Rage Against the Machine

A detailed Summary of Rage Against the Machine

The world we live in is a beautiful and complex ocean of experiences and adventures. So complex is the world that often one is not able to perceive the subtle powers that orchestrate our lives into mechanic roles of existence. Society has developed a machine to shape every individual character on the face of the planet into a controlled drone capable of living an independent yet monitored life amongst other mindless drones programmed to fulfill their everyday duties. This machine is not tangible, it is not something one can see, but it is something that very few people can feel and understand how it works. This machine is called conformity. It is the intricate and complicated method of producing mass numbers of robots willing to do the bidding of those in power. This machine has been documented; authors have revealed the grasp of the machine on society. Works such as the book One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest and The Dead Poet's Society show the effects of conformity. These works introduce cases when people are aware of the machine, but want to break away from it. In One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey, a crazy hallucinating Native American in an insane ward named Chief Bromden has the power to se

Despite all the power in the world, there is always the presence of opposition to the demands of conformity. Individualism is the basis of human emotion and it creates speciality. Without this necessity, when society strips people from their identities and labels them numbers and barcodes, one can go insane. In the story, Chief Bromden, knowing that he was never respected, turned into a meek creature afraid to stand against his oppressors. He imagines himself to be a small, skinny figure with no more strength than a little girl. But when the mighty McMurphy comes into the scene to inspire courage and confidence in the crazy inmates, Bromden receives the power to fight against the combine and leap out of conformity. When Bromden shakes McMurphy's hand, Bromden saw his hand grow in size, "I remember the fingers were thick and strong closing over mine, and my hand commenced to feel peculiar and went to swelling up out there on my stick of an arm, like he was transmitting his own blood into it. It rang with blood and power" (27). Bromden can see the powerful influence of bravery that McMurphy gives to him, in a simple handshake. Bromden sees his hand swelling, his imaginary physical size growing as his emotional spirit is increasing. McMurphy inspires a lot of hope with many other inmates as well and they fight against Big Nurse's strong control. An epileptic patient named Sefelt rebels against Big Nurse through the effect of McMurphy. His friend explains, "This means he may be subject to seizures like this at any time if he doesn't follow medical advice. He knows better. We told him this would happen when he doesn't take his medication. Still he will insist on acting foolish" (152). Sefelt continues to not take his medicine in revolt against the ward through his suspicion of its age enhancing effects. McMurphy, himself, breaks glass windows, undermines the Nurse, and causes general chaos in the ward because of his observation that Big Nurse is trying to control. McMurphy is the symbol of rebellious leadership. Gaining twelve followers against the conforming, and rejects surrendering to any electroshock torture done to him. In response to his shock treatment, he says, "Anointest my head with conductant. Do I get a crown of thorns?" (237) McMurphy's statement is clearly relating to Jesus Christ, a revolutionary figure, standing up against other religions to state his beliefs. McMurphy succeeded in gaining support against the insane ward and begins the havoc of the combine. In The Dead Poet's Society, revolution is begun amongst the students with the assistance of Mr. Keating. He encourages them to, "Carpe Diem," seize the day and boldly achieve your goals without hesitation or inhibitions. This theory is frightfully dangerous to the headmasters of the high school, which is so exciting to the students. Keating teaches the men about the inspirational works of Thoreau and Frost. Robert Frost writing, "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I- I took the one less traveled by," recommending readers to live not as others do, but according to your own path. And in the movie, students do take the initiative, Charlie, the wild member, changes his name to Nuanda and humiliates the principle by pretending to be on the phone with God and disobeying the principles orders to act civil. Knox, also following the footsteps of Nuand

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Approximate Word count = 2245
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels