One powerful, one small, this is the base of the biblical story David and Goliath. The story, in which a not so strong hero takes down a strong and powerful leader, is much like McMurphy and Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The match up between McMurphy and Nurse Ratched is a raging and intense one. Through out the novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, McMurphy and Nurse Ratched have always had conflict, as well as a sense of never-ending hatred and disagreement towards each other; which as the novel continues, grows stronger and stronger. Undoubtedly, despite the chaos and tension between them, McMurphy gets the better of the match up, thanks to his ability to manipulate people, his bravery, and his popularity.
McMurphy's strong ability of manipulation helps him overcome conflict and in many occasions over power Nurse Ratched. McMurphy's ability to get others to agree with him and manipulate them gives him the extra advantage against Nurse Ratched.
Louise Fletcher as Nurse Ratched in the 1975 film.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (film)
Jack Nicholson as Randle Patrick McMurphy attendin...In the novel McMurphy attempts to manipulate the other patients about watching the World Series game. He states, "This is where you get the edge, don't you see that? We have to do this - or we're whipped" (126) to try to convince and encourage the patients to vote against the Nurse Ratched to watch the game, but it was a failed attempt because the voting came out even (20-20). This event shows how McMurphy has a sense of control over the patients, as if he were their president or leader, and how McMurphy having all this power, usually leads him to manipulate for personal gain. Another case that shows McMurphy's great ability of manipulation is when McMurphy manipulates Chief Bromden to lift the control panel, "And that arm! That's the arm of...