The way I see it, the "Combine" Cheif Broom refers to is his imaginary system of wires, gears, and pulleys that the ward, particularly Nurse Ratched, uses to "harvest" the patients-make them vulnerable and controlled. All of the patients on the ward except for McMurphy are somewhat subdued and have been emasculated by Nurse Ratched. They cannot stand up to Nurse Ratched and would follow her orders to the letter if not for McMurphy. He is outwardly bold, proud, and has a lot of chutzpah. He uses this to defend himself against and/or even undermine the Combine and Nurse Ratched. However, I think McMurphy's nature draws more attention to him than other patients. He's not under the Combine's sphere of influence but he cannot withstand much more. He's committed to the ward and has no choice but to endure as long as he can. It's only a matter of time before he gives up.
Every institution is not a Combine in the way Cheif Broom sees it. Schools and prisons across the country are not trying to "harvest" and "gather" people so they can control them. In some cases it may appear that way or the effects are similar, but the intention of the institution is not to control the individuals as Nurse Ratched does. The intent or plan of many institutions is to benefit those who populate them, mainly schools, hospitals, and mental institutions. Jails are more like the Combine than any other institution in that there is some controlling and subduing, but not to the extent as in the psych ward. At the very least jails are saving the criminals from themselves.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
That's What They Want You to Think
The extreme rules and boundaries set in place in the psych ward must seem a bit outrageous to us, citizens of the "land of the free". But that's what they want you to think (the school system, that is). However, there are several similarities in the ways in which the school and the psych ward are run. First and foremost, there are many, many sets of rules that be must followed. In school it's no iPods, no cell phones, no talking over one another, don't swear, get to class on time, etc. In Nurse Ratched's psych ward it's don't be aggressive, take your medicine, and basically do whatever I (Nurse Ratched) say. The rules are not exactly parallel, but they have the same results.
Rules are the main tool that Nurse Ratched and the school system use to keep control and order. By making a certain list of actions punishable, naturally the students or patients won't do them over and over again. Eventually, like a dog that is taught not to sit on the furniture or a baby who is being potty-trained, the person understands the rule and sees that the benefit of breaking the rule is no longer worth the risk. Therefore, they stop breaking the rule altogether and order is restored or kept. By doing this the leaders can, almost literally, control their inferiors. In Nurse Ratched's case it is much more literal-she has the ability to do to her patients whatever she sees as fit. The principals and teachers in the school have a similar power, but not to the degree that Nurse Ratched does. They can control say, when you go to the bathroom or what you're going to do in class that day. In school, the student does not have any say in their activities that day, unless he/she has a study. And even then there are limitations.
Another tool that both school and the psych ward use is a routine or everyday, constant schedule. This allows for little freedom by the patients and students, which creates more order and less chaos and confusion. If the school day were, just for the sake of argument, a 6-hour block and Mr. Welch came on the speakerphone and made announcements as to when each class finished, or all the blocks were different lengths, or two classes met in the same day, or the length of the school day changed, there would be chaos and unruliness. Nothing could be accomplished because everyone would be out of control. So, in order to keep control, a routine and daily schedule are established. Less freedom in the daily lives of the students and patients means more power and control for the principals and Nurse Ratched.
The school seems to be a psych ward of lesser degree-everything that occurs in the psych ward occurs in the schools, but not on as a large scale. The consequences and offences are smaller, with equally smaller consequences. They are very similar in the way that they are run and operated.
Rules are the main tool that Nurse Ratched and the school system use to keep control and order. By making a certain list of actions punishable, naturally the students or patients won't do them over and over again. Eventually, like a dog that is taught not to sit on the furniture or a baby who is being potty-trained, the person understands the rule and sees that the benefit of breaking the rule is no longer worth the risk. Therefore, they stop breaking the rule altogether and order is restored or kept. By doing this the leaders can, almost literally, control their inferiors. In Nurse Ratched's case it is much more literal-she has the ability to do to her patients whatever she sees as fit. The principals and teachers in the school have a similar power, but not to the degree that Nurse Ratched does. They can control say, when you go to the bathroom or what you're going to do in class that day. In school, the student does not have any say in their activities that day, unless he/she has a study. And even then there are limitations.
Another tool that both school and the psych ward use is a routine or everyday, constant schedule. This allows for little freedom by the patients and students, which creates more order and less chaos and confusion. If the school day were, just for the sake of argument, a 6-hour block and Mr. Welch came on the speakerphone and made announcements as to when each class finished, or all the blocks were different lengths, or two classes met in the same day, or the length of the school day changed, there would be chaos and unruliness. Nothing could be accomplished because everyone would be out of control. So, in order to keep control, a routine and daily schedule are established. Less freedom in the daily lives of the students and patients means more power and control for the principals and Nurse Ratched.
