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Aaron Meredith Professor McDonald English 107 F 6 December 2000 The Real Criminal The 1975 film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest tells the story of R. P. McMurphy, a cunning nonconformist from the Oregon state prison system who dodges work camp by getting himself sent to a mental hospital for evaluation. Several clashes arise as the film progresses; some are evident, while others remain hidden from the viewer. The most easily recognized conflict is between the rough, rebellious nature of R. P. McMurphy and the slick, syrupy, totalitarian rule of Nurse Mildred Ratched. Arriving at the mental institution, McMurphy is a cocky, laid back, troublemaker who believes that he has outsmarted the system. His first act after he is released from handcuffs is to dance around and kiss the policeman who freed him, in part to taunt the police and in part to show those monitoring him the crazed man that they expect. Despite his initial appearance it quickly becomes evident through his actions in the ward that McMurphy is no less sane than any member of the hospital staff. In his introduction to the ward, he carefully observes his fellow inmates, searching to learn of their personalities and disorders. Between the card