On the bottom of page 57 it seems Harding loses control his hands, "Harding flinches, and I see his hands begin to creep out from between his knees like white spiders from between two moss covered tree limbs, up the limbs toward the joining at the trunk." Harding eventually regains control of his hands, but not after they settle with a firm grip on his package. I believe Kesey is saying that unconsciously we cannot control our hands, but once our conscious realizes whats up, we regain composure. This is evident on page 57 and 58 because McMurphey talks about the Big Nurse as being a "ball cutter", and Harding rightfully grabs his to make sure their still there. But when McMurphey brings up the fact of Harding's hands, he regains control. I think Kesey might be making such a big deal out of Harding's hands because he wants to ephasize the point of the Big Nurse being a "ball cutter."
What do you think Kesey is saying through this passage, and why is he making such a big deal about Harding's hands at this particular moment?
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I think Kesey is really emphisizing how important hands play in the way people are seen. This is because hands can show how people are feeling, whether it be nervousness or excitement, and I think Kesey is trying to portray that in this section.
I think it’s important to address the significance of Harding’s hands as they are first described… The reader is introduced to Harding when McMurphy asks for the "Bull Goose Looney" or the leader of the ward’s men. As Bromden describes Harding’s hands, he introduces the defining qualities in Harding’s personality:
"Harding is a flat, nervous man with a face that sometimes makes you think you seen him in the movies, like it's a face too pretty to just be a guy on the street. He's got wide, thin shoulders and he curves them in around his chest when he's trying to hide inside himself. He's got hands so long and white and dainty I think they carved each other out of soap, and sometimes they get loose and glide around in front of him free as two white birds until he notices them and traps them between his knees; it bothers him that he's got pretty hands" (18-19).
Here Harding is described as an introverted and insecure but beautiful man. His hands are described as “birds,” creatures that are lively, and able to “get loose” or free. However, he instantaneously feels that he must cover his hands, or “hide inside himself,” implying that there is an external self in which Harding’s true self hides and that this true self includes those “birds”. The nature of his hands could represent another aspect of man as an animal—a side that is entirely innocent. Harding’s hands are described as "dove hands" (31) and he is described as pale himself, like a dove. Perhaps he represents the bird or the purity and innocence associated with the color white. As doves are a symbol for peace, the dove reference could convey that the natural man has some instincts and impulses that lead to good as well, contrasting with the vulgarity of McMurphy’s natural impulses. During the scene you just mentioned, Harding is suddenly animated by McMurphy’s frankness and freedom of speech, and lets out a long suppressed laugh: “Harding looks around, sees everybody’s watching him, and does his best to laugh… Eee-eee-eee. He can’t stop it. He wrings his hands like a fly and clinches his eyes at the awful sound of that squeaking. But he can’t stop it. It gets higher and higher until finally, with a suck of breath, he lets his face fall into his waiting hands” (60). Inspired by McMurphy’s honesty, the innocent, innate skill of laughing is finally able to emerge in Harding. The laugh, uncontrolled, “gets higher and higher,” almost like an unrestrained bird. However, the laughter, the natural desire, and bit of human joy that Harding is able to experience is truncated by his intake of breath. Perhaps this proves that the fear of expressing natural desires within the ward ultimately prevails against expression…
I think Kesey is showing how hands can completely give away peoples' emotions and thoughts. Sometimes we flinch, like Harding, and this is our portrayal of our inner thoughts coming out before we can control and surpress them. I think Kesey is trying to show us this and prove to us that paying attention to peoples' hands is important.
I perceive the passage differently. I think Harding is able to show his true personality when McMurphy is around. Since McMurphy advocates for individual freedom, Harding is affected by McMurphy that he is able to expose his hands comfortably, which he was ashamed of all the time.
I perceive the passage differently. I think Harding is able to show his true personality when McMurphy is around. Since McMurphy advocates for individual freedom, Harding is affected by McMurphy that he is able to expose his hands comfortably, which he was ashamed of all the time.
i dont know man, this post kinda sucks
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