In the novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, written by Ken Kesey, the patients in a mental institution were firmly controlled by Nurse Ratched, the head of the ward. ... The nurse lost the power she has over the patients, whom she had taken pleasure in controlling. Although the Big Nurse accused McMurphy of playing with human lives as though he was God, she was actually the one impersonating God. ... She also acted very sympathetic when one of the patients had a problem, and she simply laid a comforting hand on his arm. ... The Big Nurse was a character to be reckoned with. ...

• Word Count: 1497
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School