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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Sample Response

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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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Sample Response

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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.

Next

Explain the author’s use of structure to reveal theme.

Further characterize Nurse Ratched based on the author’s use of diction.

Lesson 6
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