Authority over the Disabled
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In the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, by Ken Kesey, the theme of authority over the mentally disabled is an important issue that gives the plot its structure. There are two types of authorities in the story; positive authority and negative authority. At some point of the story, these two come in conflict, and eventually, the negative authority over rules the positive authority.
To begin with, the negative authority in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is Ms. Ratched (Big Nurse). Her authority towards the patients is negative because of the uneasiness she makes the patients feel, the tension that the Big Nurse creates on the ward also makes the staff and the patients feel like she is the power over them. For example, when the group discussions are held, the Big Nurse makes Mr. Harding feel very tense by picking on a subject that has an effect on his life. Because the Big Nurse started the discussion, Mr. Harding believes she is the only one to end it...