The diagram, known as the “Circles
of Control” outlines the process of maintaining oppression, which is included
and expanded upon in Sean Ruth’s article “Understanding Oppression and
Liberation.” The image includes the four steps: physical, economic,
psychological, and internalized. Each of these phases contributes to forcing
the oppressed group, out of the dominating group, the oppressors. This was
apparent in Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the
Cuckoo’s Nest, as the patients were forced to go through these stages in
the oppressive ward, run by Nurse Ratched.
Physical oppression in the ward is
usually only used in extreme cases, but the threat of it always lingers. This
helps to ensure cooperation, among the oppressed. The patients are afraid of the many horrible
treatments they could receive if they act out, which gets them sent to receive
shock treatments, accompanied by solitary confinement. According to one of the
patients, they are “said to do the work of the sleeping pill, the electric
chair, and the torture rack” (Kesey
67). The threat of such “treatments” renders the patients powerless. It further
oppresses and even isolates them when they are sent to such an unpleasant fate.
The character of Chief Bromden exemplifies this. He is actually believed to be
deaf and mute because of his lack of interaction, and that is partly due to the
treatments he received when he first arrived when such punishments were more
commonplace.
The psychological phase is the part
that Nurse Ratched does best. As the patient explains to McMurphy, “she
eventually gets inside everyone” (Kesey 70). The nurse specializes in mind
tactics to maintain control. She brings up just the right issues that will
belittle the patients to feel inferior and powerless. After all, what are they
going to do: “vote that the nurse may not ask any questions in Group Meetings?
Vote that she shall not look at us in
a certain way?” (Kesey 66). This works along with the final stage, which is
internalized oppression. In this step, the patients start to believe that they are inferior and
powerless. This belief causes them to feel ashamed and the members of the oppressed
group begin mistreating one another just as their oppressors mistreat them. Now
they are trying to force each other out of society, as well, and not only are
they cut off from society, but also, they are cut off from each other.
Ruth, Sean. “Understanding
Oppression and Liberation.” Studies: An
Irish Quarterly Review 77.308
(1988) : 434-44. JSTOR. Web. 24 Jan.
2014.
Julia, I think in your post you referred to the characters in your book a lot. You should focus primarily on your argument and somehow relate it to the image. I think you should stick with explaining the image itself more thoroughly and clearly. You should talk about internalized oppression in a separate paragraph and elaborate on it. Give an example from the book that demonstrates how they are mistreating each other and why are they trying to force each other out. I also did not see the economic oppression stage in this post. There was no clear thesis while I was reading. I see that you are trying to describe the different forms of oppression but there is no argument. I was a little confused when you talked about the character Chief Bromden because I could not find a connection between him and oppression. Also, you should be careful when you use words like "this" and "they" because I did not know who and what you were referring to at times. Overall I think that the topic can be more interesting if you strongly support your thesis with the circles of control.
ReplyDeleteThe word "oppression" is vague. When possible, be more specific. I understand that you will have to use it when incorporating the chart, but when talking about the novel, you might be able to use the actual example of oppression.
ReplyDelete"This was apparent" and "Chief Bromden exemplifies this" are also vague. Instead of using "this," just write what you are talking about. This is a super interesting concept. I was left feeling a bit unsatisfied reading "this" instead of a detailed explanation of exactly what you are talking about. Ha! I just saw that Lisa wrote the same thing! Take her (and my) advice.
I agree with Lisa. I think you will need to allot a separate paragraph to fully explain this image, before you start synthesizing it with "Nest." This is some complex stuff you're writing about here. I encourage you to keep exploring this connection between oppression and Kesey's novel. However, your challenge will be to make sure that you don't assume your reader gets it. You need to clearly explain the connections you are making. Your purpose will be compromised as soon as your reader fails to "get it."