of essay topics related to the book (one sample listed)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a novel written by Ken Kesey, published in 1962 It was adapted into an Academy Award-winning movie in 1975 and is often seen as an important work of literature in American culture. The story follows the life of Randle P. McMurphy, a criminal and gambler, who is sent to a state mental hospital, where he finds himself caught in a power struggle with the strict and oppressive Nurse Ratched.
The novel is important and relevant to this day, as it deals with themes of autonomy, freedom, and human rights. Here are five essay topics related to One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest:
1. Analyse the power struggle between Nurse Ratched and McMurphy. What does it symbolize, and what does the victory of McMurphy over Ratched mean for the patients?
2. Evaluate the role of the “Combine” in the novel. Does it represent a real-life institution, and if so, what is the purpose of its control over the hospital?
3. Examine the motifs of defeatism and defeat in the novel. What characters, actions, and ideas are associated with a feeling of defeat, and how does this contribute to the novel's overall themes?
4. Discuss the importance of the narrative structure of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. In what ways does the story structure influence the reader's interpretation of the events in the novel?
5. Assess McMurphy’s role in the novel. What is the significance of his presence in the hospital, and how does his individual story contribute to the novel's themes?