One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Here ’s everyOne Flew Over The Cuckoo ’s Nestreferences inRatched . In decree to interpret the references inRatched , one needs to delve into Nurse Ratched ’s history in the realm of lit and cinema , namely Ken Kesey ’s 1962 novel and Miloš Forman ’s 1975 adaption starring Jack Nicholson as Randle McMurphy . Ratchedtraces back the story trajectory of Nurse Mildred Ratched , who has been hailed as one of the keen moving-picture show villain of all time due to her cold - hearted demeanor and need to control the works of the psychiatric infirmary she oversees as Head Nurse .
Set 16 long time before the events ofCuckoo ’s Nest , Ratchedfollows the titular character ( Sarah Paulson ) , who is fresh off her years as an Army nanny during World War II . However , apart from Paulson ’s grapheme , the series offshoot into wildly varying focusing , insert a horde of new character that actuate the narrative . AsRatchedis a prequel tothe event ofCuckoo ’s Nest , director Ryan Murphy wanted to sweep the story across three more seasons . While there is no give-and-take on when or if those seasons will ever arrive on Netflix , there areCuckoo ’s Nestreferences inRatchedfrom both source material , specially Ratched ’s motivations that drive her throughout the show .
Critique Of Psychiatric Techniques Of The 1960s
Written in 1959 during the Civil Rights Movement , One Flew Over The Cuckoo ’s Nestis a vituperative critique of how psychiatry was approached in America during the metre . The various authorities that ascertain single exemption in mental asylum are referred to as “ The Combine , ” treating patients as cogs in a automobile . TheCuckoo ’s Nestreferences inRatchedshow pernicious , deep - entrenched coerciveness exists in the character of Dr. Richard Hanover , who carry heinous experimentation on patients at Lucia State Hospital . Like inOne Flew Over the Cuckoo ’s Nest , the ultimate government agency of “ The Combine ” is personify by Nurse Ratched herself , who keep in line patient and infirmary staff alike to rear through the ranks of the innovation .
It is also interesting to note that the novel presents genial institutions as cat’s-paw of oppression , a form of torture bedroom with invisible forms of discipline that overcharge away end of individuality . This is exemplify in the fate of McMurphy , who pay up the price of stand up up to Ratched ’s dictatorial cruelty by undergo a leukotomy at the last of the pic . As prefrontal leucotomy is Midred ’s ultimate weapon against McMurphy or anyone who dare to weaken her build order , Ratchedsets up the view for the same heavy , which will ultimatelygive way to Nurse Ratcheds spite , sadistic touchstone of aesculapian care for which she ’s known .
The Set Design And Aesthetic Of Lucia State Hospital
The introduction of McMurphy inCuckoo ’s Nestallows audiences a peek beneath Nurse Ratched ’s layered character . Through McMurphy ’s interaction with the patients , one sympathise who Ratched really is and what she stomach for . From referencing her as “ Big Nurse , ” which is a play on the Orwellian Big Brother , to revealing her pleasure in restrict patients ’ access code to essential , McMurphy , along with the teller , Chief , call forth the prison house - like atmosphere and dread that pervades the institution . TheseCuckoo ’s Nestreferences inRatchedwere captured through the infirmary ’s set design , along with Mildred ’s closet , which consists of natural jewel tone that are mirror by the hospital ’s partitions , window remedies , and floors .
This was intentionally done toreflect McMurphy ’s prospect on genial institutions- a site of “ fierceness , oppressiveness , lust , invidia , greed , and evil . ” On one hand , there ’s a humane and progressive treatment for people who take it ; on the other , there ’s an inconspicuous , murky underbelly that pervades throughout , especially in the actions of Ratched , who encourages a patient role to commit self-destruction for her own gains . Furthermore , the wave-particle duality in her character is sometimes soft and feminine , but mostly geomorphologic and heavily - tailored . Another reference to the picture is when Ratched places the hospital ’s fundamental ring on her sleeve , which mirrors the exact way in which Louise Fletcher ’s character does so .
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“Angel of Mercy” — The Duality Of Nurse Ratched
InCuckoo ’s Nest , Nurse Ratched comes off as a complex character who is grueling to read , her manipulations progressing subtly through the picture ’s story . When McMurphy posits the idea that the patients should learn the World Series instead of attending group therapy , Nurse Ratched transference the onusto the patients , welcome the theme of a voting system , which might hail off as democratic at first , but is anything but . Ratched is cognizant of the intuitive fearfulness in the hearts of the affected role , which prevents them from endure up against her , as the consequences of doing so under her regime would be highly calamitous .
TheCuckoo ’s Nestreferences inRatchedtake this duality of theatrical role further and make it an integral part of her fictional character motivations . She is kind , barbarous , homicidal , and empathetic all at once , institute that prior to the events ofCuckoo ’s Nest , her legal action could in the end be redeemable , especially via her love forGwendolyn Briggs ( Cynthia Nixon ) . While not blind to her inhuman treatment , Ratched ’s past foreshadows her machination , as a kind of ferine loneliness drives her to assume the blanket of an “ angel of clemency . ” It is only a matter of time before Mildred unleashes her ire - fueled agony to wash away the kindness and sexual love residing within her .
Ratched Isn’t The Only Show To Heavily Reference Cuckoo’s Nest
One Flew Over the Cuckoo ’s Nestremains one of the most dear flick in history , outrank in the top 20 on IMDb . There are moment that remain iconic and memorable almost 50 years later . It is surprising there are n’t moreCuckoo ’s Nestreferences inRatched . However , there are denotation toCuckoo ’s Nestin other movies and television shows over the year , fromGossip GirltoTed Lasso . The Simpsonsbased almost an entire episodeon it with " Stark Raving Dad . " When Mr. Burns institutionalize Homer to a mental asylum for being a " free - cerebration anarchist , " Homer finds himself in a situation very similar toCuckoo ’s Nest .
Transformerscreator Bob Budiansky said the physician Ratchet was key out after Nurse Ratched . He said a band of the Transformers names came from his own experience of pop culture , with Ratchet inspired by Nurse Ratched and Ironhide from the quondam television set show Ironside . " I was trying to humanize them , give them relatable qualities . " ( viaThe Guardian ) .
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