One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Help?
Oct.07, 2011 in
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What are some reasons that this novel shouldn’t be read in English class? i have to write a paper saying why it shouldn’t be allowed and then another on why it should. i’m having trouble with the why it shouldn’t because i enjoyed the book too much. so far all i have is the obscenity and racism. Any help is appreciated.
October 7th, 2011 at 6:36 am
Definitely the Obscenity and Racism. Although that it deals with unjust treatment in health facilities, (shock therapy and stuff) and it deals with a subject that is sensitive to people, mental health.
These are all things that might not necessarily be offense to the students reading it, but may make the parents of the students uneasy. Parents don’t like not having control over what their children learn and the way they learn it.
http://www.sacredlotus.com/herbs/index.cfm has information about the use of herbs in TCM
http://www.jcm.co.uk/ is the Journal of Chinese Medicine and has research on Chinese medicinals and acupuncture, though it does cost money to access the articles.
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October 7th, 2011 at 7:36 am
Is this for a HS English class or college? Maybe another reason could be that it is geared toward a more mature audience than the typical teenage high schooler. It’s been about 15 years since I read it but I can remember that it had some adult themes. I can’t remember if the lobotomy/shock therapy was graphic or not but if it were that would be another reason.
http://www.sacredlotus.com/herbs/index.cfm has information about the use of herbs in TCM
http://www.jcm.co.uk/ is the Journal of Chinese Medicine and has research on Chinese medicinals and acupuncture, though it does cost money to access the articles.
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October 7th, 2011 at 8:36 am
Well, I can see your problem. So, the reasons I’m giving here aren’t mine (I love the book) but those of a hypothetical Kesey-hater.
1. Slanted and unfair view of mental health-care professionals.
2. Advocates premature release of mentally disturbed individuals
3. Incites resistance and rebellion to authorized authority
4. Encourages anti-social and disruptive behavior
5. Portrays Nurse Ratched in a stereotypical, sexist manner.
http://www.sacredlotus.com/herbs/index.cfm has information about the use of herbs in TCM
http://www.jcm.co.uk/ is the Journal of Chinese Medicine and has research on Chinese medicinals and acupuncture, though it does cost money to access the articles.
Report this comment
October 7th, 2011 at 9:36 am
Yeah, very difficult to create a case against this novel. It’s one of my all-time favorites. And the idea of not allowing it to be studied goes against one of the most important messages in the book–the struggle to maintain your individuality in the face of an oppressive system.
Conservative folks could be offended by the language in the novel. And you’re right about the racism. To me, the most uncomfortable part about teaching this novel is the part when McMurphy fights the “black boys” in the shower and uses the racial epithets. Even though it may have been more “acceptable” for a guy like McMurphy to talk that way in 1960, I still think it somehow hurts an element of his character. That brutality and ignorance he shows makes you lose a little sympathy for him, even though he’s obviously a flawed character elsewhere in the novel. It’s almost like Kesey went a little too far in that scene.
You could go deeper and say the novel glorifies drug use, but this is a stretch. Kesey was a pretty avid drug user and his experiences with LSD are apparent when you read the scenes that delve deep inside the Chief’s imagination—especially the fantastic, symbolic stream of conscience he has after the shock therapy. Maybe you can prove Kesey is a bad role model for students. Of course I disagree, but…
http://www.sacredlotus.com/herbs/index.cfm has information about the use of herbs in TCM
http://www.jcm.co.uk/ is the Journal of Chinese Medicine and has research on Chinese medicinals and acupuncture, though it does cost money to access the articles.
Report this comment
October 7th, 2011 at 10:37 am
No reason any class above 8th grade level shouldn’t be able to read it. The obscenity adds to the validity of the setting being in a mental institution. I mean seriously, if you have to make the argument here, it’s isn’t about the obscenity or racism, it’s about the insanity and instability.. What type of vernacular do you think is used amongst the residence of an institution housing schizophrenics, psychopaths, sociopaths, and the mentally disturbed??
Not to mention, here in the United States, the average kid uses much more foul language than is found in that book. As far as the tones of rascism, they reflect the general attitude that most whites were raised to believe in that era of our history, shameful, but true. The racist tones are more descriptive of a character in the time setting, not overt and preachy like Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf”.
Basically what your debate on this subject will boil down to is that the CONTENT of the book should not be taken out of CONTEXT.
http://www.sacredlotus.com/herbs/index.cfm has information about the use of herbs in TCM
http://www.jcm.co.uk/ is the Journal of Chinese Medicine and has research on Chinese medicinals and acupuncture, though it does cost money to access the articles.
Report this comment