In "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," who primarily represents authority and control within the institution?

Nurse Ratched primarily represents authority and control within the institution in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Her character embodies the oppressive and institutional nature of mental health care during the time period depicted in the novel. She maintains strict control over the patients and the environment, using manipulation and psychological tactics to assert her power.

Nurse Ratched oversees the daily operations of the ward, enforcing rules that are often dehumanizing and aimed at keeping the patients submissive and compliant. Her cold, calculated demeanor juxtaposes with McMurphy’s rebellious spirit, highlighting the struggle between individuality and oppressive authority. This central conflict is crucial to the narrative, showcasing how Ratched's control symbolizes the broader theme of institutional authority that seeks to stifle personal freedom and autonomy.

Other figures, like McMurphy and Chief Bromden, illustrate resistance and the impact of this authority, while Dr. Spivey serves more as a secondary character in the power dynamic rather than the embodiment of control itself.