Candid Characters
Who thinks, "They don't bother not talking out loud about their hate secrets when I'm nearby because they think I'm deaf and dumb"? Why?
Who is "Chief Bromden?" He suffers from paranoia and hallucinations, so he prefers to limit his interactions.
How is the Ward a matriarchy?
Its highest officers are women, save for Doctor Spivey, who is more or less manipulated by Big Nurse. All of the patients are men, many with obvious sexual complexes, which she manipulates.
The reference to a grain harvester, or how Chief Bromden describes the nature of the asylum system as a thing that attempts to control you from the Outside.
What is "the Combine"?
The plot suggests there is a thin line between normal and _______
What is "abnormal?" (or insane)
Harding is ashamed of his...
Homosexuality.
Who said, "He is what we call a 'manipulator,' Miss Flinn, a man who will use everyone and everything to his own ends."?
Who is Nurse Ratched?
A layer of opaque water in the air that obfuscates vision acts as a symbol in the novel
What is the fog?
Bromden has always thought the fog is bad, true or false?
False. He has often found it comforting and safe.
Chief Bromden's 2 most distinguishing characteristics
He's pretending to be deaf; he's very tall and strong (will also accept: he's Native American)
"When a completed product goes back out into society, all fixed up good as new, better than new sometimes, it brings joy to the Big Nurse’s heart; something that came in all twisted different is now a functioning, adjusted component, a credit to the whole outfit and a marvel to behold." Which motif (a dominant idea) is Bromden referring to?
The Combine
Which character received multiple EST sessions for asking about his medications, became summarily docile and released, seemingly cured?
Who is "Maxwell Taber"?
What does McMurphy want to do for these men?
Give them back their humanity, their strength, their identity, to make "men" of them again, to fight back...etc.
Many of the men have chosen to live on the Ward voluntarily, like Mr. Harding and Mr. Bibbitt, escaping their world. What theme(s) might be represented? Multiple answers are allowed.
Social Pressure and Shame, Sanity vs. Insanity Emasculation and Sexuality (consider others)
What is the difference between Acutes and Chronics?
Acutes - temporary
Chronics - permanent
(more specific/intelligent answers accepted)
Who said, "Ya know-that is the ex-act thing somebody always tells me about the rules"?
Who is Randall Patrick McMurphy?
a turned-off TV
Character whose initials remind readers of the more ubiquitous Revolutions Per Minute, which speaks to his need to move and be free.
Who is R.P.M (Randle Patrick McMurphy)
Bromden's literal role on the ward
To sweep and clean
Name one of the African-American aides on the ward
Warren, Washington, or Williams
Who said, "I'm not a chicken, I'm a rabbit. The doctor is a rabbit. Cheswick there is a rabbit."? And what do they mean by Cheswick being a rabbit?
Who is Dale Harding? They mean that Cheswick accepts his lot in the Ward, and won't fight the big bad wolf, Nurse Ratched.
What psychological term is used when discussing McMurphy's mental state early in the novel?
Psychopath
What role does gambling play for the men on the Ward once McMurphy arrives?
It gives them an opportunity to own something, and is representative of McMurphy's back and forth fight with Ratched.
What is the significance of McMurphy's reference to a hen-pecking party
He's noticing how all of the men turn on each other, "pecking" away with the encouragement of Nurse Ratched
What symbol does Bromden physically use to escape?
The Control Panel