hardly ever told from the patient’s point of view in the real world. It was slightly confusing to understand what was happening because the narrator has many hallucinations, making it hard to decipher what is real and what is a hallucination. The hospital is a sad, lonely and depressing place. For some reason, while I was reading I imagined the entire story in black and white due to the gloomy mood of the story so far. The atmosphere of the hospital is conveyed when the narrator says that the laughter of the new admission is the first he has heard in a very long time. “This sounds real. I realize all of a sudden it’s the first laugh I’ve heard in years.” (Kesey page 12). It seems as though life in the mental ward is boring. “Admission. Everybody stops playing cards and Monopoly, turns toward the day-room door.” (Kesey page 10). The patients are looking for action, so when they discover that a new patient is coming, they all become very curious. As a reader, one gets the feeling that new patients are the most exciting thing that happens in the hospital. When the new admission, McMurphy enters the ward, he is boisterous, bold and happy; in contrast to the other patients who seem bored with their lives. While the patients simply seem to be “going through the motions”, McMurphy is still "living" despite his situation. Something is different about McMurphy. I think that he will change the atmosphere of the novel. I am really looking forward to reading this novel and to see what happens next.
ReplyDeleteMy first impression of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Next, by Ken Kesey, is that it is a very unconventional book. The protagonist, whose name appears to be Bromden, is a patient at a mental institution of some sort. He is clearly not sane, and it is often difficult for the reader to tell the difference between reality and hallucination. For example, when describing the Big Nurse’s fury at the three black boys, Bromden transfers from a realistic description of her anger, “She knows what they been saying, and I can see she’s furious clean out of control,” (Kesey p4-5) to an obviously hallucinatory description of the nurse transforming into some gigantic, mechanical monster with the intention of killing the black boys; “she blows up bigger and bigger, big as a tractor, so big I can smell the machinery inside.” Bromden’s total unreliable narration of the story forces the reader to work at differentiating between fact and fiction. Through an assortment of subtle hints, it gradually becomes apparent that the mental institution he is staying in does not treat its patients as it should. Bromden is locked away in seclusion; the staff who bring him his breakfast eat it themselves; he describes his mattress as “piss-smelling.” Clearly he and the other mental patients at his institution are not being treated as they should. However, Bromden’s delusional paranoia hugely exaggerates the injustices committed by the institution’s staff. For example, he is convinced that when the staff attempt to shave him, they are really attacking him in some way with a device that resembles an electric shaver. I expect that throughout the book, I will have to make differentiations between fact and fiction of this sort to make any sense of the story.
ReplyDeleteIn One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, we see the main character, Bromden, is living in some sort of insane asylum, but we are not given any background on him or how he arrived there. We get the sense that Bromden is a complete outsider and relates whats going on to what he sees in his head. "He opens out his nostrils like black funnels, his outsized head bobbing this way and that as he sniffs, and he sucks in fear from all over the ward." (Kesey, p6) The man is not actually smelling the fear that radiates off Bromden, but he feels like thats whats happening. The black boys bully Bromden too, which doesn't help his paranoia and supposedly docile nature. There is obviously no fun at the asylum, because we see how surprised everyone is when McMurphy arrives. "Everyone on the ward, patients, staff, and all, is stunned dumb by him and his laughing." (Kesey, p12) I understand an insane asylum shouldn't be fun, but the lack of emotion except fear makes the story somewhat mysterious. The numerous references to Bromden's Indian heritage, left me wondering what it had to do with the story and where it would tie in. The nurse seemed like a significant part of the story and I think Bromden might like her. He introduced her with her with such a vivid description, that I got the feeling he looked up to her and she was a big part of his life, whether she knew it or not. I also want to figure out what of what importance McMurphy will be in the chapters to come, because in his entrance alone, he changed the atmosphere of the book.
