Transcript Psychoanalytic Theory/Feminist Theory

Psychoanalytic
Theory/Feminist
Theory
In…
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Psychoanalytic theory
 Provides a lens to understand characters
by claiming that behavior is caused by
hidden and unconscious motives.
Questions to ask as you read
and look for examples of
Psychoanalytic Theory…
 What are the obvious hidden motives that
cause a character’s behavior and
speech?
 Consider characters’ and/or author’s
background (repressed childhood,
trauma, adolescent memories)
Randle McMurphy:
Psychoanalytic Theory
 Quote/Textual Example:
 “Ya know mam, Ya know—that is the exact
thing somebody always tells me about the
rules just when they figure I’m about to do
the dead opposite” (28).
Randle McMurphy
 Analysis:
(What does the quote show readers about the character?)
 He’s not afraid to challenge authority
 He has a history of challenging authority
 It could foreshadow his challenging of Nurse Ratched’s
system/rules
 Causes readers to question why he won’t/can’t follow
the established rules of the ward/society. Is it because
the rules are ridiculous or serve no purpose?
Randle McMurphy
 Theme:
(How does this example help support the theme of
the novel?)
 Stand up against conformity/system/combine
 By means of mechanisms and machines, and
Nurse Ratched’s rules combine/society gains
control of and suppresses individuality and natural
impulses.
Chief Bromden:
Psychoanalytic Theory
 Quote/Textual Example:
 “and I am glad when it gets thick enough
you’re lost in it and can let go, and be safe
again” (101).
 “I know why now: as bad as it is, you can
slip back in it and feel safe. That’s what
McMurphy can’t understand, us wanting to
be safe.”
Chief Bromden
 Analysis:
 Causes us to question Chief’s reasons for
“slipping away” into the fog. Why does he
want to escape or hide?
 What is he hiding from?
Chief Bromden
 Theme:
 Ideas of Conformity
 Fear of those that are different to stand up
for individuality
 Bromden tries to be as invisible as possible
by pretending not to understand what is
gong on around him, so people notice him
less and less.