comprehension questions to 3-4 chapters

Question

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

comprehension questions to 3-4 chapters

https://books-library.net/files/books-library.online-12230134Co1W4.pdf link to book chapter 4-5

1. How does the Chief describe the "Combine"? Why do you think he chose this word to describe the ward?

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2. What does the Chief compare the Big Nurse to?

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3. What is the primary characteristic, according to the Chief, does the nurse look for when she is hiring orderlies?

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4. What did the Big Nurse teach these men?

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5. "She never gives orders out loud or leaves written instructions that might get found by a visiting wife or schoolteacher. Doesn't need to anymore. They are in contact..

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6. "Some mornings - Mondays especially - I hide and try to buck the schedule. Other mornings I figure it's cagier to step right into place between A and C in the alphabet and move the route like everybody else, without lifting my feet - powerful magnets in the floor maneuver personnel through the ward like arcade puppets."

How does this quote reflect the Chief's mental faculties? (Look for a serious contrast in his thinking here.)

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7. "Like a cartoon world, where the figures are flat and outlined in black, jerking through some kind of goofy story that might be real funny if it weren't for the cartoon figures being real guys..."

Analyze this quote and how it explains one of the main themes that are beginning to form in the novel.

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8. Which Acute refuses to take the pills given to him and is brutally drugged and taken from the ward by technicians for possible "brain work"?

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9. What is the name or term that the Chief uses for the man who gives tours of the ward to school teachers? What is the bizarre ritual that he participates in sometimes? Why isn't he considered insane?

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10. What is the point of the Chief's repeated occurrences with mist, fog, or haze? What does it signify about his possible mental illness or outlook on life?

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11. What is the difference between a Dismissal and an Admission? What are some of the emotions associated with each?

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12. Based on the Chief's details in his description about Big Nurse Ratched, what characteristics does she possess in terms of style, goals, motivation, and philosophy?

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13. We hear a list of McMurphy's transgressions from over the years. Explain how each one provides us, the reader, with a clearer picture of why McMurphy might have been re-assigned over to the ward. Should he be there or not?

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14. During the conversation with McMurphy, Dr. Spivey, and Nurse Ratched, what is happening between Dr. Spivey and McMurphy and why does Nurse Ratched seem to have such a problem with it?

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15. Paraphrase the Therapeutic Community Theory below.

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16. What is the difference between the Acutes and Pete? Why do you think the Chief related this story?

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17. What analogy does McMurphy make about the therapy session? What is Harding's response to this analogy? Does he agree or disagree?

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18. Who is right about the Big Nurse? Harding or McMurphy?

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19. Harding says that the guys and Dr. Spivey are the same. Find the quote that states how.

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20. Why does Harding compare the men on the ward to rabbits? What is the purpose of this metaphor?

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21. What are some of the consequences of rebelling against the rules of the Big Nurse? If you were in the ward, would you comply or rebel? Are you a rabbit or a wolf?

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22. What is McMurphy betting on? Why would he try this little game?

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23. McMurphy claims he was placed in the ward because he planned it that way. Do you believe him or are there reasons for his current placement? What might they be based on his character at this moment?

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Asked by Shawn N #1219599 on 3/8/2022 4:38 PM

Last updated by Aslan on 3/8/2022 5:03 PM

Answers 1

Add Yours

Answered by Aslan on 3/8/2022 5:02 PM

How does the Chief describe the "Combine"? Why do you think he chose this word to describe the ward?

Chief Bromden notes how Ratched elicits complete control of the staff of the ward, which he now officially names the Combine. She basically controlls or "runs over" anything and anybody that she wants. Even the doctors are obedient to her, and she has managed to organize a group of henchmen, the sadistic black boys. Most of all, Nurse Ratched is a believer in routine. Each morning she dispenses medications and sets about a carefully controlled scheme of actions. On this day, however, Mr. Taber demands to know what is in his medication, and Nurse Ratched refuses to say. Instead, she remarks coldly that there are means of taking the medicine other than orally. The black boys take him away and inject him.

Please submit each of your questions one at a time. Thanks.

Answers 1

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