Leo Walsh answers “I have long thought of this book as one of...”

Adam asked this question about One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest:

I have long thought of this book as one of my favorites, but noticed some heavy racist and misogynistic undertones when I re-read it. Much of this was left out of the film. Does old fashioned sexism sully an otherwise great work of literature?

Leo Walsh Funny thing is, I just re-read it and found some of the racist and sexist slang off-putting.

But then I realized it wasn't all black people that the n…moreFunny thing is, I just re-read it and found some of the racist and sexist slang off-putting.

But then I realized it wasn't all black people that the narrator paints pooly. t was those three "black boys." I found Turkle to be a very sympathetic character. Because he was human -- even put his job in jeopardy loosening the Chief's bed sheet BEFORE McMurphy showed up. Because he was a compassionate human and treated teh Chief like he mattered. And the night attendant seemed like a great guy when McMurphy caught him removing gum from under the Chief's bed.

And it wasn't all women. Instead, it was the control freak Nurse Ratched. On the other hand, the "small Jap" nurse was definitely empathetic. She even winced when dressing Murph and the Chief's wounds. Even Candy, though simple, seemed at once tough and yet tender. A female McMurphy -- white trash, but open to the gaggle of crazies.

There is also the fact that the Chief is the narrator. The terms do seem natural in his voice. I think McMurphy uses the "n" word a single time -- and that was to get a rise from the attendant that was frankly acting sadistically.

Like "Huckleberry Finn," I wouldn't let a character's language get in the way of reading this. (less)

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Adam 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 ...more
May 11, 2015 08:09AM · flag

Leo Walsh @Adam -- That scene is disturbing. And very unclear since we cannot see McMurphy's motivation. It may have been intentional, or an accidental result o ...more
May 11, 2015 09:00AM · flag

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One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

by Ken Kesey

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