Although we are not that far into the story yet, gender clearly plays a role in this book. The female head nurse is the leader of all of them, whether they like it or not. She holds all power over the patients and uses her three henchmen to keep them in line. Even though those three men might have some power, they only have it because the head nurse gave it to them. They do whatever she tells them to do without thinking twice about it. The male patients also do what they are told when they are ordered to do it. Even the male doctor who you would think would have some power, is utterly powerless against this ruthless woman.
Men and women are vividly portrayed differently. The woman is seen as the power figure, while the men are shown as weak and easily controlled. The men that are weak and easily controlled are the patients who the head nurse directs. When they don't listen to her she sends her three henchmen to take care of them for her so that they will listen. Those three henchmen may not be portrayed as weak, but they are portrayed as being easily controlled. This can also be applied to the doctor. This shows that the head nurse, who happens to be a woman, is controlling all the men around her and making them weaker and more easily controlled as their time in the mental institution continues.
Maya Huggins
ReplyDeleteI wonder if this is not necessarily an issue of gender but rather just a power struggle taken to the extremes. This whole ward is obviously affected by the issue of the nurse being close friends with the head of the hospital. She, therefore, holds power over even the most influential presences, such as the doctor. This leaves patients in a mind-abusive trap. They can't escape her power and have no control over their treatment in the ward. The "black boys" are mindless slaves to the nurse who seem to have no feeling in regard to the patients' well-being. I don't think the situation would be any different if the nurse was a man. It's ultimately just an issue of having no competition and being able to take unfair advantage of it.
I do understand what you're saying about how you're seeing it as a gender role type of deal. However thinking about the time period could you agree the 3 men are being pushed around due to color of their skin and not just the fact that they are men? Also the nurse has a higher power which is indeed a man... Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteMaya... I think we were typing at the same time lol
ReplyDeleteMegan Stanford
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is very interesting that the head nurse is a female with the most power while the three men get told what to do. However, I also think that it has to do with the color of their skin. I think she realizes how unique this situation is and that is why she uses her resources to her advantage to keep her position.
I do understand what you are saying comment : Rachael Stevick
ReplyDeleteZach Torbett
ReplyDeleteI love that the women hold the power in this book. It provides a different outlook on situations for me. That being said, I can't wait to see how the book turns out. The moment McMurphy was introduced to the ward I knew I was going to like this book. I could visualize the scene in my head (I may have over exaggerated it a tab bit). I saw McMurphy charismatically swagger into the ward with a big gleam of light shining behind him, with his signature stature and walk. He was different from the other patients (especially since he isn't actually supposed to be there). He doesn't obey the rules or the stereotypes of the patients. He does his own thing and that's why he's the alleged protagonist. I could see in my head the other patients looking upon him as if he was their savior. I could almost compare him to a Jesus like figure. If anyone was gonna save them from their lucid trans and this hospital, it was gonna be McMurphy. Nevertheless, it is safe to say that I look forward to reading farther into the themes of man vs woman and female rule.
I completely agree with this statement because women are most definitely treated differently than the men, especially during this time period. abby Hudrlik
ReplyDelete