Randle Patrick McMurphy A manual laborer, gambler, carnival barker, Korean War hero with a dishonorable discharge, and con man admitted to the ward from Pendelton Prison Farm, diagnosed as a psychotic. Really not insane, he transforms the ward by teaching the other inmates to question arbitrary and repressive authority. Eventually lobotomized after attacking Nurse Ratched, he is killed in his sleep by Chief Bromden.
Nurse Ratched The "Big Nurse," and former Army nurse. She maintains order by exercising absolute authority over the hospital staff and its patients. McMurphy compares her techniques with the "brainwashing" used by the Communists during the Korean conflict.
Chief Bromden A towering man of mixed Native American and white heritage. He is diagnosed as an incurable paranoid-schizophrenic, and pretends to be deaf and mute in order to protect himself from the forces of the Combine, which he believes is a mechanized society intent on usurping freedom and individuality. The Chief is gradually rehabilitated by McMurphy and emerges as the real protagonist of the book at the conclusion. He suffocates McMurphy after Nurse Ratched has him lobotomized and escapes from the hospital.
Dale Harding A college-educated and effeminate man, who is psychologically "castrated" by his sexy wife and Nurse Ratched. Harding is an Acute patient, one who has voluntarily committed himself to the hospital.
Billy Bibbit A 31-year-old man dominated by his mother to the extent that he is still unmarried and a virgin. Bibbit is also a voluntarily committed Acute, despite the fact that his wrists reveal a previous suicide attempt.
Max Taber A rebellious patient whose presence on the ward preceded McMurphy's. He was released from the hospital after being made docile by electroshock therapy.
