One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Lesson 5
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ELA

Unit 3

11th Grade

Lesson 5 of 37

Objective


Describe the conflict between Harding and McMurphy. 

Explain how the men on the ward view the narrator.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey  pp. 20 – 26

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Target Task


Question 1

The chapter most clearly implies that others view Harding as:

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Question 2

Describe the outcome of the power struggle between McMurphy and Harding on p. 21.

Question 3

The description of how McMurphy was shaking hands, “like he was a politician running for something” on pages 22-23, mainly serves to:

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Key Questions


  • Track details that characterize Harding based on p. 20.
  • How does the narrator describe Harding’s hands?  Why?
  • What makes Harding qualified to be “President” compared to the other men?
  • How does Harding first treat McMurphy and how does McMurphy respond to Harding? Who “wins?”
  • What do the patient’s on the ward learn about McMurphy’s past?
  • How does McMurphy treat Ellis? What does this indicate?
  • How does McMurphy treat the men on the ward? What does this indicate?
  • Describe McMurphy’s first interaction with our narrator on p. 23-25. How is this different than others?
  • What does the narrator notice about McMurphy’s hand?
  • Which motif does the author develop by using the word “whirring” to describe the Big Nurse’s eyes?
  • What are McMurphy’s views on rules?

Notes


Students should read p. 27-28 for HW, annotating for the power struggle between Nurse and McMurphy.

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Lesson 4

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Lesson Map

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