Redemption On The Ruins--- An Interpretation Of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest From The Perspective Of Benjamin’s Theory Of Modern Allegory

As one of the famous novelists of the 20 th century, Ken Kesey is famous for his penetrating disclosure of the gloomy side of American society. In his works, he reflects the living conditions of modern people and social issues of the chaotic modern society.His masterpiece, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was written in the turbulent period of the 1960 s. In the novel, Ken Kesey pays close attention to modern social problems and the spiritual predicament of modern people who are struggling in the frustration and despair. Featured with shocking stories, weird characters and gloomy scenes, Ken Kesey’s expression is accord with the modern allegorical writing. Based on Walter Benjamin’s modern allegorical theory, this thesis focuses on the study of allegorical meanings and the author’s idea of redemption through allegorical features, allegorical forms that the novel takes on and allegorical themes.First, this thesis explores the allegorical features of the novel by applying Walter Benjamin’s modern allegory theory. Through analyzing features of fragmentation,melancholy and ambiguity of the novel, it can be summarized that One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is an allegorical novel.Next, the thesis discusses allegorical forms that the novel takes on. From metaphorical images and ironic images, it can be seen that Ken Kesey reflects the compulsive repression of mechanical society, impacts of industrial civilization and the barren spirit of modern people through metaphorical images of ruins and the Combine.And he also expresses his dissatisfaction with the dark American society by means of ironic images of whiteness and music.Last, the thesis studies the allegorical themes implied in the novel from aspects of rebellion against fetters of modern civilization, returning to nature and redemption. In the novel, through characters’ process of fleeing from restrictive modern civilization,Ken Kesey conveys his rebellious spirit against repression, hatred against industrialization and his great desire of returning to nature. Besides, Ken Kesey points out that modern people’s redemption is spiritual sublimation through positive fighting,belief and returning to nature.To sum up, Ken Kesey successfully depicts One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest as an allegorical novel through the fragmentary form, melancholy atmosphere and ambiguous text. Through metaphorical images of ruins and the Combine and ironic images of whiteness and music, Ken Kesey reflects modern people’s spiritual crisis and mocks the repression of American society on humanity. By means of modern allegorical writing, he presents the turbulent American society of the 1960 s and modern people’s mental decline caused by of modern civilization especially industrialization. Also, he expresses his desire of returning to nature. And through characters’ fates especially Chief Bromden who regained his Indian belief and successfully fled from the mental hospital, Ken Kesey illustrates that spiritual sublimation is the way to redeem. That is to say, modern people can get spiritual redemption through positive fighting, belief and returning to nature.