One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Main Characters and Their Development

• Randle Patrick McMurphy - the charismatic and rebellious protagonist who enters the psychiatric hospital to avoid prison. He becomes a symbol of freedom and resistance against the oppressive system embodied by Nurse Ratched. McMurphy inspires other patients to fight for their rights and dignity but ultimately faces tragic consequences for his rebellion.
• Nurse Mildred Ratched - the antagonist who runs the psychiatric hospital with an iron fist. She symbolizes authoritarian power and control, suppressing the patients' will and manipulating them. Her clash with McMurphy becomes the central conflict of the book, highlighting the struggle between individuality and the system.
• Chief Bromden - the narrator and one of the hospital's patients, who pretends to be deaf and mute. His inner world and memories reveal the depth of his trauma and fear of society. Under McMurphy's influence, he gradually gains confidence and decides to escape, symbolizing hope for liberation.
• Billy Bibbit - a young patient with severe psychological issues caused by his mother's overprotection. He suffers from insecurity and fear of women. Under McMurphy's influence, he begins to show independence, but his tragic fate ultimately underscores the cruelty of the system.
• Dale Harding - an educated and intelligent patient who suffers from feelings of inadequacy and marital problems. He becomes one of McMurphy's closest allies, and his development shows how collective resistance can help gain confidence and self-esteem.