I came across this quote the other day by psychologist Erinch Fromm that I feel is particularily relevant to the central idea of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.
“It is naively assumed that the fact that the majority of people share certain ideas or feelings proves the validity of these ideas and feelings. Nothing is further from the truth... Just as there is a 'Folie à deux' there is a 'folie à millions.' The fact that millions of people share the same vices does not make these vices virtues, the fact that they share so many errors does not make the errors to be truths, and the fact that millions of people share the same form of mental pathology does not make these people sane. (The Sane Society pgs.14-15)
Anybody agree?
3 comments:
I concur... Kesey is able to effectively demonstrate the way in which the mentality of the masses may not neccessarily prove valid in all cases, and those deemed to be "insane" may in fact, be the most sane of all. It is quite a disturbing notion to consider, but also undeniably important.
Ally, the part of your quote that resonated the most with me was "the fact that millions of people share the same form of mental pathology does not make these people sane." I think it's so interesting that the definition of "sane" is "mentally healthy; free from mental disorder; reasonable: marked by sound judgment". Who is to say what "sound judgment" is? or "mentally healthy"?
I love One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest for the questions that arise about our culture and the labels we place on people we find different. It makes me even more adamant in my efforts not to judge others. This book has something to say, and I'm really looking forward to discussing it in class.
I was going to comment on the exact same part as Megan. Not only can we not take the social norm as what is "right" or "sane, but nobody can decide what is "right" or "sane" for anyone else. The has moral and social parameters shoved on him, and forces those ideas on others, perpetuating the cycle. Quite frankly, it's awful. Question is- How will he break it?
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