One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest Novel Quotes
"One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" is a novel written by Ken Kesey in 1962. The story was later adapted into a movie in 1975. The novel is set in a mental hospital and follows the story of Randle McMurphy, a criminal who feigns insanity to avoid prison time. The book is filled with memorable quotes that have stood the test of time. Let's take a look at some of the most popular quotes from the novel.
Quote 1: "They'll keep you in a little box, little rooms. But believe me, this is nothing compared to what's coming."
This quote is spoken by Randle McMurphy early on in the novel. It shows his disdain for the mental hospital and the way that the patients are treated. He believes that the hospital staff will do whatever it takes to keep the patients under their control and that even worse things are in store for them.
Quote 2: "Man, when you lose your laugh you lose your footing."
This quote is spoken by McMurphy to Chief Bromden. It shows how important laughter is to McMurphy and how it can help people keep their sanity. He believes that if you can't laugh, you can't keep your footing in life and everything will start to fall apart.
Quote 3: "But it's the truth even if it didn't happen."
This quote is spoken by McMurphy to the other patients in the hospital. It shows his belief that truth is subjective and that just because something didn't happen doesn't mean it isn't true. He encourages the other patients to speak their minds and express themselves, even if their experiences aren't considered "real."
Quote 4: "I been silent so long now it's gonna roar out of me like floodwaters and you think the guy telling this is ranting and raving my God; you think this is too horrible to have really happened, this is too awful to be the truth!"
This quote is spoken by Chief Bromden towards the end of the novel. It shows his awakening and realization of the truth about the mental hospital and the way that the patients are treated. He has been silent for so long, but now he can't contain his thoughts and feelings any longer.
Quote 5: "The Combine had gotten him."
This quote is repeated throughout the novel by Chief Bromden. It refers to the power structure that controls everything in the mental hospital and in society at large. The Combine is a metaphor for the way that institutions and bureaucracies can crush individuality and freedom.
Quote 6: "He knows that you have to laugh at the things that hurt you just to keep yourself in balance, just to keep the world from running you plumb crazy."
This quote is spoken by McMurphy to Chief Bromden. It shows his belief that laughter is a coping mechanism that can help people deal with difficult situations. He encourages Chief Bromden to laugh at the things that hurt him and to not let the world drive him crazy.
Quote 7: "I'm a goddamn marvel of modern science."
This quote is spoken by McMurphy after he has received shock treatment. It shows his defiance and refusal to be broken by the mental hospital staff. He sees himself as a marvel of modern science and believes that he can withstand anything they throw at him.
Quote 8: "I want to be different."
This quote is spoken by Billy Bibbit, one of the patients in the hospital. It shows his desire to break free from the constraints of his mental illness and be seen as a unique individual. It's a sentiment that is shared by many of the other patients in the hospital.
Quote 9: "They're out there. Black boys in white suits up before me to commit sex acts in the hall and get it mopped up before I can catch them."
This quote is spoken by Chief Bromden, who is prone to hallucinations. It shows the way that his mind is constantly working against him and creating paranoid fantasies. It's a powerful insight into the experience of mental illness.
Quote 10: "I'm not what you think I am."
This quote is spoken by McMurphy to Nurse Ratched, the head nurse at the hospital. It shows his insistence that he is not just a criminal pretending to be mentally ill, but a complex individual with his own identity and motivations.
Conclusion
"One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" is a powerful novel that explores the experience of mental illness and the way that institutions can crush individuality and freedom. The book is filled with memorable quotes that have become part of popular culture. Whether you've read the book or seen the movie adaptation, these quotes will stay with you long after you've finished the story.