One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, by Ken kesey

In the beginning of the first chapter you meet the narrator, Chief Bromden. He has been a patient of mental institution for a very long time. There is only one other person who has been there longer than he has. Chief is a mute, at least everyone thinks he is

" They're out there. Black boys in white suits up before me to commit sex acts in the hall and get it mopped up before I can catch them" (this is the first line of the book)
pg.1

Because this is the first line of the book, the reader automatically understands that the narrator is not sound. Chief Bromden is extremely paranoid because of the staff. He truly believes there is a conspiracy run by the ward to cause as much suffering and frustration as possible to him.

Mr.McMurphy, on the other hand, is a loud and rambunctious newcomer. In every way he is the opposite of Bromden, yet Bromden envies his charisma and personality