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The Webster’s New World Dictionary defines mental retardation as a “congenital disorder characterized by subnormal intelligence.” (Webster’s new world dictionary, PG 396 left column). As I read the novel “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” by Ken Kesey, it seemed as if some of the characters had the mental and emotional capacity of children. I think this be caused by the environment at the institution. In this novel, none of the characters appear to benefit from being institutionalized. Actually, it appears that the mental and emotional capacity of the characters declines while institutionalized on this ward of the hospital. I believe this decline is a result of a too much medication, electro-shock therapy and lobotomies as well as their fear of the head nurse. In the beginning of the novel “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest”, we are introduced to the narrator, a huge Indian by the name of Chief Bromden. In the first couple of chapters, through the eyes of Chief Bromden, we are introduced to the institutional setting, the main characters and the day-to-day routines of the patients and staff at the institution. We learn that there are two kinds of patients on this ward of the hospital; the Acutes and t