One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest- Not In Our Schools

3 Pages 752 Words

One flew over the cuckoo’s nest is a well written and provocative novel, that has no place in our schools. The novel should not be permitted in our schools because the language is offensive, there is an abundance of violence and disturbing behavior, and it shows no positive side aspect of not only life in a ward but also of society.

The language in one flew over the cuckoo’s nest is atrocious and vulgar. The language that the author uses to convey the feelings of the patients and members of the ward is degrading and unnecessary. There are numerous opportunities for the author to portray his mind-set and the mind-set of the characters with the use less offensive words. The use of these words suggests the fact that the novel was intended to be read but an older more mature audience. There are numerous examples of inappropriate language being used by almost every character in the novel. An interesting fact to point out is that the man that we cheer for, McMurphy, the protagonist of the book is the one who uses this language most often. He is the one person that we learn to love because he stands up to the authority figure, Miss Ratchet. All the people in the ward want to be like him and we are made to feel this way as well. McMurphy’s behavior promotes rebellion against authority which if acted upon can put our society in a state of utter chaos, as seen in the ward.

Violence and disturbing behavior are also in abundance in this novel. There are a number of accounts of disturbing behavior, this consists of the nurse trying to intimidate and embarrass the patients to keep them under control. It shows that a single person can control many through manipulation and carefully thought out actions. It is amazing that she can keep these patients in the ward even though the want to leave and can leave freely at any time. She has such a strangle hold on them, making them rely on the ward to survive. It’s through her manipulation and tr...