The school seems to be a psych ward of lesser degree-everything that occurs in the psych ward occurs in the schools, but not on as a large scale. The consequences and offences are smaller, with equally smaller consequences. They are very similar in the way that they are run and operated.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Time and Time Again
Medicine and surgery have always been a topic of discussion. Being able to cure illnesses and save those who have been injured or maimed has always been and always will be a desired ability. Hundreds, maybe thousands of professions have developed in the area of medicine, from researchers to developers to doctors. In modern medicine, risks and sacrifices have been made in order to further advance the technology and various medical procedures. These little bumps on the road are often controversial and can lose the best interest of the patient. The interest of the patient is the primary objective of anyone in the medical field, and today's doctors do not always make the right decision that will most benefit the patient.
A doctor may lose his patients best interest when he becomes too focused on a goal or objective that requires an immense amount of work to reach. Enveloped by this goal, the doctor or scientist loses sight of what is right in front of him: the patient, the sick person. The only actual example of this circumstance is Walter Freeman, the Lobotomist. Being driven to achieve is normally an extremely good virtue, and it is normal in the journey to success that some things are lost and others are gained. But when that one thing is the well-being of a patient, it can be catastrophic.
Walter Freeman wanted to be a revolutionary of the medical field. Unfortunately, his way of doing so involved making a risky and not always successful procedure commonplace and famous. The lobotomy did change some lives for the better, but many other lives it destroyed or tarnished. Freeman was the doctor that made the unnecessary sacrifices and received deserved criticism for it. He proves that the doctor does not always have the patient's best interests in mind. Though unfortunate, this will always be the case.
A doctor may lose his patients best interest when he becomes too focused on a goal or objective that requires an immense amount of work to reach. Enveloped by this goal, the doctor or scientist loses sight of what is right in front of him: the patient, the sick person. The only actual example of this circumstance is Walter Freeman, the Lobotomist. Being driven to achieve is normally an extremely good virtue, and it is normal in the journey to success that some things are lost and others are gained. But when that one thing is the well-being of a patient, it can be catastrophic.
Walter Freeman wanted to be a revolutionary of the medical field. Unfortunately, his way of doing so involved making a risky and not always successful procedure commonplace and famous. The lobotomy did change some lives for the better, but many other lives it destroyed or tarnished. Freeman was the doctor that made the unnecessary sacrifices and received deserved criticism for it. He proves that the doctor does not always have the patient's best interests in mind. Though unfortunate, this will always be the case.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Movies Dawg, Movies
Movies are a unique thing that would cause the world to fall apart if they didn't exist. Everyone has seen a movie before, but it's rather hard to pick a favorite, or even a Top 5. I was trying to make my list perfect in class, but then I'd hear another great movie and scribble it in. The movies that I really like are either made really well (The Dark Knight, Forrest Gump, Back to the Future, Gladiator), have a completely new idea / something that's never been in a movie before (Inception, Shutter Island, Transformers), are just classic (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars), or are a good quality comedy (Due Date, The Hangover, Superbad, Super Troopers, Forgetting Sarah Marshall).
I despise movies that are wicked predictable or have already been made. Like Fast and the Furious. Three movies, same thing happens every time. Or like the high school musical movies? So predictable and corny and awful, just awful. Another group of terrible movies are the romantic comedies and/or family comedies. Some of them are great, don't get me wrong. But there's just so many of them. I don't understand why they keep making the same movie over and over and over and over again.
I honestly cannot pick what my favorite movie is. There's a constantly changing Top 5 or so, but number 1? That's a force.
I despise movies that are wicked predictable or have already been made. Like Fast and the Furious. Three movies, same thing happens every time. Or like the high school musical movies? So predictable and corny and awful, just awful. Another group of terrible movies are the romantic comedies and/or family comedies. Some of them are great, don't get me wrong. But there's just so many of them. I don't understand why they keep making the same movie over and over and over and over again.
I honestly cannot pick what my favorite movie is. There's a constantly changing Top 5 or so, but number 1? That's a force.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Themes in DoaS
Death of a Salesman has quite the array of themes, mostly due to the extremely complex character of Willy. The American Dream is very present in this play, shown, so far, by Ben and Willy. Ben perfectly embodies the American Dream; he walked into the jungle and came out a man. In other words, he conquered his own destiny and took control of his life. Willy, on the other hand, was unable to grasp his career and really succeed, just like Biff.
The theme of materialism or that a man's worth is determined by his paycheck or net worth also appears everal times in the play. The broken things around the house must be fixed, which costs money. Money that Willy does not have, ergo he cannot provide for his family so his worth is very low. Money certainly plays a role in the world, but its not the only thing. A person's personality is the most important factor in determining his or her worth as a person, not how much money they make.
