One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Men Feminist Analysis

Feminism is a Futile Cause Twentieth century literature is not always sympathetic to feministic sentiments. Novels such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The Age of Innocence, and All the King's Men, try to undo the prominent effects the feministic movement of the 20th century. Women's denial of their inferiority is the underlying fear that materializes in these three books to produce reactionary actions and attitudes from their patrimonial society in order to prevent the inversion masculine and feminine role in the western culture. The patrimonial society dominates in all three novels, and its presence is a leviathan of power and intimidation that demolishes any hope for an upheaval of feminine leadership, independence, and liberation
According to critic Steven Ealy, Jack Burden's quest of "self-discovery" helps him to approach his "psychology and moral development" while jeopardizing his intimate relations with the people closest to him (304). His desire to prove his ability to the unscrupulous political tycoon Willie Stark compels him to conduct investigations into Stark's political opposition, Governor Stanton. Anne's respect for her father is destroyed through Burden's struggle to find his identity by being Stark's henchman. Burden's search causes Governor Stanton's malfeasance to surface, which results in the denigration of the Governor's integrity and reputation. Governor Stanton represents utmost model of probity to Annie, and this discovery convinces her to accept that corruptions and deceits are inevitable elements of life. She comes to the unprincipled conclusion that "cleans hands pure heart was no longer with us" (Warren138). Anne's psychological defeat is preceded by her own moral decay which drives her to become Stark's mistress. Burden's internal exploration for insight ironically pushes Anne to undergo her own personal