Accepting responsibility for another’s actions can be an arduous task, as it can continue to burden someone for a prolonged period of time. McMurphy maintained his position as a guardian of the others, for an extensive amount of time, and it reached a point where he had almost complete control over the others, a near omnipotent figure. By orchestrating a sexual encounter between Billy Bibbit and a prostitute, McMurphy places himself in a position where he could direct attention off of himself. He synthesizes a plan that would produce enough embroilment if executed incorrectly, thus making his escape easier. In the event that his plan succeeds, McMurphy would not have to take responsibility for the repercussions. Nevertheless, the plan backfires, “ As she unlocked it and swung it open…the nurse reached out, flicked the light down on Billy, and the girl where they were, blinking up from that mattress on the floor like two owls from a nest” (page 313), and McMurphy must face the ensuing …show more content…
He is later found dead in the doctor’s office, by a means of a self-inflicted sliced throat. While still susceptible to Nurse Ratched’s manipulations, Bibbit kills himself to demonstrate defiance towards her authority and to atone for betraying McMurphy. Consequently, the nurse casts the responsibility of Billy’s death upon McMurphy’s shoulders , “First Charles Cheswick and now Billy Bibbit! I hope you’re finally satisfied. Playing with human lives--gambling with human lives--as if you thought yourself to be a God!” (page 318). Not so long before, McMurphy viewed himself as nearly omnipotent within the ward, but is stripped of his power within a matter of seconds. As a result, he realizes he is still responsible for the other inmates, and physically attacks Nurse Ratched. By doing this, he strips her of her control and power, which symbolically frees the other patients to leave the