key scene

• ks para 1

  “And if you’re committed?” This question shows McMurphy's lack of awareness of what being committed actually is. This shows when McMurphy finally finds out what it means to be committed he realises his mistake as he can’t leave after his sentence and realises the nurse- who he constantly winds up and torments- can decide
• ks para 1

  “I’m voluntary. I’m not committed.” These short sentences in this key scene emphasizes that McMurphy was kept in the dark about the other patients- the majority of which aren’t committed like him- knowing he was committed and not telling him.
• ks para 1

  Are you bullshitting me!”- The repetition of this exclamation emphasises he feels betrayed the other patients didn’t have his back like he had their back multiple times. 
• ks para 2

  “getting up early and polishing that latrine till it sparkled” This shows how M has almost been scared into behaving well as he does not want to stay in the ward any longer than he must and shows the nurses growing control and ability to manipulate him.
• ks para 2

  "The most work he did on [the urinals] was to run a brush once or twice” This shows the turning point of McMurphy’s behaviour and how the key scene has a dramatic effect on his behaviour as he has had the revelation that he needs to be good in order to leave the ward.
• ks para 2

  “free” “loud” and a “gambler” this word choice shows he is a person who is consumed with the idea of woman, sex, alcohol, and gambling and is seen as a self-obsessed, shallow and audacious charactee
• ks para 2

  “Why you guys were coming to me like I was some kind of savior” This argumentative and upset tone reveal how he has changed from taking the patients under his wing and having character development to becoming shut off from the other patients as he feels in aguish
• ks para 3

  “reckless” this shows that when mcmurphy doesn't get his way he goes off the rails. Doesn't last long as he realises the patients on the ward need him and rely on him. This shows his character development as after the key scene he begins to watch out for and help the other patients again
• ks para 3

  "chickens at a peckin’ party” the symbolism of this metaphor shows that other patients are constantly in competition and are trying to bring each other down in a bid for validation from the nurse as she has methodically crushed their self-esteem so they rely on her.
• ks para 3

  “fog machine” just like the other patients which symbolizes their fear and lack of freedom. Yet he, like the other patients, finds comfort in hiding in this fog and keeping up the façade as they feel it is a way to stay safe and go undetected by the nurse.
• ks para 3

  everything was sharp and clear and solid like I forgot it could be.” This shows how the key scene has helped McMurphy influence the other patients and open their eyes to the hell that the ward actually is as they begin to grow their own voice and stand up for themselves and not let the nurse continuously put them down