Because he is the narrator, the reader knows more about Chief than any of the novel’s other characters. The book takes its title from a nursery rhyme Chief learned from his Native American grandmother. His heritage aligns Chief with the natural world, a world that his white mother conspired to […]

Read more Character Analysis Chief Bromden

In literary terms, Nurse Ratched is a flat character, which means she encounters no changes whatsoever throughout the book. She begins as a scheming, manipulative agent of the Combine and remains so at the novel’s conclusion. Her depiction resembles the villains of comic books and one-reel film serials in that […]

Read more Character Analysis Nurse Ratched

Randle Patrick McMurphy is a red-haired, wild American of Irish descent. He unself-consciously engages in brawling, gambling, chicanery, and exercising his carnal nature. His primitive inclinations mark him as an iconoclast in a world that increasingly values conformity. His anti-authoritarian attitude has already caused him a dishonorable discharge from the […]

Read more Character Analysis Randle Patrick McMurphy

Summary Nurse Ratched arrives and discovers that Bibbit and Starr have had sex. Bibbit blames Starr, the other patients for teasing him and, finally, McMurphy for his actions. Ratched threatens to tell Bibbit’s mother and sends him to wait in Doctor Spivey’s office where he commits suicide by cutting his […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part 4: I’ve Given What Happened Next

Summary McMurphy is given three more electroshock treatments, but his rebellious behavior continues while he is assigned to the Disturbed Ward. He declares that the treatments serve to recharge his batteries. He even goes so far as to pinch Ratched’s behind. Chief recognizes, however, that McMurphy’s stoicism falters whenever he […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part 4: There Had Been Times

Summary McMurphy apologizes to Chief for getting him involved in the fight as the two are led to electroshock therapy. Alluding to his stay in a Chinese prison camp in the Korean War, McMurphy refuses to cooperate with Ratched to prevent the electroshock. Emulating the crucifixion, McMurphy lies down on […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part 4: Up on Disturbed

Summary The fourth and final section of this novel depicts the final showdown between Randle Patrick McMurphy and Nurse Ratched. This part begins with Chief telling the reader that Ratched began planning a counterattack on McMurphy while he and the group were on their fishing excursion. Chief somewhat omnisciently relates […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part 4: The Big Nurse

Summary The day of the fishing trip, Chief refuses to sweep the floor for the African-American aides. McMurphy enlists Rub-a-Dub George, a cleanliness-obsessed Swedish sailor and fisherman, in the crew. When Candy Starr appears without her friend to pick up the patients for their excursion, Nurse Ratched announces that they […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part 3: Two Whores

Summary The third section of this novel begins with Chief recognizing that McMurphy’s behavior also has infected Doctor Spivey. Spivey stands up to Ratched when she questions the wisdom of allowing the patients to play basketball on the ward. The relationship between Ratched and McMurphy has become marked by a […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part 3: After That

Summary At the next group meeting, Ratched, feeling she now has the upper hand, tells the group that they will be punished for their rebellious behavior from three weeks ago. Telling them that the punishment is for their own good, she has decided to deny the use of the tub […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Crossing the Grounds