One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest The significance of the title can be interpreted in this quote. The story is about a struggle in a psychiatric ward, where many “cuckoos” reside, “Ting. Tingle, tingle, tremble toes, she’s a good fisherman, catches hens, puts ‘em in pens… wire blier, limber lock, three geese inna flock… one flew east, one flew west, one flew over the cuckoo’s nest… O-U-T spells out… goose swoops down and plucks you out.” This is where the title comes from, the cuckoo’s nest being the psychiatric ward and McMurphy being the goose who plucks “you” out. The author of this book is Ken Kesey, also author of Demon Box and Sometimes a …show more content…

Chief Bromden- Pretending to be deaf and dumb for over sixteen years, the Chief is the narrator of the novel. His observations and input allow you to get to know the characters of the book. Throughout his stay in the ward, he was been sweeping his broom through secret staff meetings, hearing their secrets because they think he is deaf. It is not until McMurphy’s arrival that he eventually speaks. Harding- The most intelligent patient on the ward, Harding offers the most insight on the way things work. He committed himself because of his shame towards himself. He is an obvious intellect who helps McMurphy and the reader understand the reasons behind the Combine. Minor Characters Billy Bibbit- a stuttering thirty-year-old man, who has yet to break free of his mother. Eventually slits his throat. Dr. Spivey- the doctor on the ward, he is completely controlled by the Big Nurse. The Black Boys- the lackeys of the Big Nurse, they are hired for their extreme hate towards the patients and are cruel to them every chance they get. Martini- a child-like patient who often hallucinates. Candy- a whore who is a friend of McMurphy’s. She is the one who took Billy’s virginity. Cheswick- drowned himself when McMurphy stopped sticking up for the patients. The author uses the Chief to illustrate his ideas to the reader.