Journey's in as You like It and one Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest

English Assignment

Journeys are inherently a transformative process, with opportunities taking the form of new understanding of both a character’s self and the context surrounding them. Both Shakespeare’s comedic play As You Like It and Ken Kesey’s post-modernist novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest portray the transformation of its characters throughout the texts, via a close examination of the gradual evolution of character that occurs within the protagonists of each text.

During the process of the journey, characters encounter certain obstacles which act as a conduit to personal evolution. This can be seen in Shakespeare’s As You Like It, which explores the growth of characters throughout their journeys through an examination of personal adversity. “Why, whither shall we go?” In this, Shakespeare employs alliteration and evocative imagery so as to highlight the adversity of Rosalind’s situation and her abject helplessness as a result, which serves to introduce the journeys transformative consequence to the responder. The composer fully realises this theme of transformation as a consequence of the journey through Rosalind’s transformation to Ganymede “I would cure you if you would be call me Rosalind and come every day to my cot and woo me”. Shakespeare uses medical imagery and hyperbole to show her progression from a timid outsider to an assertive woman, accurately portraying the journey as a key catalyst in the process of transformation.

Similarly, Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest reflects the transformative process of the journey through the experiences of Chief Bromden. “Stick a mop in my hand and motion to the spot they aim for me to clean today, and I go” Through Kesey’s use of jaunted syntax and passive verb, Chief’s role as a passive and introverted member of his environment is emphasised, allowing the composer to introduce the journey as a conduit towards personal growth. This transformation is fully realised in “I heard the running squeak of the black boys shoes in the hall and I put my hand on the sill and vaulted… I ran across the grounds in the direction I saw the dog run.” With Kesey employing onomatopoeia and contextual zoomorphism so as to highlight the characters progression, as a result of his journey throughout the novel.

Through the act of the journey in each text, characters transform via exposure to adversities that challenge their pre-conceived notions of self-identity. Throughout each text, the composers promote this evolution of character as either a sudden or gradual process, affected in a large part by the significants of surrounding characters to the protagonist. This can be seen in Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest through the relationship of the Chief and McMurphy. This relationship is integral in building Chief’s character throughout of the context of the narrative. “Yessir, that’s what I came to this establishment for, to entertain.” In this, Kesey utilised contextual purpose and colloquial language so as to identify McMurphy’s purpose as an enlightener with his lack of mental disability allowing him to build empathy with the Chief and the patients. This leadership role while serving to empower the remaining patients, forces McMurphy to sacrifice his own humanity  “I can’t take it in here anymore”. The composer employs this to inspire evocative imagery, grounding the audience within McMurphy’s plight.