Lesson 24 | One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest | 11th Grade English

Objective

Debate the factors that keep the men in the ward.

Readings and Materials

Book: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey pp. 188 – 196

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Target Task

Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved

Writing Prompt

Based on page 190, which of the following best summarizes Harding’s claim about EST?

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Which recurring motif does the above reinforce?

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Based on the section, which character would most likely agree with the idea that, when dealing with mental issues, it is out of our own hands?

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Discussion & Writing Prompt

Do you think it matters whether a patient is voluntary or committed? Who actually determines if/when a patient can leave? The patient? Society? The Nurse?

Key Questions

Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding

What does Bromden believe the purpose of the X-rays are? Why is this detail significant?
What is the purpose of the paragraph beginning with “We’re benched…” on p. 188?
What does Harding’s tone reveal about the patients’ relationship with EST on p. 189? What larger conflict does this reveal?
Where did the idea for lobotomy come from? Why do you think the author chose to include this detail?
Do you agree with what Harding claims about “the public?” on p. 190? Why or why not?
What does McMurphy discover about Nurse Ratched’s power on p. 191?
What are the men debating at the top of p. 192? What do you think?
What does McMurphy mean by “passing the buck?” on p. 192?
What does McMurphy claim at the bottom of 192? Why does he want to steer clear of Ratched?
What is the difference between “voluntary” and “committed” on p. 193? Why is McMurphy so shocked here?
What do you think Billy means by “guts” on p. 195?
What makes McMurphy’s final statement on p. 196 ironic?

Notes

Suggestions for teachers to help them teach this lesson

Here is when McMurphy discovers they aren’t committed. Even though they are voluntary—in a way—they have no say because they claim to have “no guts.”

Lesson 23

Lesson 25

Lesson Map

“Kitty Dukakis”
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 69 – 189

Compare and contrast Dukakis and Kesey’s views on electroshock therapy.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 3 – 8

Characterize and evaluate the reliability of the narrator.

Characterize the Big Nurse and explain her role in the novel.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 10 – 14

Characterize McMurphy based on his initial appearance on the ward.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 15 – 19

Describe the social order amongst the men on the ward.

Characterize Billy Bibbit.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 20 – 26

Describe the conflict between Harding and McMurphy.

Explain how the men on the ward view the narrator.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 28 – 35

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

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

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 36 – 41

Explain the metaphor of The Combine using textual evidence.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 49 – 55
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Explain the impact of the “Therapeutic Community” on Pete Bancini.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 55 – 62

Evaluate the interaction between McMurphy and Harding based on dialogue and actions.

Identify and analyze an analogy used in the novel.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 69 – 75
“Helen”
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Determine McMurphy’s motivation behind his bet.

Explain how conflict reveals theme. Identify and analyze the allusion use in this excerpt.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 76 – 81
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Analyze the impact of the “fog” on the narrator.
Explain how the music conflict further characterizes McMurphy.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 85 – 90

Explain how Bromden’s dream reveals theme.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 95 – 101

Explain how the author builds theme through conflict.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 105 – 113

Explain how the author uses conflict and diction to further characterize McMurphy and Nurse Ratched.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 117 – 125
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Explain the symbolism of the steel control panel.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 130 – 137
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Explain how the fog can both protect and harm Bromden.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 145 – 145
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
“The Yellow Wallpaper”

Explain how Kesey and the author of the “The Yellow Wallpaper” each use conflict to develop theme.

Writing

“The Yellow Wallpaper”

Explain how the author of the “The Yellow Wallpaper” uses literary devices to develop theme.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 149 – 158

Explain the different claims about McMurphy among the staff.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 159 – 166
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Identify and explain the impact that McMurphy is having on Bromden.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 169 – 175

Analyze the reasons for the change in McMurphy’s behavior.

Explain the connection between McMurphy’s breaking and Cheswick’s death.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 176 – 181
“Mental Health Medications”

Debate if the benefits of medication outweigh the side-effects.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 182 – 187
The Missing Kennedy pp. 63 – 73 — Rosemary’s surgery

Describe the reasons behind the conflict between Harding and his wife.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 188 – 196

Debate the factors that keep the men in the ward.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 197 – 201

Explain the purpose behind Bromden’s flashbacks.

Debate whether the Nurse or McMurphy is “winning” the battle by the end of Part 3.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 205 – 215
“Andrew Jackson’s Speech to Congress on 'Indian Removal'”

Describe the growing conflict between McMurphy and Nurse Ratched.

Explain how Bromden’s past has impacted his current behavior.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 215 – 224

Describe how McMurphy’s influence has changed Bromden.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 225 – 234

Describe the conflict between Nurse Ratched and McMurphy.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 234 – 241

Explain the shift in mood and the cause of this shift.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 2241 – 250

Explain what McMurphy’s laughter represents.

Analyze and explain the author’s use of figurative language to reveal theme.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 250 – 258

Explain the impact of rules and regulations on the boat vs. off of the boat.

Explain McMurphy’s motivation and plan for further rebellion.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 261 – 270

Analyze and explain McMurphy and the Big Nurse’s motivations throughout this section of the text.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 276 – 283

Explain the shift in power dynamics.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 289 – 298

Explain the impact the treatments are having on both Bromden and McMurphy and how their response to treatment contributes to the overall conflict.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest pp. 305 – 309

Explain how the events of the night have impacted the men.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest — 310-end

Analyze and explain McMurphy’s final attempt to take down the Big Nurse and what this attempt symbolizes.

Assessment

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Objective

Readings and Materials

Target Task

Writing Prompt

Discussion & Writing Prompt

Key Questions

Notes

Lesson Map

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