One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest Speech Act Theory Essay

Ken Kesey forms the intricate relationships among the characters in the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by the unique use of perspective and speech. Throughout the novel, Kesey depicts this connection between the public world and the seemingly closed off society inside the mental institution. This creates two separate spheres separated by a few walls and doors. Kesey goes on to form a unique perspective in the novel, told by a paranoid schizophrenic, with the narrator’s caricature-like description of characters in the novel. This makes the audience ponder if the narrator is always depicting images as they truly are. This evolves into the Speech-Act Theory, which illustrates reality versus false utterance. Through the†¦show more content†¦Burke, a critical analyzer of the novel, characterized this by the act of â€Å"drama†. â€Å"Specifically, dramatism focuses on how we use language and create both real-life and fictional narratives Ã¢â‚¬Ë œto present a particular view of a situation, just as a play creates and presents a certain world or situation inhabited by characters in the play† (Rutten, 2012). Through the act of dramatism, the interactions in the novel are shaped. This act of dramatizing insanity separates the social spheres of the â€Å"normal† and the â€Å"insane† creating a social distinction between the two parties. They are perceived differently and immediately receive a warning label when they are viewed as â€Å"insane†. Humans form this stereotype through our adjusted, fixed attitudes towards people who are â€Å"disabled†. Rutten states â€Å"A rhetorical perspective (on the word â€Å"disabled†) essentially enables an understanding of the complexity of ‘impairment’ and ‘disability’ as a cultural/discursive as well as a social and structural phenomenon† (Rutten, 2012). This shows how society tends to suppress those who hav e mental illnesses and ignore them. They are locked away in a mental institution, shielded from the public eye. The Speech-Act Theory comes into play when viewing the certain utterances said by patients in the mental institution. The theory focuses on â€Å"the distinction between performative and constative utterances† (Bernaerts, 2010). Performative utterances areShow MoreRelatedMadness in One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Hamlet Essay example2151 Words   |  9 PagesThe issue of madness has been touched by many writers. In this paper I will focus on two important writings which deal directly with the mental illnesses. The first one is One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest by Ken Kesey first published in 1962. The second is Hamlet written by Shakespeare approximately in 1602. Ken Kesey worked nights in a mental institution in California and his novel has a lot of truth in it. He faced patients insanity every day and was confident that it was natural responseRead MoreTh e Medical And Social Models Of Disability2264 Words   |  10 Pagesdisability and understand the concepts in which it is perceived by individuals and groups in society. This essay will be focussing on the medical and social model of disability and including references and ideas used from the previous media portfolios. The barriers in which people my face on a day to day basis, how these can be prevented and how they are portrayed in the society. This essay will also include the differences between the two models and factors that result in the ‘oppression and discrimination