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Description

An inmate of a mental institution tries to find the freedom and independence denied him in the outside world.

Summary

In the story of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey, the narration is done by one of the patients, Chief "Broom" Bromden. His nickname is Broom because he also serves as the janitor for the ward. He is portrayed as a gentle giant of a man, and he has pretended to be deaf-mute and dumb... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Cast of Characters/Important People

  • Chief Bromden "Broom": Nick-named Chief Broom because his sole job is being the janitor of the ward, Bromden pretends to be deaf and dumb throughout the book, fooling everyone except R.P. McMurphy.
  • Randle McMurphy: The main character of the novel, he swaggers into the world of the mental hospital and tries to bring the patients out of the fear for the Big Nurse.
  • Big Nurse: The antagonist of the book; she's the authority figure of the book and tries to bend her patients to fit what society thinks is "right".

Memorable Quotes

  • “"… you think this is too horrible to be the truth to have really happened, this is too awful to be the truth! But, please. It’s still hard for me to have clear mind thinking on it. But it’s the truth, even if it didn’t happen."”
    Cheif Bromden
  • “"Just that. Get her goat. Bug her till she comes apart at those neat little seams, and shows, just one time, that she ain't so unbeatable as you think. One week. I'll let you be the judge whether I win or not."”
    Randall Patrick McMurphy
  • “"The nurse on the ward tells me she's curing the arm in secret. Yeah, man, she says if I go easy on that arm, don't exert it or nothing, she'll take the cast off and I can get back with the ball club."”
    The Lifeguard

First Sentence

They're out there.

Authors & Contributors

  1. Ken Kesey (Author)

Other Contributors:

  1. John Clark Pratt
 

Books with Additional Background Information

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