Authority
Manipulation
Order vs. Freedom
Change
Misc.
100
p30: Compare Big nurse ideal (last paragraph) with the soldier-in-white from CATCH-22.
The soldier in white was treated like an object. He was nameless and no one recognized him as an individual but someone who was just there in the hospital bed dressed in white. Even after he died and was removed and replaced by another guy dressed in white, everyone thought it was the same person. Big nurse treats everyone in the ward like her toys and basically sees each person as something to fix.
100
Why does Big Nurse call MacMurphy “McMurry”?
She calls him by the wrong name because she wants to draw attention to herself from him. It’s like when you call someone by the wrong name and they notice it right away. However here, she wants him to recognize her authority and his own insignificance in the ward.
100
Big Nurse says, “...everyone must follow the rules.” Mac says, “...somebody always tells me about the rules...just when they figure out I’m about to do the dead opposite”.
Rules are made to prevent people from doing things that are wrong. It’s the only way society can function. If there were no rules then there would be chaos. Mac is the rule breaker. --OR-- Mac is implying that he is a rule breaker. This is foreshadowing that he may attempt to bend the rules and may even start a revolution in the institution.
100
Why does the factory girl run over to Bromden at the factory?
She is attracted to him and the idea of running away from her old life and living with him.
100
Do the orderlies float? Are there magnets on the floor?
No, they do not float. It appears as if they float since the hospital itself is white and their clothes are white. It’s like they’re floating black heads in the air.
200
Why do the men see themselves as rabbits and Big Nurse as a wolf? Why are they “sans wham bam”? How did they get that way? Where does “choice” enter into their roles?
They have no power and do what they are told to do. They can’t stand up for themselves. They’re like gears in a machine.
200
Do you think Mac is a manipulator? Why or why not?
Yes. He talks to everyone as if he is superior to them, as if he’s talking down to them. It appears as if he doesn't really see anyone as his equal. ----OR----- No, he’s just observing his surroundings and is getting used to how “the machine” works.
200
Bancini says, “I’m tired.” This is a theme repeated in a lot of literature (See the men of GRAPES OF WRATH). What does he need?
He needs attention. He is scared and alone and he needs nurturing, he has felt like a helpless baby his whole life.
200
The hospital is for fixing up the mistakes made in the neighborhoods, schools, and the churches. What are these institutions doing or not doing? Are they only doing the job for people who are already well adjusted?
These institutions are only bettering the better and doing nothing for those who need the help. They are places where people go to perform. The only people who succeed are the people who are already well-adjusted to the environment. Those who don’t already know the ropes fail, unless if they get lucky.
200
What is a chicken-pecking party? What is “pecking order”?
A chicken-pecking party is when a group of chickens, at the sight of blood on a chicken, pecks the heck out of that chicken. Eventually the pecking party kills the whole flock. McMurphy uses this as an analogy for what happened to Harding at the meeting. Harding would be the chicken that had blood on him and Miss Ratched is the first chicken who starts pecking.
300
How does Bromden’s arm swell up with power when he shakes hands with Mac?
The scars on Mac’s hand represents toughness so when Bromden shakes it, he feels as though that strength transferred over to his own hand. Also, the handshake acts like a confidence booster because someone actually recognized him as a person.
300
Bromden says, “...when just that certain one might come in who’s free enough to foul things up... really make a hell of a mess.”
People are happy when there are Dismissals. However, people are uneasy with Admission because they never know whether he/she will comply to the rules or mess up the system. Nurse Ratched especially doesn’t like admissions like these because she gets cranky “if anything keeps her outfit from running smooth”. Admissions are unpredictable.
300
In a therapeutic community there should be no need for secrets among friends. Discuss the pros and cons of this theory. What is confrontational therapy?
PROS: everything is brought to light, past, deep rooted problems that would normally never surface now can. CONS: people feel singled out, the ‘chicken-pecking party’ analogy
300
Why does Harding stay in the hospital when he knows he’s not getting the help he needs?
Faith. he has nobody else to turn to to help him.
300
Earlier Billy said he would kill himself if he were deaf and now he says it’s no use (changing from a rabbit) and he should just kill himself.
He’s realized that it’s no use hearing if he can’t speak up so he just figures it’s just as worse as being deaf.
400
Cheswick and Bibbit change into rabbits right before Bromden’s eyes. What happened?
They turned into rabbits in two ways. First, they intimidated rabbits like Harding asked them to. However, they did not do the other things that Harding asked of, namely hopping and showing “how fluffy you are”. This shows how cowardly and “rabbit-like” they are.
400
Why would Harding marry a beautiful and buxom wife?
He wanted her all to himself. He feels jealous when he notices other men checking her out and hates her for even considering going after any other these other men. He married her in hopes that she would stay faithful to him completely and no other man would get in his way.
400
The ESTA table is shaped like a cross with a crown of electric sparks.
It’s like crucification, you lose connection to the real world.
400
Mac says to Harding “...you guys aren’t any crazier than the average guy on the streets.” Why then are these guys in the hospital?
Harding: “we’re like rabbits who can’t adjust to rabbithood”
400
Bromden is called the “Vanishin’ American”. Discuss this play on words.
During this time Native Americans are also dropping like flies and so is he from discussing with anyone. It’s like his an invisible man, everyone ignores him and says whatever they want around him.
500
Why keep weak doctors and strong orderlies?
That way Ratched has all the power. Weak doctors will do whatever she wants and strong orderlies will enforce her rules.
500
While the men are game playing Bancini comes up with a real problem and he is ignored. Why? What is his advice to the men? Look at Bancini and the rusted clock metaphor.
He is ignored because the other patients are obsessed with pleasing the Big Nurse. He was crying about the fact how he was essentially unfixable and he was saying that the other patients aren’t as screwed as him and still have a chance to fix themselves and get out of the institution. Although an old clock may not tell the correct time, may not have straight hands, may not have an alarm, it still functions. Bancini continues to say that he’s tired but it does not have a significant effect.
500
Mac tells the men to “vote on anything.” What’s the point?
To tell the nurse that they feel as if something is wrong and they want change PRONTO.
500
Mac says, “lose your laugh, you lose your footing.”
If you can’t appreciate humor then you can’t appreciate life.
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