ReplyDeleteWithin the first few pages of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Ken Kesey promptly and efficiently sets up the setting, the tone, and the feel of the novel. The reader learns that the novel follows Bromden, a patient in a mental institution. We also discover that Bromden, although he is six feet seven inches, is essentially bullied by the aides, as they call him, "Ol' Chief Broom. Here you go, Chief Broom." (Kesey P1) They force him to do their work, and there is no sign that this abuse is anything but the norm. In fact, Bromden pretends to be both deaf and dumb, although he is actually quite smart. I believe that Kesey writes Bromden as acting as both deaf and dumb as a symbol for Bromden’s reclusive tendencies as well as as a symbol for how society continually uses people. For example, when the “Big Nurse” orders the aides to shave Bromden, he hallucinates that he is being covered in a fog, and in the fog he has become invisible. After he hallucinates, he is forcefully sedated and taken to the day room. Soon after he regains consciousness, he and the other patients find that a new patient has joined them. They aren’t told at first, but they know that this patient is different, as illustrated by Bromden’s narration of, “I know he’s no ordinary Admission. ... he don’t just submit with a weak little yes, he tells them right back in a loud, brassy, voice that he’s already pretty damn clean, thank you.” This patient ends up being McMurphy, a defiant, confident, capable patient who will be interesting to follow throughout the novel. Overall, I am both intrigued and excited by the opening two “chapters” of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, by Ken Kesey.
ReplyDeleteThe One Who Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest begins with a very sulky tone that makes it seem very dead and gloomy. The protagonist, Bromden is very observant and nobody seems to notice him, or they don't want to be affiliated with him. "They don't bother not talking out loud about their hate secrets when I'm nearby because they think I'm deaf and dumb." (Kesey p3) This quote exemplifies how nobody cares about Bromden and he is always alone and never has anyone to talk to. This helps with showing that this book has an immediate gloomy feel to it, which makes it more interesting. "Nobody up to see, just old Broom-Bromden the half-breed indian back there hiding behind his mop and can't talk to call for help." (kesey p5) This quote also shows how Bromden is awkward and shy. He is referred to multiple times for being "cagey" and always hiding behind his mop. He never speaks, and is never approached by anyone. This helps majorly with setting the tone of the story because it adds to the gloomy feel of it. Although it does have the low tone to it, it seems to have many ups and downs that will make the book very intriguing.
ReplyDeleteKen Kesey presents a setting that is oddly surreal in terms of the larger-than-life perceptions of Bromden, the protagonist. The setting, cold and sterile, is the perfect juxtaposition to McMurphy, who is introduced as someone who refuses to conform. His first line even indicates his audacity in this institution which relies so much on the submission of its patients to function: “he tells them right back in a loud, brassy voice that he’s already plenty damn clean, thank you.” (Kesey, page 11). Bromden describes the other reactions of those first admitted to the institution as submitting “with a weak little yes.” This is a clear sign that McMurphy will inevitably change this institutional subculture with his character that refuses to conform within society’s expectations. I also found parallels to Kesey’s use of LSD within these first two chapters alone. Much of the recording of Kesey’s use of LSD was defined by his warped perception of reality, and much of this translates into the perception of Bromden. For example, a reoccurring motif is Bromden’s fear of machines. When describing his fear of being shaved, he says: “I’m not sure it’s one of those substitute machines and not a shaver till it get to my temple; then I can’t hold back.” (Kesey, page 8). The reoccurring fear of machines represents his submission to his fear through his warped sense of reality, and I predict Bromden to be engaged in an ongoing struggle in which he learns to confront this warped perception. Another incident which parallels use of LSD is his observation of Nurse Ratched, who “swells till her back’s splitting out the white uniform and she’s let her arms section out long enough to wrap around the three of them five, six times.” (Kesey, page 5) As warped perceptions of reality are the epitome of LSD, this incident undoubtedly parallels Kesey’s own experiences.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, my initial response to the first two sections was that the story will one one of sorrow. It was hinted throughout the two sections that it is set in a mental institution and the narrator of the novel is a patient at the hospital. I had the initial response of sadness because of the way the narrator of the story was talking. An example of this is when the main character, Chief Bromden said "They're mopping when I come out the dorm, all three of them sulky and hating everything, the time of day, the place they're at here, the people they got to work around." (Kesey 3) When Chief says this in the beginning of the story, it casts a gloomy shadow on the setting and the story itself. Because Kesey uses this type of mood in the very beginning of the story, I knew that the story is supposed to be read in a sorrowful way where everything that happens is supposed to have a depressing affect on the reader. Also, in the first two sections of this novel, Kesey also uses a lot of imagery. Imagery helps to create a mental picture for the reader to better understand what is happening in the book. I think that Kesey did a very good job in providing detail in the descriptions of events. An example of this is when Chief was describing the Big Nurse's entrance into the hospital, "She slides through the door with a gust of cold and locks the door behind her and I see her fingers trail across the polished steel -- tip of each finger the same color as her lips." (Kesey 4) When Kesey uses this imagery, I was able to picture the nurse's action better. If I closed my eyes, I could perfectly imagine the scene exactly how he described it in a vivid way. All in all, My initial response to this novel was a positive one. I like the way the characters were introduced, adding some suspense in the descriptions kept me reading and anticipating.
