One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Lesson 21
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ELA

Unit 3

11th Grade

Lesson 21 of 37

Objective


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

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

Readings and Materials


  • Book: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey  pp. 169 – 175

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Target Task


Question 1

In the context of page 170, “McMurphy stopped splashing,” and “‘And if you’re committed?’” mainly serve to show McMurphy’s:

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Question 2

Which of the following is the most likely conclusion McMurphy has come to, based on pages 171-173?

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Question 3

Discussion Question: What is the greater meaning behind Cheswick’s death? Was it a suicide or an accident?

Key Questions


  • How does McMurphy feel about the behavior of the men toward the Big Nurse?  (169)
  • What does the phrase “so sure of her hand” indicate?  (169) (gambling theme)
  • Track Bromden’s views on the swimming pool. (169)
  • What does the use of the verb “herding” on p. 169 imply?
  • What is the difference between “committed” and “sentenced” according to the lifeguard? (170)
  • How do the lifeguard’s words impact McMurphy?  Track his actions. (170-171)
  • Why does Bromden grow “afraid” on p. 171?
  • How does McMurphy’s behavior change from pages 172-173? What is his motivation?
  • Read pages 174-175 very carefully. What does the tragedy that occurs have to do with McMurphy’s behavior? 
  • What does Cheswick’s death symbolize? What was the cause? Was it suicide?

Notes


  • Cheswick dies in this scene, so if students do not finish the reading in class, the teacher is strongly encouraged to reread p. 174-175 the following day, asking if there is a connection with Cheswick’s death and McMurphy’s giving up.
  • Cheswick does not die in the film, so this could be a good place for a discussion about why the film makers made this choice. 
  • Consider pausing for a debate about what Cheswick’s death symbolizes. 
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Lesson 20

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Lesson 22

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