I LOVE HARDING SO MUCH OMG. I fell in love at the first conversation he has with McMurphy. Hes just so witty and intelligent and UGH. But yeah what do love about Harding? <3
LITERALLY EVERY TIME I REREAD I LOVE HARDING MORE HE’S MY FAVOURITE EVER I JUST AGGGGH
Okay for Harding, I identify a LOT with him. I see him as an INFJ in Myers Briggs terms, which is also my type, but beyond that… I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure genderbent me would probably just be Harding.
His witty counters to Mack. They work so perfectly together (I can link to the OTP post I made about them a while back if you want :|) but I just in general love their chemistry- I find that the way a character interacts with everyone else is the biggest tell on whether I like them or not, and just everything about Harding- his covering for them the night of the party, his playing with words with Mack, the way he almost steps up in a fatherly way alongside Mack (DID YOU KNOW HE CALLS BILLY ‘WILLIAM’ ONCE? ITS PRETTY MUCH THE CUTEST THING) he’s just such a wonderful character.
The little things- he has beautiful hands (ahem. like me.) but he bites his fingernails. He’s anxious, he’s so incredibly intimidated by Vera despite the fact that given the time period, it’s very likely that he’s the one who initiated their relationship (no doubt to cover up his own insecurities). He desperately seeks approval (especially McMurphy’s), and he puts up this front of confidence, defends himself with his wit.
HIS COMING OUT SPEECH (the “shame” one) BREAKS MY HEART EVERY DAMN TIME.
His knowledge that things are going to end, and not well, is heartbreaking and beautiful (“Most merciful God, accept these two poor sinners into your arms. And keep the doors ajar for the coming of the rest of us, because you are witnessing the end, the absolute, irrevocable, fantastic end.”)
He’s so eloquent. I can always tell it’s him who is speaking in a quote, and he has a really great way with words. His idiosyncrasies in speaking are endearing and interesting.
He has the courage to check himself out of the hospital.
I find him really really really easy to write- his headspace is notoriously easy for me to slip into, and that’s why he’s heavily featured in most of the fics I write.
To me, Harding is probably the most underrated character in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s nest. He is the PERFECT counterpart to Mack- his cool intellectual vibe next to the brash bold way that Mack has about him. He’s intelligent, the imagery of him is stunningly beautiful, and he’s a very, very interesting character. Reading his lines carefully, and the parts that involve him, give you a new look into the book as a whole, I think.
