Ken Kesey's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" explores the life within a mental institution, highlighting the struggles of the inmates against the oppressive authority represented by Nurse Ratched. The story revolves around Randle McMurphy, who challenges the institution's dehumanizing practices and seeks to bring a sense of individuality and freedom to his fellow patients. Through his rebellious spirit, McMurphy symbolizes the fight against a system that seeks to control and suppress individuality. The quote, "You seem to forget, Miss Flinn, that this is an institution for the insane," emphasizes the power dynamics at play within the asylum. It reflects the stark reality faced by the protagonists, who are trapped in a society that views them as 'insane' and thus less valid as individuals. Kesey masterfully illustrates the tension between conformity and rebellion, ultimately questioning the nature of sanity itself and the societal norms that define it.