Cuckoo's Nest: Key Quotes Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Who is the speaker of the quote about being cagey while pretending to be deaf and dumb?

Bromden (correct)

Nurse Ratched

Harding

McMurphy

What does Nurse Ratched carry in her bag according to Bromden?

A thousand parts for her duties including wheels, gears, cogs, tiny pills, needles, and pliers.

How does Bromden describe Nurse Ratched's face?

Smooth, calculated, and like an expensive baby doll.

What does the fog represent in Bromden's experience?

Control Signup and view all the answers

Public Relations man feels genuine excitement about the improvements in mental hospitals.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is noticeable about the new admission that Bromden observes?

He is loud and brassy, expressing confidence instead of fear. Signup and view all the answers

How does McMurphy's laughter affect the other patients?

It makes them feel uneasy, like children afraid of a teacher returning. Signup and view all the answers

What does Bromden think about Harding's hands?

They are pretty and dainty, and Harding feels embarrassed by them. Signup and view all the answers

What does the condition of McMurphy's hand represent?

Strength and power. Signup and view all the answers

What does Nurse Ratched think of manipulators in the ward?

They disrupt the harmony and therapeutic progress. Signup and view all the answers

What is Bromden's view of the ward's purpose?

It functions as a factory for correcting societal failures. Signup and view all the answers

What does McMurphy believe about the laughter in the ward?

He thinks it is essential for maintaining one's footing and sanity. Signup and view all the answers

What do the rabbits and the wolf represent in Harding's metaphor?

The weak accept their role while the strong maintain control. Signup and view all the answers

What does Harding believe about man's weapon against modern matriarchy?

Laughter is not an effective weapon. Signup and view all the answers

What does Bromden think the audience would feel if they saw the ward?

They would think the patients are acting crazy. Signup and view all the answers

What change occurs in the group meetings due to McMurphy's influence?

Patients begin airing their grievances openly. Signup and view all the answers

According to Nurse Ratched, why are many patients in the hospital?

Because they couldn't adjust to society's rules. Signup and view all the answers

What is Sefelt doing with his Dilantin?

He holds it in his mouth and gives it to Fredrickson. Signup and view all the answers

How does Harding describe electroshock therapy?

He questions its effectiveness and the public's reaction to it. Signup and view all the answers

What realization does McMurphy come to about the power structure in the ward?

It's not just Nurse Ratched but the whole Combine that controls everything. Signup and view all the answers

What does McMurphy mean by 'keeping an eye out for old Number One'?

Ensuring his own survival and well-being. Signup and view all the answers

What does McMurphy say about the perception of sanity in the ward?

He questions the sanity of those who are not committed. Signup and view all the answers

What is Nurse Ratched's reasoning for the rules imposed on patients?

They are meant to have therapeutic value. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Quotes from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Bromden pretends to be deaf and dumb, suggesting it helps him navigate a hostile environment filled with hate secrets.
Nurse Ratched carries a toolbox-like bag filled with various medical instruments, emphasizing her meticulous nature and authority in the ward.
Bromden describes Nurse Ratched's appearance as manufactured and flawed, signifying her struggles with femininity and control.
The fog represents the oppressive atmosphere of the ward, obscuring Bromden's vision and autonomy, while Nurse Ratched wields power aggressively.
Public Relation man illustrates the denial of past abuses in mental hospitals, presenting a facade of progress while ignoring underlying issues.
McMurphy stands out by displaying confidence and resistance, indicating a challenge to the status quo of the ward.
The laughter of McMurphy is a pivotal moment, revitalizing the ward and contrasting with the previously stifled environment.
The Acutes engage in manipulation, reflecting their unease and the oppressive surveillance under Nurse Ratched's control.
McMurphy's arrival disrupts the ward's dynamics, prompting the men to voice long-suppressed grievances.
Nurse Ratched's belief in the therapeutic value of group interactions highlights her strict control over the patients' lives.
Bromden details Nurse Ratched's manipulative nature, suggesting her systemic role within the larger "Combine" that enforces social conformity.
The ward is depicted as a "factory" for reprogramming patients, producing compliant individuals for society.
A successful Dismissal of a patient represents institutional success, whereas an Admission poses a threat to the established order.
McMurphy emphasizes the need for laughter in restoring masculinity and spirit among men trapped in the oppressive environment.
Harding challenges traditional roles by introducing the metaphor of the wolf and the rabbit, illustrating power dynamics in the ward.
Discussions around electroshock therapy reveal the harsh realities of mental health treatment and society's quick-fix mentality.
The concept of the Combine emerges, showcasing the extensive control exerted over individual lives, with Nurse Ratched as its enforcer.
McMurphy questions the notion of sanity, highlighting the distinction between the wards' expectations and the reality of its inhabitants.
Bromden reflects on the therapeutic intentions behind imposed rules, signaling the tension between institutional authority and personal freedom.
The complex relationships and emotional struggles of the characters underscore themes of power, resistance, and the quest for identity within the confines of the mental health system.

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Description

Explore significant quotes from 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' featuring insights into the characters and themes. These flashcards will help you understand the deeper meanings and context behind the words, emphasizing the speaker's perspective. Ideal for anyone studying this classic novel.