One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Lesson 4
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ELA

Unit 3

11th Grade

Lesson 4 of 37

Objective


Describe the social order amongst the men on the ward.

Characterize Billy Bibbit.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey  pp. 15 – 19

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Target Task


Question 1

Which choice best represents the overall pecking order on the unit?

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Question 2

The description of Ellis and Ruckly on pages 16-17 mainly serves to:

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Question 3

As presented on p. 19, Billy Bibbit is best described as:

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Key Questions


  • Track details the author uses to characterize the Acutes.
  • What is the significance of the author’s decision to capitalize the word “Acute?”
  • Based on the bottom of p. 15, who is responsible for “Creating” the situation of the “Chronics”?
  • What is the difference between the Chronics and the Acutes?
  • What does the narrator compare the Chronics to?
  • Why does the narrator tell the stories of Ellis and Ruckly?
  • How does the narrator describe Ruckly’s face?
  • Based on the narrator’s description on p. 17, why is Ruckly a “failure?”
  • What is revealed about the relationship between the Chronics and the Acutes on page 18? 
  • Why do you think McMurphy “knows right away” that he isn’t a Chronic?
  • What do McMurphy’s words on p. 19 reveal about his views of the other men on the ward?
  • What can the reader infer of Billy Bibbit based on his reaction to McMurphy?

Notes


  • These first few days of the unit are intentionally slow pace, allowing students to deeply analyze the exposition of the novel. Today, the teacher should allow for a character map of the men and for a discussion on Acutes vs. Chronics (Wheelers, Walkers, Vegetables) and “The Combine.”
  • The first allusion to lobotomy is on p. 17.
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