Questions and Answers
Who is Chief Bromden?
a Columbia Indian who serves as the narrator of the story; has schizophrenia; can tend to fabricate stories.
What is the role of The Orderlies in the story?
the group of three men who always try to find a way to make life more miserable for their patients; they enjoy humiliating and taking advantage of the men.
Who is Big Nurse (Nurse Ratched)?
the antagonist of the story who is the power-hungry head of the ward; she manipulates her patients and staff to fulfill her desires.
What is Max Taber's character in the story?
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What does R.P. McMurphy represent upon his arrival at the ward?
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What is Dale Harding's position in the ward before McMurphy arrives?
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Who are The Chronics?
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What distinguishes The Acutes from The Chronics?
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Why do people refer to Chief Bromden as Chief Broom?
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Why does McMurphy laugh before shaking Chief Bromden's hand?
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Who is the new admission that seems very different from all the normal admissions before him, and why?
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For what reason do The Chronics and Acutes not associate themselves with one another?
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Who said, 'They don't bother not talking out loud about their hate secrets when I'm nearby because they think I'm deaf and dumb.'?
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Who is described with the quote about being smooth, calculated, and precision-made?
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Who said, 'This morning I plain don't remember. They got enough of those things they call pills down me so I don't know a thing till I hear the ward door open.'?
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Who confronts McMurphy about his admission shower?
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Who expressed a concern about McMurphy taking over with the quote about his good looks and friendliness?
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Who said, 'And, like I explain, the Big Nurse gets real put out if anything keeps her outfit from running smooth.'?
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Study Notes
Chief Bromden
- Narrator of the story and a Columbia Indian.
- Suffers from schizophrenia and often fabricates stories.
- Referred to as Chief Broom due to orderlies asking him to mop floors.
The Orderlies
- Comprise a group of three men.
- Intentionally make life miserable for patients, enjoying humiliation and abuse.
Big Nurse (Nurse Ratched)
- Antagonist and head of the ward.
- Known for manipulative and power-hungry behavior.
- Obsesses over control and dislikes disruption of order.
Max Taber
- Rebellious patient seeking to end Big Nurse's regime.
- Represents resistance among patients.
R.P. McMurphy
- Newcomer to the ward, stands out from other patients.
- Establishes relationships with fellow patients, opposes Big Nurse's rules.
- Not easily intimidated; his confidence distinguishes him.
Dale Harding
- Natural leader of the Acutes before McMurphy's arrival.
- Does not feel threatened by McMurphy's leadership potential.
The Cronics
- Patients deemed incurable, expected to remain in the ward indefinitely.
The Acutes
- Patients regarded as "curable" and more likely to recover.
Relationships Between Acutes and Chronics
- Acutes avoid Chronics due to fear of their own potential decline into similar conditions.
- A belief perpetuated by stigma associated with the Chronics' state.
Significant Quotes
- Chief Bromden remarks on patients' belief that he is deaf and dumb, which he uses to his advantage.
- Description of Big Nurse depicts her meticulous, almost robotic nature.
- Chief reveals his confusion due to heavy medication during admission.
- Exchanges between McMurphy and Nurse Ratched highlight his defiance against structured authority.
- Miss Flinn notes McMurphy's charismatic nature and emerging dominance in the ward.
Themes
- Power dynamics between patients and staff in the mental health facility.
- Exploration of identity, control, and resistance through character interactions and experiences.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the characters of 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'. This quiz covers key figures such as Chief Bromden, Nurse Ratched, and McMurphy. Explore their roles, relationships, and struggles within the narrative.
