Duke U boycott and "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest": love it or hate it?

[R. P. McMurphy]

19. I chose my screen name because I identify . . .

with several of McMurphy's characteristics. He's in his situation because of his own poor choices, he won't stop saying what he believes even though he knows he'll pay for his outspokenness, he tries to get others to respect and believe in themselves. Most important to me, he doesn't give up hope. The scene in the water therapy room where he attempts to pick the marble fountain up and send it crashing through the window always inspired me. Even though he failed he reminds the others "at least I tried." You cannot succeed unless you try.

I'd never given much thought to the misogynistic aspects of the book. You are absolutely correct; they are there. I doubt that Ken Kesey thought much about it when he wrote the novel. Maybe the females were cheap caricatures used to drive the story line. Maybe they were based on real women he knew (maybe even ones from the hospital he worked at that inspired the story). Maybe he just had a misogynistic streak. It was a very common trait of men of that time (and probably still is today).

Nevertheless, your points are valid. If I ever re-read the book your insight will certainly inform my understanding of these characters (although I'll keep in mind that women can be flawed, hurtful beings as well). What I'll probably take away, though, is that McMurphy helped them to remember that they are able to change and there may be something better out there if they have the courage to go look for it.