Today is the first in a three part blogfest, hosted by E.R. King and Deana Barnhart.
Today we are to name a supporting character for the Killer Fiction Blogfest . October 26, list your favorite literary protagonist and the final entry on October 28, your favorite literary antagonist. There you have it, the rules. So get busy writing
My entry is on the verge of being late. I am just getting some relief from a migraine headache that I has been pretty "killer" itself. The good news is that it is going away & it is the first I have suffered in over two months ( a record for me). Is is a coincidence that it follows a slumber party weekend (not just one night) for my ten year old son's birthday? Twelve (12) ten year old boys together for an entire weekend, never a good idea.
My selection for the supporting character could just as easily be labeled the antagonist, but technically she is a supporting character so I am going with her.
She is not scary in the Halloween or Friday the 13th kind of way, but this is who first came to my mind when I first blogged about this blogfest,
Nurse Mildred Ratched:
Nurse
Ratched is as horrifying to me today as she was in 1984, when I first
read Ken Kessey's 1962 novel, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. The
Novel's characters were based on real life individuals whom Kesey,
met while working at the V.A.
Even
her name Ratched, sounding like Wretched is symbolic. She enters the
novel and the psychiatric hospital ward, “with gust of cold". Nurse
Ratched is in complete control over every aspect of the ward, but not
as much over her own emotions. In the first few pages we see her show
her hideous self to Bromden and the aides, only to quickly regain
her, “doll like composure” before any patient catches a glimpse.
Nurse
Mildred Ratched uses the same flat and emotionless voice to order
patients to take the meds or turn off the world series as she does to
order a lobotomy for McMurphy.
What
makes Nurse Ratched truly frightening is her ability to use her false
self to gain control over the weak. Without ever being aware of the
oppression, the quiet & docile slowly become weakened &
gradually are subsumed. Nurse Wratched represents to me the ability,
through dishonesty to suck the life out of of another.
Looking forward to reading everyones entries. Mine will be spookier as the challenge continues...
Fantastic, creepy choice! I can't wait to see who you bring us next.
ReplyDeleteWow, Nurse Ratched is a scary one.
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel better Melissa
Oh yes. I never would have thought of her, but now I'm sitting here nodding :-)
ReplyDeleteWow I didn't ever think of her name, but it's true. She really is creepy.
ReplyDeleteThere's someone about someone who does evil who doesn't SEEM evil. They are the ones to fear! GREAT pick!
ReplyDeleteI meant "something" about someone. Grr...
ReplyDeleteI just watched Cukoo's Nest recently and can't believe how well it held up. Nurse Ratched is as awful as ever.
ReplyDeleteThanks. My migraine is gone, but I am still dragging. Hopefully by tomorrow I will be back to m old self
ReplyDeleteNurse Ratched is a fantastic choice. She adds tension to every scene just by appearing! Without her we would have less sympathy McMurphy. She makes the story work.
ReplyDeleteOh, how I hate that nurse. Evil that masquerades as normal is one of the worst kinds. I think that was a great choice.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nancy. I agree that evil that masqurades as normal is the worst kind. Thanks for visiting
ReplyDeleteI agree, Angela. I never really though about it that way. I mean McMurphy was a criminal and we really would not have had much sympathy for him if not for the actions ot Nurse Ratched. Thank you for visiting
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Gail. I have not watched the movie in several years. I think I will watch it again soon.
ReplyDeleteMelissa
I agree. Oh an I love your eveil stepsister choice. How original
ReplyDeleteShe is creepy. Thanks for visiting, Erin
ReplyDeleteMelissa
Thank you for visiting, Sarah
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen. I am not running at full speed this week. I am not feeling well, but I am off to read you your selcection and everyone else who participated in this fun event.
ReplyDeleteMelissa
I know of her - haven't read or seen the movies with her, and just that bit of information is enough to royally creep me out. Great choice.
ReplyDelete