Discussion Questions
1. Miss Ratched
enforces strict rules around the hospital, what do you think her reasons are
for allowing the fishing trip?
I believe she might've been persuaded by the doctor a bit, and she might see it as a therapeutic experience for the group.
2. McMurphy abides the rules of the hospital for a while and then suddenly has an outburst and punches the glass, what were his intentions for that scene?
I believe McMurphy wanted this outburst to catch Miss Ratched by surprise, so it would have more affect on her. He wanted to stir things up again and send a message to Miss Ratched that she might not have all the power like she thought she had.
3. Bromden talks for the first time in the novel to McMurphy, why would he expose his secret to him?
I think Bromden is starting to really like McMurphy and I think he trusts him. It's easier for Bromden to be able to be involved in this rebellion against the staff if he exposes the truth to McMurphy.
4. Bromden is also seen disobeying some of the black boys' orders for the first time what might be the reason for this sudden change in his ways?
Bromden is feeling more confident, and he's seeing that there has been a bit of a power change, and that maybe the staff isn't as powerful as he once thought. He might feel good disobeying an order after following them for so many years.
5. The other patients don't act as confident when the men on the docks harass them and Candy, because McMurphy is not there. Why do the others feel more afraid without McMurphy?
I believe they get a sense of normality, and comfortability with McMurphy, they'll stand up to someone if they know McMurphy's on their side. Yet, without McMurphy they might not feel as confident because they don't possess the bravery he has on his own.
6. Big Nurse doesn't act rattled or angry about McMurphy breaking the glass, why might that be?
I think the Big Nurse will never show her true colours, because she'll show McMurphy she's starting to lose power. I believe not acting mad and not giving a reaction to McMurphy might not give him the satisfaction of his outburst.
7. We learn that some of the Acutes are not committed, why would they choose to stay inside the hospital?
I think that maybe after being confined and isolated for so long that it'd be hard to move back into the real world. Maybe they wouldn't feel a part of society and they'd feel different and uncomfortable around others.
8. We also learn the origins of why Bromden pretends to be deaf, does this pretending play an advantage or disadvantage to Bromden?
I believe it's an advantage to Bromden. He's gathered so much information along the years and people might underestimate him sometimes. But there's also a downside of not being able to engage as well with others as the rest might do.
9. Why does Miss Ratched decide not to put McMurphy in the disturbed ward?
I don't think Miss Ratched finds it necessary because she doesn't see McMurphy as some giant psychopath. She doesn't want to just hand off her problem to someone else, she wants to deal with it herself.
10. Would Doctor Spivey be considered an ally to McMurphy and the patients?
Doctor Spivey is an interesting character, I think he's easily persuaded and that really helps McMurphy get what he wants. He definitely is considered 'a good guy' in my opinion and I believe he does truly care about the patients, which can make him an ally.
-Owen
I believe she might've been persuaded by the doctor a bit, and she might see it as a therapeutic experience for the group.
2. McMurphy abides the rules of the hospital for a while and then suddenly has an outburst and punches the glass, what were his intentions for that scene?
I believe McMurphy wanted this outburst to catch Miss Ratched by surprise, so it would have more affect on her. He wanted to stir things up again and send a message to Miss Ratched that she might not have all the power like she thought she had.
3. Bromden talks for the first time in the novel to McMurphy, why would he expose his secret to him?
I think Bromden is starting to really like McMurphy and I think he trusts him. It's easier for Bromden to be able to be involved in this rebellion against the staff if he exposes the truth to McMurphy.
4. Bromden is also seen disobeying some of the black boys' orders for the first time what might be the reason for this sudden change in his ways?
Bromden is feeling more confident, and he's seeing that there has been a bit of a power change, and that maybe the staff isn't as powerful as he once thought. He might feel good disobeying an order after following them for so many years.
5. The other patients don't act as confident when the men on the docks harass them and Candy, because McMurphy is not there. Why do the others feel more afraid without McMurphy?
I believe they get a sense of normality, and comfortability with McMurphy, they'll stand up to someone if they know McMurphy's on their side. Yet, without McMurphy they might not feel as confident because they don't possess the bravery he has on his own.
6. Big Nurse doesn't act rattled or angry about McMurphy breaking the glass, why might that be?
I think the Big Nurse will never show her true colours, because she'll show McMurphy she's starting to lose power. I believe not acting mad and not giving a reaction to McMurphy might not give him the satisfaction of his outburst.
7. We learn that some of the Acutes are not committed, why would they choose to stay inside the hospital?
I think that maybe after being confined and isolated for so long that it'd be hard to move back into the real world. Maybe they wouldn't feel a part of society and they'd feel different and uncomfortable around others.
8. We also learn the origins of why Bromden pretends to be deaf, does this pretending play an advantage or disadvantage to Bromden?
I believe it's an advantage to Bromden. He's gathered so much information along the years and people might underestimate him sometimes. But there's also a downside of not being able to engage as well with others as the rest might do.
9. Why does Miss Ratched decide not to put McMurphy in the disturbed ward?
I don't think Miss Ratched finds it necessary because she doesn't see McMurphy as some giant psychopath. She doesn't want to just hand off her problem to someone else, she wants to deal with it herself.
10. Would Doctor Spivey be considered an ally to McMurphy and the patients?
Doctor Spivey is an interesting character, I think he's easily persuaded and that really helps McMurphy get what he wants. He definitely is considered 'a good guy' in my opinion and I believe he does truly care about the patients, which can make him an ally.
-Owen
10. Would Doctor Spivey be considered an ally to McMurphy and the patients?
ReplyDeleteAs much as it would seem that Doctor Spivey is helping the patients and McMurphy, he is still always under the control of what the nurse would ask him to do. Doctor Spivey does not have to free will that the books tries to demonstrate. Whenever he flies to faraway from the nest, the nurse will always pull him back with her mischievous smile. Therefore Doctor Spivey can try all he wants to be an ally, but he will never be able to with the nurse watching over him.
- Devon
I agree that Doctor Spivey wouldn't exactly be an ally, though I do think McMurphy would more so consider the Doctor to be a tool to use against the Big Nurse. Even though the Nurse has control over all the staff, Doctor Spivey is quite easily manipulated and McMurphy would certainly be able to use him to his advantage.
ReplyDelete- Jonelle
I completely agree with the comments Devon and Jonelle provided. It is quite clear by the way the Doctor changes his behaviour around both McMurphy and Miss Ratched. He is an easily manipulated man that will listen to the biggest person in the room. The Doctor also seems to be the only one of the care staff to take an interest in the patients and what they want rather then what they 'need'.
ReplyDelete- Savannah
Good point Savannah. The doctor seems to be the type to switch sides to be aligned with whoever holds the most power at that moment. Though he does indeed seem to look out for the patients in a more caring way than any of the other care staff.
ReplyDelete- Jonelle
Thank you for agreeing with me Jonelle! I always found that odd about Doctor Spivey that he could just flip a switch on whose 'side' he is on. I almost feel if the book ended in McMurphy's favour that the Doctor would have had no problem following his every word!
ReplyDelete-Savannah