Randall Patrick McMurphy, the tragically flawed character in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey also sacrifices his life for his dignity and that of others. McMurphy's tragic flaw is that he will never give up on a fight; he will not stop until he proves his point and he will not let anyone corrupt his beliefs. Anything that seems a challenge to McMurphy's dignified character, he will rebel against. On the mental ward, the manipulative, all-controlling Nurse Ratched provides that exact challenge.
Bromden describes McMurphy as "loud, brassy" and "accustomed to being top man" (11, 21). Naturally, Nurse Ratched's controlling ways instantly cause conflict between the two characters. Racthed acts in "precise, automatic gestures" and she is manic about keeping a strict order among the men (4). Her mechanical ways and promotion of group mentality juxtapose McMurphy's individuality, humor, and connection to the men. McMurphy takes it into his own hands to fight against Ratched's system so she cannot dehumanize him. He bets the men five dollars that he can "bug her till she comes apart at those neat little seams" (73). He sacrifices himself constantly by defying her demands and causing chaos in her orderly ward in protest to her changing him as a person, like she has done to many of the other men through her manipulation. McMurphy defies Ratched to a point where she has him lobotomized and he is left brain dead, a warning symbol of Ratched's to show the result of anyone crossing her. However, as McMurphy never let her change him for the worse, he died with dignity, for he died as his true self, fighting to maintain his individuality.
Not only does McMurphy's tragic flaw cause him to fight for his dignity, but it allows for him to help the other men, too. McMurphy's motives seemed selfish at first when he seemed to just want to make money from the men's bets. Nonetheless, when McMurphy learns that the men are not committed and that they seriously need help in finding strength and an identity, he continues to sacrifice himself for their benefit. Bromden is greatly changed by McMurphy's actions and many of the other men find the strength to defy Nurse Ratched and leave the ward. McMurphy's sacrifice for his dignity and the assistance he provides the men proves him the true tragic hero.
Bromden describes McMurphy as "loud, brassy" and "accustomed to being top man" (11, 21). Naturally, Nurse Ratched's controlling ways instantly cause conflict between the two characters. Racthed acts in "precise, automatic gestures" and she is manic about keeping a strict order among the men (4). Her mechanical ways and promotion of group mentality juxtapose McMurphy's individuality, humor, and connection to the men. McMurphy takes it into his own hands to fight against Ratched's system so she cannot dehumanize him. He bets the men five dollars that he can "bug her till she comes apart at those neat little seams" (73). He sacrifices himself constantly by defying her demands and causing chaos in her orderly ward in protest to her changing him as a person, like she has done to many of the other men through her manipulation. McMurphy defies Ratched to a point where she has him lobotomized and he is left brain dead, a warning symbol of Ratched's to show the result of anyone crossing her. However, as McMurphy never let her change him for the worse, he died with dignity, for he died as his true self, fighting to maintain his individuality.
Not only does McMurphy's tragic flaw cause him to fight for his dignity, but it allows for him to help the other men, too. McMurphy's motives seemed selfish at first when he seemed to just want to make money from the men's bets. Nonetheless, when McMurphy learns that the men are not committed and that they seriously need help in finding strength and an identity, he continues to sacrifice himself for their benefit. Bromden is greatly changed by McMurphy's actions and many of the other men find the strength to defy Nurse Ratched and leave the ward. McMurphy's sacrifice for his dignity and the assistance he provides the men proves him the true tragic hero.