Original Soliloquy

This soliloquy is written from Chief’s perspective as he is hiding in the mop closet from the black boys because he doesn’t want to be shaved. In conjunction with this instantaneous fear he has while hiding it is also an interpretation of his perception of the physiological institution, where he is a patient, and how it operates. This encapsulates his belief that the hospital runs as a machine with technicians and robots assigned to the job of fixing or confining 'flawed machinery' by means of oppression or forced conformity: “he’s just another robot for the Combine and might be better off as a failure” (Kesey 14)." As Chief acknowledges in the book, he sees himself as one they have deemed irreparable, flawed machinery with no hope of being fixed: “Chronics are divided into Walkers like me…the Chronics are— or most of us— are machines with flaws inside us that can’t be repaired” (Kesey 13). This disparity along with the disparity Chief feels while hiding in the mop closet so as not to be shaved by the black boys is an emotion Chief seeks refuge from in his memories: “…I try to place my thoughts in the past and hide there” (Kesey 6). Details about Chief’s learned behaviors that he uses to go unnoticed are also incorporated in this soliloquy.