200616

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest TEACHING UNIT
18. The Chief kills McMurphy because
A. he cannot stand to see his only friend suffering from the pain of the operation.
B. he knows McMurphy will never be whole again after the lobotomy and is as good as
dead. When he kills McMurphy, he is only killing McMurphy’s body.
C. McMurphy is the only one who knows the Chief can both hear and speak.
D. the Chief is angry with McMurphy for letting Nurse Ratched win the final battle.
19. Which of the following quotations from this story is spoken by Nurse Ratched?
A. “We don’t use the room at all otherwise; there’s no longer a need for the
hydrotherapy it was designed for, now that we have the new drugs.”
B. “I don’t agree that he should be sent up to Disturbed, which would simply be an easy
way of passing our problem on to another ward, and I don’t agree that he is some
kind of extraordinary being - some kind of ‘super’ psychopath.”
C. “Oh Dale, you never do have enough, do you.”
D. “You’ll recall McMurphy came in full steam, from a rigorous life outdoors on a work
farm, ruddy of face and abloom with physical health.”
20. What does McMurphy promise the Chief if the Chief will agree to lift the control panel?
A. McMurphy promises the Chief he can have sex with Candy.
B. McMurphy promises to make the Chief big again.
C. McMurphy promises to give the Chief half of the profits from the wagers.
D. Both A and B
ESSAYS (ANSwER ANY TwO.)
1. Many critics believe Kesey intends McMurphy to be a heroic, Christ-like figure. Do you
agree or disagree with this theory? Cite incidents from the story to support your answer.
2. In the beginning of this story, McMurphy is described by the judge as a psychopath. Do
you believe McMurphy is truly insane or merely a con man trying to escape the work
farm? Cite incidents from the story to support your answer.
3. Some women are offended by this novel because of its apparent lack of decent female
characters. In what ways do the following characters exhibit negative qualities? Do they
have any redeeming qualities? What do you think Kesey is saying about the level of
responsibility women must accept for helping society destroy a man’s individuality?
Nurse Ratched, Vera Harding, Mrs. Bibbit, Candy Starr, Mrs. Bromden
4. State whether or not you believe the Chief is a reliable narrator for this story. Why do
you think Kesey chose to tell this story in part from the Chief’s point of view? Cite
incidents from the novel to support your answer.
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TEST