The group meetings that follow after have tension in the air because of McMurphy's instigation. Initially, pecking parties break out between the men as a result of Nurse Ratched antagonizing the men. These arguments cease after McMurphy shares his insight on "the dirty truth" (Kesey 55). In conclusion, the meetings go from patient versus patient to staff versus patient. Before the protagonist's arrival, the mentality of the ward resembles that of rabbits and wolves. The staff (wolves) intimidated the men (rabbits) into a physical and mental prison. McMurphy changes the game by turning the rabbits into men who obtain the courage to fight for the right to their lives. .
In addition, McMurphy contributes to the men's liberation through the deaths of Billy and Cheswick. Though these characters fall to their demise, the message symbolized through their deaths represents the conquering of the combine. Despite what some may argue, the suicides and deaths represent the new found freedom the patients have discovered. Living at the ward meant subjecting themselves to painful disciplinary acts, however, the patients escape the future abuse by dying. Using Billy's death as a specific example, "there can be no restoration of the old order: her (Nurse Ratched) authority is lost as irrevocably as Billy's virginity" meaning that the death of a patient insinuates the loss of power over people (Lupack 91). McMurphy's rebellious attitude and carefree actions sparked a certain confidence in the Acutes, allowing them to rise against the staff. This calling to action leads to the men disobeying orders. One can infer that McMurphy caused the deaths because of the effect of his teachings, but the connotation is not negative. The deaths simply released the men's souls from the ward, relieving the troubled minds.
Furthermore, McMurphy wins another specific battle: the battle of the sexes. In a male dominant ward, the Big Nurse uses cold, machine-like mannerisms to initiate fear within the ward.
