One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Twenty Points Each. Use PRESENT TENSE in your responses to these prompts. Remember, “Single subject, present tense—ALL verbs end in S.” DO NOT use the words “You” or “I” in your responses! Gracias!

1.     McMurphy’s arrival on the mental health ward manifests many positive changes in the lives of the patients who live there. Discuss at length three of the positive changes McMurphy makes during his stay at the hospital.

2.     Chief Bromden believes in a controlling concept called “The Combine.” Discuss two instances where the Chief sees “The Combine” in action—what do they do, what is their purpose, what are they up to—according to his original beliefs anyway?

3.     The reader soon realizes that “The Combine” is merely a manifestation of Bromden’s mental health issues. However, that doesn’t mean that the Combine might not actually exist. Discuss ways that society controls us, limits our potential, and keeps us generally controlled.

4.      McMurphy’s arrival does manifest positive changes in the lives of the patients of the mental health ward. However, his role there does lead to several distinctly negative outcomes. Discuss at length two negative impacts of his arrival.

5.     McMurphy’s battles with the Big Nurse are indeed legendary. Discuss at length one instance where McMurphy gets “the better” of the Big Nurse.

6.     At the end of the novel, it is clear that McMurphy could have fled after the party on the ward. Why does he stay? What happens to him because he stays? What happens to Billy? What does the Big Chief decide to do at the end of the novel? Is he a changed man? Why?

7.     Of course, it is clear that the one of the novel’s themes condemns the horrible conditions of mental health asylums in the 1940’s/1950’s. However, there are other themes developed in the novel. Discuss one other theme that Kesey develops in the novel—refer to specific instances or plot elements that develop this theme.