Chief Bromden had a low self-esteem because he had to deal with racism throughout his life, especially during his childhood years, and consequently made him weak. Society never treated him with the respect he deserved which made him want to hide from the “combine” by acting deaf and dumb. He has acted deaf and dumb so well that no one suspects it is an act, until McMurphy arrives. The admission of McMurphy to the institution was a catalyst for his recovery.

Bromden grew up in a small fishing village in Columbia. He had to deal with racism from ‘white’ strangers outside the tribe who were overlooking the village.

“Can you imagine people wanting to live like this?”

“He bends towards me and squints and lifts his moustache up to his nose again like it is me stinking instead of the fish.”

When the strangers finished looking at the village, Bromden felt as if they had ignored him and this made him feel low.

“They get back in the car and drive away, with me standing there wondering if they ever saw me.”

This continued throughout his life in the war where people treated him w

Chief jumps out the window and escapes and plans to go back to Columbia.

Chief had regained his self-esteem and thought it was time to leave the institution. He picks up the control panel and swings it through the window, just as he had promised McMurphy.

Chief is the tallest man in the ward and yet to him, he feels like he is the smallest. This is because he does not have the courage to do anything, making him feel small. He sees power in terms of exaggerating size.

“…Then spun and let the momentum carry the panel through the screen and window…”

“…He wasn’t fooled for one minute by my deaf and dumb act;”

ith no respect and acted as if he was dumb.

Some topics in this essay:
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