“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” by Ken Kesey (post 4): Proof narrator didn’t identify with mirror-image, because he’s a different-looking alternate personality

In post 3, I noted that when the narrator, Bromden, looked in the mirror, he said the image did not look like him. That suggested multiple personality, but I didn’t know his alternate personality's self-image.

Early in the novel, another character had given an objective description: “I think somebody measured him once at six feet seven; but even if he is big, he’s scared of his own shadow. Just a big deaf Indian” [Native American] (1, p. 22).

Much later in the novel, after McMurphy discovers that Bromden can hear and speak, he encourages Bromden to stand up for himself.

“No,” I told him. “I couldn’t.”

“Couldn’t tell them off? It’s easier than you think.”

“You’re…lot bigger, tougher’n I am,” I mumbled.

“How’s that? I didn’t get you Chief.”

“You are bigger and tougher than I am. You can do it.”

“Me? Are you kidding? Criminy, look at you: you stand a head taller’n any man on the ward. There ain’t a man here you couldn’t turn every way but loose, and that’s a fact!”

“No. I’m way too little. I used to be big, but not no more. You’re twice the size of me.”

“Hoo, boy, you are crazy, aren’t you? The first thing I saw when I came in this place was you sitting over in that chair, big as a damn mountain…” (1, p. 187).

1. Ken Kesey. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest [1962]. New York, Penguin Books, 2007.