One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Lesson 34
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ELA

Unit 3

11th Grade

Lesson 34 of 37

Objective


Explain the impact the treatments are having on both Bromden and McMurphy and how their response to treatment contributes to the overall conflict. 

Readings and Materials


  • Book: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey  pp. 289 – 298

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Target Task


How does McMurphy respond to the EST treatments? What does this response reveal about his character? About the war? Draw on both the motifs of big/small and the power dynamics of the novel to support your answer.

Key Questions


  • What is the impact of shock treatment on one’s state of mind according to p. 289? 
  • How does the use of diction such as “foggy” and “jumbled” on this page develop theme?
  • What does McMurphy do to Big Nurse on p. 290? Why?
  • How do the men treat McMurphy when he returns to the ward? Why?
  • How do the men feel about McMurphy when he returns to the ward?
  • What does McMurphy mean when he says “cash in his cherry” on p. 292?
  • What does Big Nurse try to achieve on p. 293?
  • What does the narrator reveal about the Big Nurse’s relationship with Billy’s mom?
  • What does the narrator reveal about Billy Bibbit on these pages?
  • How does McMurphy suggest that Billy use the Seclusion Room? What is the larger significance of this suggestion?
  • What does Turkle suggest about Candy on p. 296?
  • What kinds of words does McMurphy use to describe Billy on p. 297? What is the impact of this choice?

Notes


  • Teacher may wish to begin class with two questions about the homework:
    • What is the impact of the EST on Bromden’s state of mind? Draw on evidence from pgs. 283-288.
    • How does Kesey use Bromden’s state of mind on these pages to critique mental institutions in America?
  • Assign p. 298-304 for homework and consider showing the party scene from the film either at the end of today’s class or at the beginning of the next class.  

Next

Explain how the events of the night have impacted the men.

Lesson 35
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