Comparison Of Animal Rights In One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

The definition of insane in today’s world is embedded with controversy by our society. As an active member of society, Ken Kesey writes his own opinion of insanity in his successful novel, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest by subtly incorporating his his thoughts towards the topic through dialogue between characters, the narrators comments, and much more. Kesey begins his novel by introducing an outspoken man named Randle Patrick McMurphy who enters the mental hospital where the narrator, Chief Bromden , resides and creates a lasting effect on his fellow patients by allowing them to think beyond societies’ strict ideology and how to gradually immerse themselves with their individuality. Much like Kesey’s opinion, today’s world is comprised of

In terms of animal rights, “Just as it would be morally inconceivable to argue that infants or people with developmental disabilities do not deserve basic rights, it is illogical, supporters maintain, to deny animals those same rights” ("Do animals have rights similar to those of humans?"). Not all humans are perfect and are capable to fully comprehend and understand their rights, but they are still given rights, as should animals since they share similar characteristics. If humans who have the same understanding as an animal about their rights and guaranteed them there is no reason as to why animals should not be protected as well. In a discussion between McMurphy and Harding, Harding replies, "You 're right again. You 're becoming very sophisticated in the jargon. Yes; chopping away the brain. Frontal-lobe castration. I guess if she can 't cut below the belt she 'll do it above the eyes."(Kesey 191). The characters in One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest have mental disabilities that could possibly impede their understanding of their rights, but they had unalienable rights and yet were still treated unfairly. If humans are guaranteed their rights and still treated cruelly, one could imagine the everyday occurrences that animals must suffer and their conditions due to their lack of

For example, in regards to the American Welfare Act also known as AWA, “President George W. Bush (R, 2001–09) signs a measure codifying the exclusion of rats, mice, and birds from the protections of the AWA” (“ Chronology: Animal Rights. ”). The American Welfare Act was made ensure the fair treatment of animals used for scientific research. Although the act is better than nothing, many animals are excluded from the act which leaves them to suffer unjustly and without any legal protection. The well known animal activist group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has noted that, “Cruel and deadly toxicity tests are also conducted as part of massive regulatory testing programs that are often funded by U.S. taxpayers ' money. The Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Toxicology Program, and the Department of Agriculture are just a few…” (“ PETA Makes Its Case Against Animal Testing. ” ) Many animals are being cruelly tested with harsh chemicals by government agencies with taxpayer money. The fact that many taxpayers unknowingly contribute to the cruel treatment of animals shows how insane society