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University Degree: Ken Kesey
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Compare and contrast the way imprisonment is presented in The Bell Jar and One Flew over The Cuckoo's Nest
The tragic heroine version of her life casts Plath as a talented but doomed young woman, unable to deal with the pressures of society because of her debilitating mental illness. Although neither myth presents a wholly accurate picture, truth exists in both. The Bell Jar does not label its protagonist's life as either martyred or heroic. Plath does not attribute Esther's instability to men, society, or Esther herself, although she does criticize all three. Rather, she blames mental illness, which she characterizes as a mysterious and horrific disease.
- Word count: 3791
Upon entering the ward, McMurphy uses the shared interest of card playing to make a move towards communications with his new peers. His entrance into the ward has the patients intrigued by his character and his immediate rebellious actions. One problem with their interest in him is that the evil Nurse Ratched has trained them to not step outside of their comfort zone. It is this immediate relationship and commonality with the patients that McMurphy uses to his advantage in order to begin his plan early.
- Word count: 2191
(Kesey, p. 185). McMurphy has been able to give the Chief guidance and leadership for the first time. Chief is developing more confidence in himself and is now able to let the words come out. As this confidence continues to grow Chief is unable to contain himself. He has to be silenced by McMurphy. "Easy, easy, Chief. Just cool it for a while. They heard you." (p. 188). Chief has held all his thoughts inside for such a long time and now McMurphy has helped him to let them go free. At this point in the novel, McMurphy opens up a window for Chief and allows him to realize that he has a chance in life and that he can stand up for himself against Nurse Ratchid and the Combine.
- Word count: 927
How are people enslaved and by what means do they attempt to free themselves? - A reflection on "Blade Runner" and "Cuckoo's Nest"
Broom's slavery can be looked at as being a safe type of slavery for as long as he sticks to the image he has created of himself he is safe and although he doesn't have much freedom, what he does have is the knowledge that he is safe, which is a reassuring thing in Ratched's ward where the slightest mishap could have you beaten up by the black boys or sent down to disturbed to meet "their little battery charger" as McMurphy puts it.
- Word count: 935