One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey 9     Why the electronic and machine-like metaphors? 10   Why does Bromden think that Big Nurse's purse is a tool kit. 11   Why does Bromden say that her arms sectioned out and wrapped around the orderlies?      Why does Bromden assume that Big Nurse is bitter about her womanly breasts? 12   ...Bromden says there are faces all around you trapped screaming behind the mirrors.      Bromden says, "...the bird is safe as long as he keeps still." Is this true? 13   They start the fog machine and it's snowing down cold and white. What is the fog machine? Where doesw Bromden get this metaphor?      Bromden says, "...the bird is safe as long as he keeps still." Is this true? 15   Why does Big Nurse allow the patients to be abused by the orderlies? 16   McMurphy sounds like he's way above the group and talking down to them. What's the significance of comparing Mac to Papa the full-blooded Columbian Indian? 17   Mac introduces himself as "...a gambling fool." The patients play pinochle. Mac plays poker. 17   Mac was going to go to jail because he fought and fooled around too much. When we overstep the bounds of normalcy we're deemed crazy by all those that don't agree with us. Would a vegetarian be crazy in a cannibalistic society? Are vegetarians normal in our society?      What's the significance of Mac betting the man that he doesn't know what cards are in his hand? 22   Why does everybody on Big Nurse's ward cooperate? 23   Harding curls his shoulders around and tries to hide inside himself. 24   What is libido?      Mac calls himself a dedicated man and proceeds to talk about what he's dedicated to. Compare this to Yossarian's comment about Dunbar being one of the least dedicated men he knew.      Why is gambling and prostitution illegal? 25   What's the significance of Mac meeting everyone on the ward? Note Bromden's doubts and the exchange between Mac and Big George. 26   Mac seems like the sort of guy that gets a laugh out of people.      Why does Bromden think that Mac can see through his deaf-and-dumb act? He says Mac was laughing at how weak he looked. 26   Bromden isn't an Indian name. What happened? 27   How does Bromden's arm swell up with power when he shakes hands with Mac? 27   Why does Big Nurse call Mac, McMurry? 28   Big Nurse says, "...everyone must follow the rules." Mac says, "...somebody always tells me about the rules...just when they figure I'm about to do the dead opposite." THE BATTLE BEGINS--RULES VS. INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM. 29   Do you thin kMac is a manipulator? 30   Compare Big Nurse ideal (last paragraph) with the soldier-in-white from CATCH-22. 31   Why keep weak doctors and strong orderlies? 32-33 Do the orderlies float? Are there magnets on the floor? 39   Why does the factory girl run over to Bromden at the factory? 40   The hospital is for fixing up the mistakes made in the neighborhoods, schools, and the churches. What are these institutions doing or not doing? 41   Bromden says, "...when just that certain one might come in who's free enough to foul things up...really make a hell of a mess." 42   Bancini says, "I'm tired." This is a theme repeated in a lot of literature. (See the men of GRAPES OF WRATH). What's he need? 44   Why would Harding marry a beautiful and buxom wife? 48   In a therapeutic community there should be no need for secrets among friends. Discuss the pros and cons of this theory. What is confrontational therapy? 49   While the men are game playing Bancini comes up with a real problem and he is ignored. Why? What is his advice to the men? Look at Bancini and the rusted clock metaphor. 55   What is a chicken-pecking party? What is "pecking order"? 56   Why does Harding stay in the hospital when he knows he's not getting the help he needs? 60-63 Why do the men see themselves as rabbits and Big Nurse as a wolf? Why are they "sans whambam?" How did they get that way? Where does "choice" enter in their roles? 61   Mac says to Harding "...you guys aren't any crazier than the average guy on the street." Why then are these guys in the hospital? Cheswick and Bibbit change into rabbits right before Bromden's eyes. What happened? 64   Earlier Billy said he would kill himself if he were deaf and now he says it's no use (changing from a rabbit) and he should just kill himself. 65   The EST table is shaped like a cross with a crown of electric sparks. Bromden is called the Vanishin American. Discuss this play on words. Mac tells the men to "...vote on anything." What's the point? 65   Mac says, "...lose your laugh, you lose your footing." (see page 28) 69   Harding knows Mac is committed? 70   What's the significance of the Santa Claus tale? Can Big Nurse control the time? 71   Is the old Chronic really dead for six days and rotting to the chair? Why haven't they fogged the place in since Mac got there? 73   Harding says he doesn't hear the radio anymore. He's used to it. Bromden says he still hears the waterfall and always will. What's the difference? 75   Why does Mac let the patients win back their cigarettes? Mac's tattoo is aces and eights. One point extra credit--what is it? 76-77 Mac throws Bromden's pill away and finds out he is not deaf. 80   Bromden is not drugged tonight and has a nightmarish dream mixed with reality when Balstic dies and is carried out. Public Relations is part of the dream and he has on a corset and hanging form the stays are withered objects tied by the hair like scalps. Why do minoritites refer to some people with just their occupation? 83   Authors choose songs and song titles for a reason. What's Mac's song saying? 84   Why does Bromden think Mac is different and might win against the combine? 85   Why would the ward lock up toothpaste? (Page 88) Why do they all have to wear convalescent greens?