Chapter 9, 10, and 11

"The clock at the end of the mess hall shows it's quarter after seven, lies about how we only been sitting here fifteen minutes when you can tell it's been at least an hour" (93). The Big Nurse sits in the control room which gives her access to control every action in the ward. This quote discusses that she is in charge of time. The Nurse decides when things can happen and by doing so, is in full control of the patients lives. She changes the clocks, so that things last exactly how long she plans. This allows her to keep everything on schedule even if there are obstacles. Because of her actions, the ward runs as a machine and she acts as the control panel. Everything works mechanically with no outliers. This denies patients any freedom and reasonable treatment because their minds cannot make decisions and are under the Nurse's control.

"One by one the patients are sneaking looks at her to see how she's taking the way McMurphy is dominating the meeting...She's too big to be beaten...She's lost a little battle here today, but it's a minor battle in a big war that she's been winning...She don't lose on her losses, but she wins on ours...As soon as you let down your guard, as soon as you lose once, she's won for good" (101). These negative feelings, that are discussed by the Chief, are also the views of most of the other patients in the ward. Even though McMurphy has recently come into the hospitol, he has already started making a difference with the way things are run. He stands up for what he wants and battles the Nurse for superiority. However, there is still a problem which is discussed in this quote. The patients in the ward have given up. The Nurse has already made such a strong impact on their minds and they feel that there is no hope. Even with a powerful man like McMurphy, they don't see a reason to try. I feel that this moment is one of the last times the patients feel this way and they will finally get to see that the Nurse can be over powered.

"But I tried, though...Goddammit, I sure as hell did that much, now, didn't I?" (111). This quote is from McMurphy and he says it right after he fails at lifting an extremely heavy control panel. He is saying this to make himself feel better for not lifting it. However, there is more likely a deeper meaning for this quote. I feel that he is actually saying it to the patients with extreme anger. He is tired of them not sticking up for themselves. McMurphy went to lift the panel even when it was hard to do. He did not know whether or no he was going to succeed, but he still tried. All of the patients in the ward will never stick up for themselves. They are too afraid that something might happen. McMurphy is yelling at them because he wants them to stand up for their freedom. He wants them to be in control and to not be cowards. Even if they don't succeed at it, they could at least give it a try. If not they would never know what could have happened.