Tuesday, July 22, 2008

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Assignment

ASSIGNMENT: While reading the novel or after reading, complete the following 10 questions in short answer form. Each answer may be hand-written or typed, and at least 2-3 sentences each. Of course, you will see that some may require more.

DUE: Friday, September 5th, 2008

1. Chief Bromden is the narrator. How does seeing things through the Chief's eyes change the book?
2. Can you trust the Chief's perceptions? Why or why not?
3. What is the fog?
4. How does MacMurphy fit the American image of masculinity?
5. Notice the imagery surrounding Big Nurse. What is she symbolic of? Thematically, how is she opposed to Mac?
6. There is some bird symbolism throughout the book. Name a few points in the book where you notice this, and what do you think it means?
7. What is the significance/importance of laughter in the novel?
8. What are the attitudes towards women and sex throughout the book? What kinds of images of women do we get? Is this book sexist? How does it reflect contemporary (1964) attitudes towards women?
9. Why is the Chief a Native American? What is the attitude towards Blacks in this book. Is the book racist?
10. Write a final reflection of the novel. Write at least one paragraph.