ReplyDeleteIn the very beginning of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", the narrator sets a dreary tone to the story and atmosphere of the mental hospital. He does a fantastic job describing each of the people he encounters: the Black Boys, the Big Nurse, and the redhead, McMurphy. He goes into very intricate details about not just the appearance, but also the attitude of the characters in the story. The narrator uses a plethora analogies to describe the atmosphere and people, such as, "Her face is smooth, calculated, and precision-made, like an expensive baby doll....everything working together.." (Kesey, pg. 5-6). The narrator uses this intriguing thought to describe the Big Nurse, and he gives immediately portrays her as a villain, a cold, terrifying antagonist in this story. It seems the narrator antagonizes everyone, adding to the dejecting tone of the book. He claims the Black Boys are "sulky and hating everything.." (Kesey, pg. 3). He goes into great detail to describe the awful way these men treat the "Admission", the new patient in the ward. He also antagonizes the 'shaving machine', which you must use if you get a shave before breakfast. It is quite noticeable how observant this character is, and how he has the whole system of the ward figured out. He seems to be very intelligent, leaving us to wonder why he is in a mental hospital in the first place. The first two sections of this book were quite odd, due to the strange description and analogies of the main character; but also interesting, as the narrator tells us a little about everyone, but has us on the edge of our seats, curious to learn more.
ReplyDeleteThe beginning of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest you are introduced to the setting and characters of the book. The book is set in a mental hospital with the characters who Ive read about so far are Chief Bromden, Big Nurse, three black boys, and R.P McMurphy. In part 1 of the book, it talks about how the Big Nurse is getting upset because the three black boys are all huddled up. "She has to change back before she's caught in the shape of her hideous real self"(Kesey pg.11). This shows that the Big Nurse can not react the way she wants to on the boys and she has to fake that she is happy with them so she doesn't cause a scene. In part 2 it talks about how there is a new admission into the hospital and this mans name is RP McMurphy. He is a very unusual and unique mental hospital patient because, "He stands looking at us, rocking back in his boots, and he laughs and laughs" (Kesey pg.16). This shows how RP is unusual because he is laughing and, not fake laughing in this mental hospital and he won't stop. Also, he told Chief Bromden that he was happy to be here and not back where he use to be, working on the farm and, that he a psychopath. I am drawn into reading this book right away and I can not wait to red more about the characters and how they interact with each other.
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ReplyDeleteThe first two chapters of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest allow readers to get a firm grasp on the atmosphere of the hospital and the characters that reside within it. Kesey describes the aura of the place as bleak, sullen, and recurrent. “Hum of black machinery, humming hate and death and other hospital secrets.” (Kesey pg. 3) This quote reflects the repetitiveness within the lives of the patients, such as the daily mopping and the typical falsities of the Admissions, and the common pain that they all share. There appears to be an absence of reality and of any sort of joyous sentiment. Although Kesey does not tell us of Bromden’s (the protagonist) use of LSD, previous knowledge of the story infers that this drug is the origin of the deranged images that he projects. He lives in this unbalanced state, surrounded in a realm devoid of any pleasures, until the arrival of McMurphy. “This sounds real. I realize all of the sudden it’s the first laugh I’ve heard in years.” (Kesey pg. 12) McMurphy enters the gloom of the hospital in an infrequent light. He is bold in looks and personality, causing a shift in Bromden’s perspective. “He tells them right back in a loud, brassy voice that he’s already plenty damn clean... He sounds big... He sounds big in the way he walks.” (Kesey pg. 11) From the initial impression of McMurphy, I predict that he will have a significant role in many aspects of the novel, including the mood, plot, and development of surrounding characters.
