In One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Kesey seems to have developed an environment in which the new inmate, McMurphy, who intends to outsmart Nurse Ratched, is the hero of the story (though an antihero). His rebellion is new to those in the ward--according to Bromden, his laugh is the first that they have heard in years--and they respond first with some sort of reluctance for even listening to him. Nurse Ratched, who is the villain of the novel, has practically reigned over them with complete control for many years, and they know her power and her punishments. McMurphy suggests to Harding that they be rude to her at the next meeting, and Harding replies (starting a whole new conversation) that she is too powerful and too abusive to allow such a thing to happen.
McMurphy's rebellion is what makes him an antihero--he doesn't do what is morally right, but his actions of attempting to outsmart the Big Nurse are justified through her cruel treatment to him and the other patients.
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