<Ul> <Li> Richard Gray, author of A History of American Literature, said that Bromden "supplies" the novel's "vision". Gray explains that Bromden's "eye" "sees the inner truth" and that Bromden "is an outsider, an innocent eye in a way like Huck Finn, but what he sees is far stranger, far more surreal ." Gray explained that Bromden's vision "may not be literally true but it is symbolically so because, to quote Emily Dickinson again,' Much madness is divinest sense ."' </Li> </Ul> <Li> Richard Gray, author of A History of American Literature, said that Bromden "supplies" the novel's "vision". Gray explains that Bromden's "eye" "sees the inner truth" and that Bromden "is an outsider, an innocent eye in a way like Huck Finn, but what he sees is far stranger, far more surreal ." Gray explained that Bromden's vision "may not be literally true but it is symbolically so because, to quote Emily Dickinson again,' Much madness is divinest sense ."' </Li> <Ul> <Li> Nurse Mildred Ratched (also known as "Big Nurse"): The tyrannical head nurse of the mental institution, who exercises near - total control over those in her care, including her subordinates . She will not hesitate to restrict her patients' access to medication, amenities, and basic human necessities if it suits her whims . Her informant is the timid Billy Bibbit, whom she coerces into divulging the unit's secrets by threatening to complain about him to his mother . McMurphy's fun - loving, rebellious presence in Ratched's institution is a constant annoyance, as neither threats nor punishment nor shock therapy will stop him or the patients under his sway . Eventually, after McMurphy nearly chokes her to death in a fit of rage, Nurse Ratched has him lobotomized . However, the damage has already been done, and Nurse Ratched's rule is broken after McMurphy's attack leaves her nearly unable to speak, which renders her unable to intimidate her patients, subordinates and superiors . </Li> <Li> The "Black Boys" Washington, Williams and Warren: Three black men who work as aides in the ward . Williams is a dwarf, his growth stunted after witnessing his mother being raped by white men . The Chief says Nurse Ratched hired them for their sadistic nature . </Li> <Li> Dr. John Spivey: The ward doctor . Nurse Ratched drove off other doctors, but she kept Spivey because he always did as he was told . Harding suggests that the nurse could threaten to expose him as a drug addict if he stood up to her . McMurphy's rebellion inspires him to stand up to Nurse Ratched . </Li> <Li> Nurse Pilbow: The young night nurse . Her face, neck and chest are stained with a profound birthmark . She is a devout Catholic and has fear of sinning . She blames the patients for infecting her with their evil and takes it out on them . </Li> <Li> Mr. Turkle: An elderly African American aide who works the late shift in the ward . He agrees to allow McMurphy to host a party and sneak in prostitutes one night . </Li> <Li> The Japanese Nurse: The nurse in charge of the upstairs disturbed ward, for violent and unmanageable patients . She is kindly and openly opposed to Nurse Ratched's methods . </Li> </Ul> <Li> Nurse Mildred Ratched (also known as "Big Nurse"): The tyrannical head nurse of the mental institution, who exercises near - total control over those in her care, including her subordinates . She will not hesitate to restrict her patients' access to medication, amenities, and basic human necessities if it suits her whims . Her informant is the timid Billy Bibbit, whom she coerces into divulging the unit's secrets by threatening to complain about him to his mother . McMurphy's fun - loving, rebellious presence in Ratched's institution is a constant annoyance, as neither threats nor punishment nor shock therapy will stop him or the patients under his sway . Eventually, after McMurphy nearly chokes her to death in a fit of rage, Nurse Ratched has him lobotomized . However, the damage has already been done, and Nurse Ratched's rule is broken after McMurphy's attack leaves her nearly unable to speak, which renders her unable to intimidate her patients, subordinates and superiors . </Li>

When is one flew over the cuckoos nest set