Symbols
This is a symbol of the Crown of Thorns Jesus Christ wore during the crucifixion
What is the electrodes, EST, or the Crown of Wires
This character faced internal uncertainty regarding his identity and sexuality, as well as self consciousness regarding his appearance.
Who is Harding
The attitudes displayed by the calm patients as opposed to the agitated hospital staff shows this theme/ concept is relative
What is insanity
This event marked the first major rebellion against Nurse Ratched by the patients
The struggle between McMurphy and Ratched signifies this conflict
What is the struggle for power
The party the patients have in the final few chapters is representative of this event from Biblical lore
What is the Last Supper?
He was considered a "follower" who became one of the most defiant inmates after McMurphy's arrival
Who is Cheswick
Taking red pills, being subject to EST/lobotomy, and the Combine in general are all reflective of this social structure / theme
What is conformity vs. individuality
This emasculated Nurse Ratched at the end of the novel
What is McMurphy tearing Nurse Ratched's shirt off
The conflict between Harding and his wife explains this
What is Harding's presence on the ward and the root of his insecurity
During the boat trip, McMurphy commits this action of biblical symbolism
What is walking on or attempting to walk on water
This character proved to be one of the only caring, compassionate employees at the Combine
Who is the Japanese nurse
The fog, the machinery, flashbacks, and the overall ambiguity that surrounds Bromden's narration signify this theme
What is appearances are not often reality
This interaction pressured McMurphy into compliance rather than rebellion
What is the interaction/conversation with the lifeguard
Bromden has an ongoing struggle between staying in the fog or leaving it, which signifies this conflict
What is hiding in a crowd or standing out
Constant references to this are made during the beginning of the chapter to explain the efficiency and monotony of the Combine
What is machinery
He, unlike his fellow patients, ultimately could not overcome the oppression of the combine, largely due to the fact that he was emasculated by those closest to him for his entire life
Who is William Bibbit
This is eliminated with the enforcement of red pill consumption, medication, and EST/lobotomy
What is patient autonomy
The fishing trip group had to compromise their original transportation plans to the docks by doing this
What is including Doctor Spivey/encourage him to drive a ward car
The struggle between this man and this woman signifies gender power conflicts (multiple answers accepted)
Who is McMurphy and Nurse Ratched or Vera and Dale Harding or William Bibbit and his mother
Hiding out in a crowd and being in an ignorant bliss are the accepted interpretations of this experience Chief Bromden had
What is the fog
The different female characters in Cuckoo's Nest are representative of this
What is women's roles or stereotypes
This is the effect of laughter on the ward
What is the humanization of the patients or the breakdown of monotony/authority
After taking away this privilege, McMurphy continued his fight against Nurse Ratched by shattering her glass window and seizing the confiscated cigarettes
What is the privilege to the tub room/ to play card games
These four characters experience struggles related to sexuality
Who is Harding, McMurphy, Nurse Ratched, and William Bibbit