One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

by Ken Kesey

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest: Allegory 1 key example

Definition of Allegory

An allegory is a work that conveys a hidden meaning—usually moral, spiritual, or political—through the use of symbolic characters and events. The story of "The Tortoise and The Hare" is... read full definition
An allegory is a work that conveys a hidden meaning—usually moral, spiritual, or political—through the use of symbolic characters and events. The story of "The... read full definition
An allegory is a work that conveys a hidden meaning—usually moral, spiritual, or political—through the use of symbolic characters and... read full definition
Part One
Explanation and Analysis—The Combine:

Kesey represents the power dynamics of post-war, post-industrial American society through the allegory of "the Combine." A combine can refer to an organization of people or corporations working together to advance their aligning interests. It can also refer to a piece of farming equipment that was pivotal to the Industrial Revolution.