Randle P. McMurphy is a fictional character from Ken Kesey's novel, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." He is a rebellious and charismatic man who fakes insanity to serve his sentence in a mental institution rather than prison. McMurphy's defiance against the oppressive rules of the hospital challenges the authority of Nurse Ratched, the strict head nurse. Throughout the story, McMurphy becomes a symbol of individuality and freedom, inspiring other patients to assert themselves. His interactions with the other characters highlight themes of conformity, control, and the struggle for personal autonomy within the confines of the mental health system.