The Power of Speech and Silence

The Power of Speech and Silence


One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest - The Power of Speech and Silence
There are many powers associated with both speech and silence. One can use either speech or silence to their advantage in a power struggle. Both can be very effective if used properly. In the book One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Nurse Ratched and McMurphy use the power of speech and Chief Bromden uses the power of silence.

The power of speech can be used in a number of ways. McMurphy uses his power of speech to rally his fellow patients against the evil Nurse Ratched who is constantly taking their privileges away. He also uses it to get just about anything that he wants, by conning the other patients. Speech gains its power when the volume is raised, and when it is used to humiliate people. It can also be used to intimidate, to flirt and to threaten, all of which are...

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