Tuesday, April 28, 2009
McMurphy's Face
"A set of taillights going past lit up McMurphy's face, and the windshield reflected an expression that was allowed only because he figured it'd be too dark for anybody in the car to see, dreadfully tired and strained and frantic, like there wasn't enough time left for something he had to do...." (257-258). This sentence made me stop for a second; McMurphy is showing weakness, something that I don't think anyone expected him to show. Is he growing tired and fading away like Nurse Ratched expected him to, or is there some deeper going on? Do you think this thing he doesn't have time left for involves the Chief?
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I agree that McMurphy is showing weakness. Earlier, when they were on the boat, Chief says that McMurphy "won't let the pain blot out the humor no more'n he'll let the humor blot out the pain" (250). Maybe he just uses his laughter to cover up the pain or weakness he is feeling. When they all get back from the trip, everyone stays up, all excited, except for McMurphy, who goes right to bed. This doesn't seem normal. Usually, McMurphy would be the one staying up, laughing and having fun with the other patients. I do think that, maybe, he is growing tired and fading away just like Nurse Ratched expected him to.
Everyone has their moment of weakness, even McMurphy. I dont think just because McMurphy shows a little bit of weakness that his "manliness" in the novel will fade. All the men in this novel fade in strength, but McMurphy is, in my opinion, the one figure that will keep his strength, maybe not in every way but in general. I think with help from the Chief and everyone they can all work together to go against the Nurse, and conquer this woman.
I think that McMurphy isn't growing tired and only letting time pass. Just like before when he realized he was "committed" he gave into Nurse Ratched, but in time he came out of his "retirement". I think he will do the same in this case, and that it is part of some bigger plan that McMurphy has for escaping the ward. If he wants to escape or break the Nurse, he will need help not only from the chief, but from all the other patiens as well.
I think Kesey is foreshadowing McMurphy's eventual downfall. Just as the Christ references show, McMurphy cannot be on top forever. Eventually he will be crucified by Radchet for the disturbances he caused. One way or another, McMurphy's reign will end.
This also shows, like when McMurphy delves into his sexual experiences, an instance of vulnerability, creating a more human aspect to McMurphy. These moments of weakness inspire the men that McMurphy is still a man. He is weak sometimes just as he is strong sometimes, which inspires the men to stand on their own
I have to agree with Chelsy on this. The surface of this novel undoubtedly paints McMurphy into a fist swinging demi-god. This makes it easy to forget that McMurphy is a man. He gets tired and he most certainly has time to consider his life in the long run. He is arrogant, leading his outer appearance to take on an unshakable style. However, he is also smart. smart enough to know when a fight isn't worth fighting. He has realized fighting the nurse is not an even fight. In these brief moments where McMurphy thinks nobody can see him, the reader is able to experience the real McMurphy and what he thinks the outcome will be.
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