One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Language and Communication Quotes

Harding believes that he's being totally clear when he talks about his life. But he doesn't realize that no one else can understand what he's saying. And that's the general dynamic of all the relationships in the mental hospital. People can't tell each other what they need or want. It's an all around bummer.

Harding can't talk about his own problems without making them part of some huge commentary about all of humanity. You might think of this as a sort of dodge to keep from feeling vulnerable. If his problems are the problems of all humanity, then Harding never needs to feel like he's alone with his pain. We can also imagine that this conversational tick would get pretty annoying after awhile. The poor guy can't see the trees for the forest (see what we did there?).

Cheswick gets fed up with the other patients always giving Harding a hard time. He tries to stick up for Harding by telling the others they need to listen more. But it's no use. Communication isn't going to happen anytime soon. Maybe that's because Harding isn't getting the help he needs under the Ratched regime.