Randal Patrick McMurphy and Chief Bromden’s friendship in Ken Kesey’s poignant novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, is an unlikely one, as they are polar opposite figures. McMurphy is in the mental hospital as a ruse (to escape prison punishment) and Chief is (by all evidence) a tortured, deaf-mute figure. At first glance, the strong, silent, and ignorant Chief is a foil for the clever and galvanizing character of McMurphy. Nevertheless, the two slowly develop a camaraderie as hospital inpatients, as each offers something that the other needs.
McMurphy learns Chief’s secret (that he is not really deaf) when they are given beds next to one another and Murphy talks to Chief (explaining that the nurse is coming). Quite consequentially, however, he does not reveal the Chief’s secret. This secret becomes the source of a meaningful bond between the two characters. Chief profits from McMurphy’s charisma and cunning while McMurphy profits from Chief’s quiet reserve. McMurphy realizes that Chief’s secret faculties will be useful to manipulate the other residents and staff.
The initial bond of friendship between the two was forged when McMurphy organized a vote in order to be able to watch the World Series in the hospital. Chief’s vote is the deciding vote in favor of watching the game, which pleases McMurphy (and ingratiates Chief with him), and also spites Ms. Ratched.
McMurphy and Chief’s attraction to each other will prove entirely justified; Chief ultimately spares McMurphy the humility of living as a lobotomized vegetable at the mercy of the hospital staff by smothering him. Thereafter, Chief lifts a control panel (inspired by McMurphy’s attempt to do the same earlier in the novel) and escapes to find freedom outside of the hospital.
Each character derives strength—and ultimately salvation—from the other. The two find their counterpart in one another, as each sees what he himself lacks.
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