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SumKindaMunster · 51-55, M
The ending was to show that McMurphy's antics and anti authoritarianism had reached even a stoic or catatonic patient like Chief.
We are meant to believe that Chief absorbed McMurphy's world view and killed McMurphy because he believed that's what McMurphy would want instead of being a drooling vegetable.
The final scene where Chief breaks out and leaves shows that he will continue to embody the lessons from McMurphy in his behavior, he is breaking out to get better and get on with his life.
It's a message of hope and inspiration in an otherwise downer ending.
We are meant to believe that Chief absorbed McMurphy's world view and killed McMurphy because he believed that's what McMurphy would want instead of being a drooling vegetable.
The final scene where Chief breaks out and leaves shows that he will continue to embody the lessons from McMurphy in his behavior, he is breaking out to get better and get on with his life.
It's a message of hope and inspiration in an otherwise downer ending.