"One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest" is a novel by Ken Kesey published in 1962, later adapted into a highly acclaimed film directed by Miloš Forman in 1975. While both the book and the movie offer compelling narratives about the struggle for power and autonomy within the confines of a mental institution, there are several notable differences between the two mediums. 1. Point of View: The most significant difference is the narrative perspective. Kesey's novel is narrated by Chief Bromden, a patient at the Oregon psychiatric hospital, which gives readers a unique lens into the story, filled with hallucinatory insights into the workings of the institution. The film, however, adopts a more objective point of view and does not delve into Chief Bromden's internal experiences to the same degree, placing more focus on McMurphy's character. 2. Character Emphasis and Development: In the film, Randle McMurphy, played by Jack Nicholson, is the central character. The story closely follows his journey, struggle, and influence on the other patients. In the novel, while McMurphy is still a crucial figure, there's a deeper exploration of Chief Bromden's backstory, his life on the reservation, and his perspective on the world. The film provides only a glance at the Chief's personal history and a few hints at his ability to hear and understand more than he lets on. 3. Secondary Characters: The novel spends more time fleshing out the lives and personalities of the other patients in the ward. The interactions amongst them and their development are more pronounced in the book. The film streamlines these aspects due to time constraints, which means that some of the patients receive less attention and may seem less developed. 4. Symbolism and Themes: Kesey's book contains rich symbolism, especially related to machinery and the dehumanizing nature of institutions, which are embodied in the character of Nurse Ratched and the treatment methods. The fog machine, for example, is a recurrent symbol in the book for the Chief’s mental state, which is not depicted in the movie. The film, while still critical of institutional oppression, focuses more on the human relationships and drama between characters. 5. The Ending: Both the book and film share a similar climax, but their respective executions and implications differ slightly in tone and detail. The novel offers a more expanded conclusion, particularly focusing on what happens with Chief Bromden. The film opts for a slightly more ambiguous, albeit powerful, finale, giving more emphasis to McMurphy's impact on the Chief. 6. Nurse Ratched: Louise Fletcher’s iconic portrayal of Nurse Ratched in the film gives her a cold, collected, and calculated demeanor. In the book, while she retains those characteristics, she also engages in more direct power struggles with McMurphy, and her manipulative tactics are more overtly explored. 7. Overall Impact: The film is a tight, dramatic narrative that is often viewed as a rebellion against the oppressive systems of the time. The book offers a deeper social critique, using the microcosm of the mental hospital to comment on broader issues related to institutional control and individuality. Both are powerful in their own right, but they utilize different narrative strategies to convey their messages. In conclusion, both Kesey’s novel and Forman's film adaptation of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest" are seminal works, but they differ in their approaches to point of view, character depth, and thematic emphasis. The film's tighter focus on McMurphy and the more direct rendering of plot points make it a distinct, albeit related, piece of storytelling when compared to the nuanced, character-rich, and symbolically complex narrative of the novel.