One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

how does McMurphy's sexualized attack on nurse Ratched ruin her authority forever?

One flew over the cuckoos nest

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The younger nurse suggests that a significant motivation for Ratched’s behavior is the fact that she is a bitter, old spinster and has taken out her frustrations on the men on the ward. This point returns to the contrast between the sexuality of McMurphy and the repression of Nurse Ratched. The suggestion is that if Nurse Ratched were sexually satisfied, or at least satisfied with her personal life, she would allow greater freedom on her ward.

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http://www.gradesaver.com/one-flew-over-the-cuckoos-nest/study-guide/section7/