One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Lesson 36
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ELA

Unit 3

11th Grade

Lesson 36 of 37

Objective


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

Readings and Materials


  • Book: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey  — 310-end

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Target Task


Question 1

Kesey builds the motif of the “Combine” throughout the novel. How does Billy’s death help develop this motif and Kesey’s larger message? Explain using evidence from the text.

Question 2

Who or what killed Billy Bibbit? Explain using evidence from the text.

Key Questions


  • What is the purpose of the first paragraph on p. 310? What does it foreshadow?
  • What does the narrator believe without question about McMurphy on p. 310?
  • How do the men react to the Big Nurse’s punishment on p. 310? How is this a different response than earlier in the novel? Why is it different?
  • Why is Harding still concerned on p. 311?
  • What does the narrator mean when he says “the men were immune to her poison” on p. 312?
  • What does the Big Nurse say to Billy Bibbit on p. 313? What is her tone when she says it?
  • How does the Big Nurse ensure Billy Bibbit reacts the way she wants him to on p. 313?
  • What does Billy Bibbit do on p. 314? What is his tone when he does it?
  • What is the impact of Billy’s response on the Big Nurse’s power on p. 316?
  • What kind of diction does the narrator use to describe Billy on p. 316?
  • What does Billy do on p. 317? Why did he do this? Whose fault is it?
  • How does McMurphy respond to this act on p. 318? What does he do to the Big Nurse?
  • What is the intent behind McMurphy’s choice to open the Big Nurse’s shirt on p. 318? How does Big Nurse respond?
  • Who won this battle?  Who won the war?

Notes


  • The teacher may decide to assign the end of the novel for homework if the students do not finish the novel in class.
  • Alternatively, this day could be split into two class periods and the final scene of the film could also be shown.
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Lesson 35

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Lesson 37

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