Introduction in the Book

During the introduction in the book there is much contemplation about the government and mental institutions during the 1950's, 60's, and 70's. It talks about different books written, besides One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in these times. Many authors thought that mental institutions were good for the general public, to have unstable or different people off of the streets. Other authors thought that it was all a scam to assert the power of others, like mental health professionals. Some thought it was just a way to conform people. It says in the book, while Ken Kesey was working a graveyard shift at the Menlo Park Veterans Hospital he began to consider "wether madness really meant the common practice conforming to a mindless system or the attempt to escape from such a system altogether." (pg x, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Ken Kesey) The introduction talks about how the government does tests using acid, mescaline, and other hallucinogenic drugs, and how Kesey actually participated. Kesey used his experiences to write his book. The rest of the introduction talks about different peoples views on Kesey's characters and interpretations, like Bromdon and his views on McMurphy, the Big Nurse or society. It gives us an insight on how the book will be, and different ways to interpret it.