Madness in the Society: Analysis of ‘One Flew Over Cuckoo’s Nest’

Abstract

Sanity is what society projects it to be, and which isn't true always. Ken Kesey’s novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest stands against the institutionalised mental illness in hospitals. The novel can be analysed as a metaphor of nineteenth century America when asylums were a place where non-conformists of the society are sent to. Foucault's Madness and Civilization discusses these notions clearly along with the interconnected themes of power, insanity and rebellion. The patients in the asylum may seem insane, but the idea of insanity is often misinterpreted and misrepresented by the society Madness is connected to correction rather than sickness. Therefore, the techniques used to heal the illness are far more unethical. This paper is an observation of insanity or madness in the society. It also unravels the concept of ‘unreason’ by Foucault in Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The social and historic reading of the whole text explores Anti-Conformism (Beat Generation) and Counter Culture Movement (Hippie-culture) in America i.e, Individual v/s Society.