Main

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Characters
Study Guide
Themes Pt. 1
Themes Pt. 2
Poem
Links
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest


You've never met anyone like RANDLE PATRICK McMURPHY...
the hero of KEN KESEY'S
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST

HE's a boisterous, brawling, fun-loving rebel who
swaggers into the ward of a mental hospital and takes over...

HE's a lusty, profane, life-loving fighter who rallies the other
patients around him by challenging the dictatorship of
Big Nurse. He promotes gamlbing in the ward, smuggles in
wine and women. At every turn, he openly defies her rule.

The contest starts as sport (with McMurphy taking bets on the outcome) but soon it develops into a grim struggle for
the minds and hearts of the men, into an all-out war
between two relentless opponents: Big Nurse, back by the
full power of authority...McMurphy, who has only
his own indomitable will.