Today in our discussion we thoroughly discussed the patients' newfound confidence from McMurphy's presence in the ward. One classmate brought up the point that they believed the patients actually can have confidence without McMurphy, because this confidence is something they all possess. They just all believe McMurphy is the root of this feeling that has been held back for many years. If the patients would just realize this, they would not revert back to their old, timid selves.
For some reason, this made me think of the FANTASTIC 1996 film Space Jam, starring Bugs Bunny and Michael Jordan. Hopefully everyone has seen this movie, because it is superb. The one specific instance I thought of was when Bugs' basketball team is losing to the monsters, so he passes around a water bottle that says "Michael's Secret Stuff." All the players drank it and immediately feel stronger and more confident, because they believe this drink will make them play like Michael Jordan. But, it was only water in the bottle.
The patients at the ward all behave differently because they think they need "McMurphy's Secret Stuff," or just McMurphy's presence, in the ward. Before I read the remainder of the book and find out the fate of all the characters, I'm hoping that the character's realize that "McMurphy's Secret Stuff" is actually water. Meaning, I hope they all realize their strength and confidence can be present even when McMurphy is not. Even if they do not use it to overthrow the Big Nurse, knowing that confidence can be something found independently will help all the characters in the story drastically improve their lives.
That is such an awsome comparison haley! I love the movie Space Jam and can totally relate to how movies and things like that always relate to the book we are on. The other day, while reading, I was staring so hard at the book that my eyes kept stinging/bluring. It was so strange! I compared itto getting a screwed up shopping cart at a stroe, that not matter how hard you try to push it straight, it always goes to the right or left! It's very fun to find little things like that, even if you are the only one who gets it. But the Space Jam-Confidence tie is undeniable! Nice work digging that one up.
ReplyDeletePs: I find your blog theme extremely fitting and adorable!