1. Nurse Ratched:
* Direct responsibility: Ratched is the one who directly pressures Billy into a state of panic and shame, leading him to take his own life. She uses manipulation and threats to force him to reveal his secret and then exploits his vulnerability. She effectively controls the environment and uses her power to break Billy.
* Indirect responsibility: Ratched creates an atmosphere of fear and oppression in the ward. She fosters a culture of conformity and obedience, leaving patients like Billy feeling trapped and powerless. Her actions contribute to Billy's fragile mental state and his inability to stand up for himself.
2. Billy Bibbit himself:
* Vulnerability: Billy is already struggling with deep-seated insecurities and anxieties. He is easily manipulated and unable to cope with pressure. He has a fear of his own anger and a history of succumbing to authority figures.
* Agency: While he is clearly pressured and manipulated, Billy ultimately chooses to end his own life. He makes a conscious decision to act in a way that he believes will alleviate his suffering, though it comes at a terrible cost.
3. The ward environment:
* Power dynamics: The ward is a microcosm of societal power structures, where those with power (like Ratched) can exploit and control the vulnerable.
* Lack of support: Patients are isolated and discouraged from forming genuine connections. Billy has little support from his fellow patients, and his attempts to connect with them are often thwarted by Ratched.
4. McMurphy:
* Rebellion and liberation: While McMurphy's rebellion brings a sense of freedom to the ward, it also agitates Ratched, leading her to escalate her tactics.
* Indirect influence: McMurphy's rebellion empowers Billy in some ways, but he is not ultimately able to break free from his own fear and anxiety. McMurphy's actions might have indirectly contributed to Billy's vulnerability by challenging the power dynamics that were already in place.
Conclusion:
There is no simple answer to the question of who is to blame for Billy's death. It is a result of a complex interplay of factors, including Ratched's cruelty, Billy's own vulnerabilities, the oppressive ward environment, and the consequences of McMurphy's rebellion.
The novel ultimately challenges the reader to confront the difficult questions about power, vulnerability, and the responsibility we bear for the choices we make, even in the face of immense pressure.