Changes In Harding in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
During the course of the last fifty years, society has changed significantly. In modern society a great emphasis is placed on individualism and diversity within a society. It is rare that an individual would be ridiculed or forced to change simply for not complying with what society views as "normal". This has not always been the case though. The nineteen fifties were much different. This was an era of social conformity. The members of society who were intent on maintaining this social state ostracized individuals who were considered "abnormal". Such "abnormal" individuals just simply accepted the fact that they were not part of this normal society. Because of society's influence, these people sought help in psychiatric wards in attempts to better themselves and thus fit into society. By doing so, they let society conform and mold them into what was thought as "normal". Ken Kesey was a man in this era that did not believe in social conformity. Kesey, along with his followers set off on a mission to open the minds of people who were focused on maintaining this status quo. Ken Kesey's journey led him to write One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. This novel focuses on the struggle between individuals who are intent on keeping
When Harding returns from the fishing trip things begin to change even more. Candy and Sandra sneak into the ward and they all have a party. Harding knows the consequences of the party will be great and he begins to make plans as to what must be done. He makes plans for McMurphys escape and thinks of every aspect of what must be said and done. Harding would never have thought of this type of action before McMurphy came along. Harding's intricate plans and clever defense of McMurphy show that he is no longer a follower. His confidence and new outlook on life have changed his ways drastically. Once a timid nervous man, who simply accepted his so-called abnormality, Harding is now able to depend on himself and accept who he is. Once thought of by Harding as "the strong wolf", he now sees the Nurse as nothing more than ".... full of so much bullshit"(pg.307). Harding fought against the Nurse and left the hospital with his wife after McMurphy opened his eyes as to what life was about. For the first time in his life Harding rejected the status quo. One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest is a powerful novel that has a deep meaning. It does not simply tell the story of a psychiatric ward. The novel goes further to explore the importance of self-esteem and self-reliance. It focuses on the power of individualism in an era when such a thing was shunned. The changes in Harding's attitude reflect Kesey's personal rebellion against social conformity. Harding admits himself in the psychiatric hospital because he is "abnormal" in a society that highly values normality. "[He] discovered at an early age that [he] was...different?...[He] indulged in certain practices that...society regards as shameful"(pg. 294). Admitting himself in the hospital is Harding's way of succumbing to the forces of society. He simply accepts the fact that without help he will never fit in the "real world"
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Approximate Word count = 1275
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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