Finally, the neverending hunt for true love is yet another theme in the play. Willy searches for it both in Linda and in his mysterious mistress, though I don't think he knows which he loves more. Linda loves Willy like he won't be there tomorrow, which becomes true by the end of the book. Happy yearns for a steady woman, but up to now hasn't been able to and shows no sign of improving. Overall, the love in the Loman family is scattered and unorganized, but its there.
The theme of materialism or that a man's worth is determined by his paycheck or net worth also appears everal times in the play. The broken things around the house must be fixed, which costs money. Money that Willy does not have, ergo he cannot provide for his family so his worth is very low. Money certainly plays a role in the world, but its not the only thing. A person's personality is the most important factor in determining his or her worth as a person, not how much money they make.
Finally, the neverending hunt for true love is yet another theme in the play. Willy searches for it both in Linda and in his mysterious mistress, though I don't think he knows which he loves more. Linda loves Willy like he won't be there tomorrow, which becomes true by the end of the book. Happy yearns for a steady woman, but up to now hasn't been able to and shows no sign of improving. Overall, the love in the Loman family is scattered and unorganized, but its there.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Death of a Salesman Part One
Willy, the main character in Death of a Salesman, is quite an odd fellow. Withered with age, he has become delirious and borderline insane. Nonetheless, he tries to raise his two sons in the way that he sees fit: with respect and ambition. Values such as honesty, respect, and hard-work are some of the main teachings that Willy attempts to instill in Biff and Happy. Most of all, he proclaims likability. Willy says that a person who is smart and well rounded can achieve nothing if they are not well-liked by those around him-customers, bosses, colleagues, friends, etc. If a man can get people to like him, he can get them to do anything.
Willy, although a solid father, has grown old and his mind has drastically slowed down as he aged. He constantly contradicts himself when he talks with Linda. Not just on one subject, but over many-the Chevy, his own likability, and Biff. These contradictions show that either Willy has gone completely insane or his mind quickly changes from one idea to another without any recollection of what just happened. Either way, it's quite difficult to understand or follow him. Linda, Willy's wife, does an amazing job supporting Willy. She always helps him and endures through his yelling. She comes off as eager to help and very supportive and strong. Without her or another woman like her, Willy would have fallen apart long ago.
Willy, although a solid father, has grown old and his mind has drastically slowed down as he aged. He constantly contradicts himself when he talks with Linda. Not just on one subject, but over many-the Chevy, his own likability, and Biff. These contradictions show that either Willy has gone completely insane or his mind quickly changes from one idea to another without any recollection of what just happened. Either way, it's quite difficult to understand or follow him. Linda, Willy's wife, does an amazing job supporting Willy. She always helps him and endures through his yelling. She comes off as eager to help and very supportive and strong. Without her or another woman like her, Willy would have fallen apart long ago.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Lollypop, lollypop, oh lolly lolly lolly lollypop!
Halloween is coming up, and you all know what that means. I'm getting dressed up as some random celebirty or well known figure, go knocking on peopls doors, and they have to give me candy. What better holiday could there be, besides Christmas? Which stands atop the holiday list simply due to the fact that you can pretty much tell people what to get you and its just an amazing feeling when you get a gift. Back to Halloween.
Considering how weird Halloween already is, there is one thing that seems extra-weird. For some reason some girls see it as an opportunity to wear whatever they want-aka the short and skin-bearing costumes. I guess if you want to dress up like its fine and I'm not against it but it just seems odd that some girls would decide to take it that way. I mean at least they don't go trick or treating with it on or in public, usually those types of costumes are in the parties, which is fine.
My final thought on Halloween would be: why is it on a Sunday. That ruins the night for anyone and everyone who had any kind of plans for after 11:00. The US government should just bump everything back a day so Halloween is on Saturday. Everybody would be happy. More candy = happier kids = happier parents. What could possibly be a problem?
Considering how weird Halloween already is, there is one thing that seems extra-weird. For some reason some girls see it as an opportunity to wear whatever they want-aka the short and skin-bearing costumes. I guess if you want to dress up like its fine and I'm not against it but it just seems odd that some girls would decide to take it that way. I mean at least they don't go trick or treating with it on or in public, usually those types of costumes are in the parties, which is fine.
My final thought on Halloween would be: why is it on a Sunday. That ruins the night for anyone and everyone who had any kind of plans for after 11:00. The US government should just bump everything back a day so Halloween is on Saturday. Everybody would be happy. More candy = happier kids = happier parents. What could possibly be a problem?
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