Cuckoo's Nest blog post 2

The conflict between Big Nurse and McMurphy is in full swing at the end of "Part One." Who is getting the best of their rivalry at this point? Why do you say that (specific evidence)?

              I think McMurphy is getting the best of the rivalry between him and Big Nurse. Big Nurse is continuously getting upset with McMurphy’s actions. For example, Mcmurphy wants to watch the World Series but they are on Tv in a time aloted to chores. McMurphy doesn't care for the schedule though and he quits what he was doing, goes over to the Tv, pulls over two chairs (one for him to sit in and one for him to put his feet in), and turns on the game. The patients can see "the nurse’s face get red and her mouth work as she stares at him." Clearly, she is angry and in disbelief that he is still doing what she said not to. She barges into the room and yells at him. Many of the other patients come over and sit in front of the television. "Then Cheswick goes and gets him a chair, and then Billy Bibbit goes, and then Scanlon and then Fredrickson and Sefelt, and then we all put down our mops and brooms and scouring rags and we all go pull us chairs up." The nurse is furious now "'You men—Stop this. Stop!' And we’re all sitting there lined up in front of that blanked-out TV set, watching the gray screen just like we could see the baseball game clear as day, and she’s ranting and screaming behind." 

            McMurphy- who, after a vote that was unfairly ended, has the support of a majority of the patients, around 21 of the 40 patients- presses a rebellion against Big Nurse. She wants to move McMurphy to a different institute, referred to as the Disturbed. This shows that she sees McMurphy as a threat and that she can be torn apart if the right actions are taken.

 What is your perception of the Chief at this point in the story? Why? And how has the presence of McMurphy changed the Chief's character or his narration (be specific)?

            I believe Chief is a reliable narrator, for the most part. I am unsure as to if he really saw the part where the man was hung by his ankles or not. He perceives this dream as if it really happened, and when he awakens he can’t decide if his dream really happened, or not. However, he does show that he is an observant person in many scenes, especially scenes were McMurhpy is doing something bizarre compared to normal actions that occur in the institute. The scenes with McMurphy appear to be some of the most important scenes in the book thus far. He may be a reliable narrator when it is absolutely necessary.  

Who are you rooting for at this point in the story and why?     

            I am rooting for McMurphy and the rest of the patients. They have been mistreated by the staff of the institution and are finally rebelling. We, as a society, should want the patients to win because we frequently root for the underdog or someone who is fighting someone villainous. I am glad McMurphy came to the institute because since he did many of the patients have been able to finally stand-up against their abusers.