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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?
Andrey Davydov The book makes a more complicated point through its sexism and racism. The state regularly elevates the downtrodden - from hate speech laws to foreign…moreThe book makes a more complicated point through its sexism and racism. The state regularly elevates the downtrodden - from hate speech laws to foreign oprichniks used by Ivan the Terrible. Bestowing power upon the disadvantaged is the best way to demonstrate your dominance, like granting a title to your horse. Besides, you will be their only source of power, and so they will guard you jealously.

Both sides have redeeming qualities: freedom is good by definition, but Nurse Ratched and her black personnel would be completely powerless in a 'free' world. The grim choice here is between (1) frontier democracy, which would have a large class of almost equal 'white males', based on strength and similarity, and (2) a civilized totalitarian state, which would have a smaller but much more mixed elite based on party loyalty, constantly stomping on 'white males'. To uphold power or liberty, you have to practice them in a highly visible way, usually treading on the status of others who dislike your actions and words. When McMurphy assaults Ratched, he deploys his natural advantage that would earn him liberty in a 'free' world, but Ratched then counters with the state monopoly on violence extended to her through her loyalty. So if you are naturally weak, you actually benefit from the Combine, until it decides to revoke your privileges.

Without this tension, the book would be an unambiguous moralistic tale that oppression is bad, but you can fight it if you try hard, duh.(less)
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One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
by Ken Kesey
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