He who Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

From McMurphy's arrival to Nurse Ratched's ward, up to his death, several changes in the other patients occurred. Most evident is Chief Bromdem's transformation from a delusional schizophrenic with no confidence to a "Big" free man. This is all due to the rehabilitation that McMurphy induced in the patients with his uprising towards Ratched's abusive power. Kesey suggests that even selfless beings like Bromden can take control of themselves and liberate themselves from others (mostly society) grinding and crushing.

In the beginning of One Few Over the Cuckoo's Nest Bromdem was overwhelmed by a poor mental state therefore he was hid by the fog. He was almost invisible and had no personality, but he was satisfied being almost no one. Even though he was physically big, a war veteran and football player, Bromden convinced himself he was extremely weak because of others oppression over him. As McMurphy begins to "pull out patients out of the fog" even the Chief takes a stand and lifted himself out of it. "No. That's not the truth. I lifted myself." (page 123). Slowly the Chief got ahold of his own voice and began to use it. He was no longer the pusillanimous automaton that simply lived. He began to build himself towards the Big Chief.

Bromden developed his own individuality as he saw McMurphy taking a stand against the Black Boy's and the Nurse's authority. He had the initiative to fight alongside McMurphy and eventually defeated the control that insanity imposed over him. "It's fogging a little, but I won't slip off and hide in it. No… never again…" (page 248) said Bromden as he realized he would hide no more. McMurphy inspired courage and determination in Bromden throughout rebellious actions that ended up instigating him the need of freedom. McMurphy was a hero and a savior for the patients after sacrificing his own health so Bromden killed him to finally give him rest and freedom. Bromdem's transformation from being almost invisible to being a hero similar to McMurphy is evident, but he is certainly more than that. It is up to one to challenge authority and control to find freedom even though sometimes a savior is needed to ignite an insurrection. Kesey portrays a structure like any society where repression must be fought because those who enforce authority are just as sane and mortal as those who obey.