Leo’s answer to “I have long thought of this book as one of my favorites, but noticed some heavy racist and misogyni…” > Likes and Comments
15 likes · Like
Good points Leo. I was sort of mulling over the difference between the film and novel, especially the end. I mean to choke the nurse as McMurphy does in the film is one thing - perhaps a justifiable assault depending on your views. However to rip open her shirt first (as in the novel) treads into the realm of sexual assault. It just makes the anti-hero a lot less appealing. Keep in mind the last time I read this was probably 20 years ago during college when things seemed so much more black and white.
@Adam -- That scene is disturbing. And very unclear since we cannot see McMurphy's motivation. It may have been intentional, or an accidental result of McMurphy clawing to get at the nurse.
I think Kesey meant it to be ambiguous. The only function of the scene was to expose Ratched as human: fragile, and scared as the men she warded over. And not the robot spinning dials the Chief viewed her as.
The again, neither is McMurphy a saint. And it may have been intentional.
Either way, the liberating fallout of the struggle is the main thrust of the book. Like all great works of art, it opens more questions as it answers.
Excellent discussion though...
back to top
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Adam
(new)
May 11, 2015 08:09AM
Good points Leo. I was sort of mulling over the difference between the film and novel, especially the end. I mean to choke the nurse as McMurphy does in the film is one thing - perhaps a justifiable assault depending on your views. However to rip open her shirt first (as in the novel) treads into the realm of sexual assault. It just makes the anti-hero a lot less appealing. Keep in mind the last time I read this was probably 20 years ago during college when things seemed so much more black and white.
reply
|
flag
@Adam -- That scene is disturbing. And very unclear since we cannot see McMurphy's motivation. It may have been intentional, or an accidental result of McMurphy clawing to get at the nurse. I think Kesey meant it to be ambiguous. The only function of the scene was to expose Ratched as human: fragile, and scared as the men she warded over. And not the robot spinning dials the Chief viewed her as.
The again, neither is McMurphy a saint. And it may have been intentional.
Either way, the liberating fallout of the struggle is the main thrust of the book. Like all great works of art, it opens more questions as it answers.
Excellent discussion though...
