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One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest TEACHER’S COPY
2. What is the theory of the Therapeutic Community? Cite incidents from the story to
support or refute the following statement: Nurse Ratched’s ward follows the principles of
a Therapeutic Community.
The theory of the Therapeutic Community states the ward of the hospital is like a small model
of the real world. The inmates must learn to get along in a group. The rules they all must
follow are determined by voting in the democratic way. They must air any grievances and feel
at ease in their surroundings. They are to feel free to discuss emotional problems in front of
patients and staff. Answers will vary. Example: On the surface, the ward follows the principles
of a Therapeutic Community. The patients do vote on issues and do discuss their feelings in
group meetings. However, the ward is not democratic. Nurse Ratched controls Dr. Spivey, the
orderlies, and every aspect of the patients’ lives. She directs the discussions to belittle the
patients in the name of therapy. Nurse Ratched baits the patients and also encourages patients
to write down observations about each other in the daily log book.
3. What is the double meaning of Pete Bancini’s comment, “I’m tired”?
The patients are rushing headlong into Ratched’s control trap, emasculating each other, trying
to confess more and more. Bancini, damaged at birth, could not be molded by the Combine. His
comments signify that he is tired of hearing and seeing the inmates torture each other, as well
as being physically tired.
4. Harding has been humiliated by the others concerning his wife and her affairs. How does
McMurphy describe what happened at the group meeting?
McMurphy analogizes it to a “pecking party,” in which chickens kill one another in a frenzy.
He also claims Big Nurse is the instigator.
5. What is Harding’s reaction?
At first, he denies its veracity and defends Ratched completely. But as he become more agitated,
he realizes how she has mistreated the patients.
6. Define “matriarchy.” Some critics of this book believe Kesey is accusing women of trying
to run the world and emasculate the males of the world. Cite incidents from the story
which support this idea.
Matriarchy – a society in which the mother is the head of the family; a government by women.
Answers will vary. Example: Nurse Ratched is friends with the superintendent of the hospital,
who is also a woman. They control the hiring and the firing of the staff, including the doctor.
Harding’s problems stem from his relationship with his wife, and Billy’s come from his mother.
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