One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
by Ken Kesey

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

Definition of Paradox

A paradox is a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel of truth or reason. Oscar Wilde's famous declaration that "Life is... read full definition
A paradox is a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel of truth or reason. Oscar... read full definition
A paradox is a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel... read full definition

Key Examples in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Part One
Explanation and Analysis—Truth and Delusion:

Chief Bromden is a self-declared unreliable narrator. In Part One, he presents himself, paradoxically, as a narrator who might get facts wrong but not the broader truth:

I been silent so long now it’s gonna roar out of me like floodwaters and you think the guy telling this is ranting and raving my God; you think this is too horrible to have really happened, this is too awful to be the truth! But, please. It’s still hard for me to have a clear mind thinking on it. But it’s the truth even if it didn’t happen.