ReplyDeleteIn Ken Kesey’s The One Who Flew Over the Cockoo’s Nest, he begins by creating an unusual setting along with an eerie mood that complement each other well and add to the overall tone of the novel. The novel is being told from an Indian man’s point of view, Bromden, who is a patient in a mental hospital. Kesey depicts Bromden as an intelligent man because he is able to deceive and manipulate the other characters to believe he his deaf and stupid. He is anything but deaf because he often describes sounds through multiple onomatopoeias that build a more detailed setting. “I hear noise at the ward door, off up the hall out of my sight. That ward door starts opening at eight and opens and closes a thousand times a day, kashash, click.” (Kesey p9) Bromden is very observant of the surrounding sights, noises, and smells. Although, his senses are affected by a medication he is forced to consume that causes hallucinations. “This morning I plain don’t remember. They got enough of those things they call pills down me so I don’t know a thing…” (Kesey p9) Since Bromden is an unreliable narrator, it causes some confusion for the reader, but in the grand scheme of things, it adds to the overall mood of the story. The staff and nurses oppress the patients in the hospital. Instead of the aides giving the patients food, they eat it themselves; while Bromden is kept in a locked room know as Seclusion. “I lie there on that pee-stinking mattress…” (Kesey p9) This quote gives the reader insight into the unsanitary environment and the daily suffering many of the patients have to endure.
In The One Who Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey, the setting and characters are dark and ominous. Proof of the gloomy setting is when the narrator says the new patient, who comes in laughing, is the first laugh Chief Bromden has heard in years. “This sounds real. I realize all of a sudden it’s the first laugh I’ve heard in years.” (Kesey page 12). It takes place in a mental institution, and the characters are unhappy. For example, the Black Boys are described as "sulky and hating everything" (Kesey, page 3). The book is a bit disorienting because the main character and narrator, Bromden, can't think clearly due to his medication. Chief also hallucinated a lot, making it difficult to figure out what was actually happening in the scene. Bromden is a sneaky character because he was able to convince people that he was deaf and dumb so he could listen in on the conversations that they had. I enjoyed the two chapters of this book, and can tell it’s going to be exciting and suspenseful from the characters and the plot. I think One Flew Over the Cukoos’ Nest will be an intriguing and dark story.
ReplyDeleteThe first two chapters in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest gives readers a look into the mind of Chief Bromden and the environment of the mental institution. Kesey presents the hospital through Bromden’s paranoia, which is obvious in the attitude he has towards all the things he thinks Nurse Ratched is doing to him when he is unconscious. Bromden tells the reader that, “It’s still hard for me to have a clear mind thinking on it. But it’s the truth even if it didn’t happen.” (Kesey, p.8) His hallucinations show the two sides of the hospital. Bromden says that even though the hallucinations like Nurse Ratched turning into a machine are not real, they portray the truth of what goes on in the hospital. This leaves me to anticipate what kind of secrets Bromden will reveal to us in the future.
ReplyDeleteNext Bromden meets R. P. McMurphy, who breaks the monotony of the institution with his laughter and cheery spirit. “This [laugh] sounds real. I realize all of a sudden it’s the first laugh I’ve heard in years.” (Kesey, p.12) I can already see that McMurphy is going to be a driving force in this story. His charisma and love of gambling are bound to cause problems with the seemingly totalitarian order that Nurse Ratched has imposed on the rest of the “admissions”. I look forward to seeing what affect McMurphy has on the hospital.