Cuckoo's Nest Chapter 6-8 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Who shows up one Christmas night and what happens to him?

A guy acting like Santa gets cornered by black boys and kept at the hospital for 6 years.

How does Big Nurse control time in the hospital?

She sets the wall clock to be faster, stops it, or slows it down.

What does Big Nurse do before she leaves?

At 4:30, she takes off her hat and tells everyone goodbye.

What noise is bothering McMurphy and why doesn't it bother the other patients?

The radio is bothering McMurphy because the other patients are used to it after hearing it for so long. Signup and view all the answers

How does McMurphy almost lose the bet?

He is about to threaten the black boy to turn off the radio when Harding stops him. Signup and view all the answers

What game do McMurphy and the Acutes play?

They play Blackjack. Signup and view all the answers

What staff are left at the hospital at night?

Two black boys: one fat and the other is Geever, along with a short nurse with a birthmark. Signup and view all the answers

How does McMurphy scare the night nurse?

He 'helps' her pass out pills and pick up a watering can. Signup and view all the answers

How does Bromden accidentally reveal that he's not deaf?

Bromden 'jumps' when McMurphy yells about the black boy. Signup and view all the answers

What is different tonight for Bromden?

Bromden didn't take the red pill, which paralyzes patients in sleep, so he can watch the staff at night. Signup and view all the answers

What does Bromden visualize happening in the hospital at night?

He visualizes the hospital becoming a giant machine, where the floor and walls move to reveal cogs and the floor lowers. Signup and view all the answers

What does Bromden see inside the 'machinery' of the hospital?

He sees workers operating the machine and throwing others into the fire. Signup and view all the answers

Who do the workers take and what happens to him?

They take Blastic, a vegetable, hang him up, and cut him open. Signup and view all the answers

Who does Bromden see in his hallucination and what does he look like?

He sees a Public Relations man, bloated in an undershirt, drinking from a flask with women following him around. Signup and view all the answers

What happens in the morning involving Turkle and Blastic?

Turkle wakes Bromden up and he sees Blastic being taken away. Signup and view all the answers

What surprising thing does McMurphy do in the morning?

He sings. Signup and view all the answers

Why can't the black boys control McMurphy?

He is different, never gave the Combine a chance to hurt him, has no one to care about, and is physically powerful. Signup and view all the answers

What does McMurphy ask the black boy for and how does the black boy respond?

He asks for toothpaste, and the black boy says it is locked up per ward policy. Signup and view all the answers

How does McMurphy confuse the black boy?

He makes conversation and takes his soap powder. Signup and view all the answers

How did Bromden's father preserve their land?

He made fun of government men by talking about geese. Signup and view all the answers

What is McMurphy wearing that makes the Nurse angry and why?

He is wearing only a towel, claiming his clothes were stolen. Signup and view all the answers

Who does the Nurse yell at for not giving McMurphy clothes?

She yells at the black boy (Williams) and Mr. Washington. Signup and view all the answers

What does McMurphy actually have under his towel?

He has shorts with white whales on them. Signup and view all the answers

What new smell does Bromden notice in the hospital?

He notices the 'man' smell: dust, dirt, and sweat from work. Signup and view all the answers

Who does the Big Nurse greet in the hospital?

Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Characters and Actions

A man acting as Santa arrives one Christmas, ultimately kept in the hospital for six years by black boys.
Big Nurse manipulates the hospital's time perception by adjusting the wall clock to run faster, stop, or slow down.

Daily Routine and Interactions

Before leaving at 4:30 PM, Big Nurse removes her hat and bids farewell to everyone.
McMurphy is irritated by a radio noise, which the other patients ignore due to its long exposure.

McMurphy's Strategy and Influence

McMurphy nearly loses a bet when he considers using threats to silence the radio, but Harding intervenes.
McMurphy and the Acutes engage in a game of blackjack during their interactions.

Nighttime Environment

The night staff consists of two black boys and a nurse characterized by her short stature and birthmark.
McMurphy intentionally scares the night nurse while "helping" her distribute pills, showcasing his power dynamics.

Bromden's Perception and Hallucinations

Bromden reveals his hearing when startled by McMurphy's loud outburst about the black boy.
He perceives his surroundings as a giant machine, visualizing the movement of floors and cogs.

Nightmarish Revelations

Inside the hospital's imagined machinery, Bromden sees workers operating the system and throwing others into a fire, symbolizing the dehumanizing nature of the facility.
A character named Blastic, deemed a "vegetable," is seen being hanged and mutilated in his hallucination.

Strange Events and Morning Activities

In the morning, Turkle awakens Bromden, who witnesses Blastic being removed from the premises.
Contrary to expectations, McMurphy starts singing in the morning, showcasing his carefree attitude.

Dynamics with Staff

The black boys are unable to control McMurphy due to his resilience; he doesn’t allow the oppressive system, or "Combine," to break him.
McMurphy requests toothpaste from a black boy, who informs him that it's locked up according to ward policy.

Confusion and Defiance

McMurphy confuses the black boy by engaging him in conversation and cleverly takes his soap powder.
In contrast to his current condition, Bromden recalls how his father preserved their land by ridiculing government officials.

Dress Code and Reactions

McMurphy’s attire of simply a towel infuriates Big Nurse, who is informed that his clothes were supposedly stolen.
The Nurse directs her frustration towards the black boys (Williams and Mr. Washington) for not providing McMurphy with clothing.

Underlying Details and New Observations

Underneath his towel, McMurphy wears shorts adorned with white whales, indicating his playful nature.
Bromden notices a new "man" smell in the hospital, a mix of dust, dirt, and sweat from labor activities.

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Description

Test your knowledge of chapters 6 to 8 of 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' with these flashcards. Each card explores key events and characters, including the control mechanisms within the hospital and notable scenes during Christmas. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of the text.