So far in the McMurphy vs Big Nurse rivalry, I have to give the edge to McMurphy. Even after the employees have tried to take control of him with their "questionable" ward policy, he still finds a way to rise above it. "Against ward policy?" (Keesy 135 iBooks). This simple acceptance allows the other patients to see the obvious strictness of the ward rule. In a way, he's winning by delayed submission: making enough hassle so that patients such as Bromden see, but then giving in to what the ward employees want. He also is able to keep his emotions in check, which doesn't give the ward anything to work with when planning their next move. "He's making sure none of the staff sees him bothered by anything; he knows that there's no better way in the world to aggrevate somebody who's trying to make it hard for you than by acting like you're not bothered" (Keeesy 154 iBooks). In essence, McMurphy's hanging tough trying to outlast the opposition, and so far, he's winning.
Chief Bromden has started to become extremely nosy at this point in the story. He's become even more observant, trying to come up with answers to certain mysteries like how the fog works. This is directly resultant of how McMurphy isn't backing down to Big Nurse and the ward employees. In a way, they feed off of each other. If one makes a move, the other reacts and changes their game plan.
I'm really rooting for McMurphy alone right now. I want to see if he can ride it out and rise victorious over the emotional shackles of the ward. He's off to a good start. Can he keep it up through the last half of the story though. He still has a ways to go, but so far, so good. As for Bromden, I'm still not sure if his head is in the right place. We have to see where his focus goes in the last half of the story.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Cuckoo's Nest 1
Hero- McMurphy. As far as we know, he's the most sane person in the joint excluding the staff. He's obviously a smart individual who doesn't want to stay in the ward forever. For him, it's more of a temporary escape route from the labor camp. "After he checks the day room over a minute, he sees he meant for the Acute side and goes right for it, grinning and shaking hands with everybody" (Keesy 28 iBooks version). He generally seems like a nice guy, and we as the audience are compelled to root for him going forward.
Antihero-Bromden. Our narrator doesn't necessarily want to be a hero. He is more forced into that kind of role due to him being taken advantage of. "the black boys keep bringing me seconds of everything--supposed to be for me, but they eat it insetad--till all three of them get breakfast while I lie there on that pee-stinking matress" (Keesy 17 iBooks). He might have to be a silent hero even though he'd rather keep to himself.
Villain- Big Nurse. So far, the nurse is the most villainous character out there. In a way, she kind of represents the unforgiving nature of the ward. She's there to maintain order and please not the patients, but rather the high ranking people who represent the ward. "She blows up bigger and bigger, big as a tractor, so big I can smell the machinery inside they way you smell a motor pulling a load" (Keesy 12 iBooks). It's basically the patients vs The Machine, and so far, the Machine is well in control of things.
Antihero-Bromden. Our narrator doesn't necessarily want to be a hero. He is more forced into that kind of role due to him being taken advantage of. "the black boys keep bringing me seconds of everything--supposed to be for me, but they eat it insetad--till all three of them get breakfast while I lie there on that pee-stinking matress" (Keesy 17 iBooks). He might have to be a silent hero even though he'd rather keep to himself.
Villain- Big Nurse. So far, the nurse is the most villainous character out there. In a way, she kind of represents the unforgiving nature of the ward. She's there to maintain order and please not the patients, but rather the high ranking people who represent the ward. "She blows up bigger and bigger, big as a tractor, so big I can smell the machinery inside they way you smell a motor pulling a load" (Keesy 12 iBooks). It's basically the patients vs The Machine, and so far, the Machine is well in control of things.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Socratic Seminar Questions
1) Who does Daisy really love: Tom or Gatsby?
I think that Daisy really does love Gatsby. The problem is that Daisy got so used to living a luxurious life with Tom that she wasn't sure if wanted to risk losing that by living with Gatsby.
2) How is Gatsby "The Great Gatsby"?
I think Gatsby sees himself as great because of his actual aspirations to be great. I think he hopes that considering himself great will make it easier for him to become great.
3) Why does Fitzgerald let Tom and Daisy come out on top?
I think he does this to prove a major point. Sometimes money can't buy you success and happiness. It just comes down to fate and luck.
4) Where does the connection lie between Fitzgerald and Gatsby?
I think it lies in their personality around others. As we see, Gatsby is not the typical party host. He sort of remains aloof in the background. Fitzgerald may have been the same way with the troubles in his love life and his addictions to alcohol.
I think that Daisy really does love Gatsby. The problem is that Daisy got so used to living a luxurious life with Tom that she wasn't sure if wanted to risk losing that by living with Gatsby.
2) How is Gatsby "The Great Gatsby"?
I think Gatsby sees himself as great because of his actual aspirations to be great. I think he hopes that considering himself great will make it easier for him to become great.
3) Why does Fitzgerald let Tom and Daisy come out on top?
I think he does this to prove a major point. Sometimes money can't buy you success and happiness. It just comes down to fate and luck.
4) Where does the connection lie between Fitzgerald and Gatsby?
I think it lies in their personality around others. As we see, Gatsby is not the typical party host. He sort of remains aloof in the background. Fitzgerald may have been the same way with the troubles in his love life and his addictions to alcohol.
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