Notes Day 4

McMurphy probably won't get out of the ward soon, he is digging himself into a bigger hole. The patients aren't in charge of their treatment because they don't have enough sense and most of them are there by choice to let other people deal with their problem and treat it. They are all not in there for voluntary reasons but all of the patients in there cannot handle the Outside which is why they are inside the ward. The ringing is a spur of the moment feeling he gets because he is excited to talk to McMurphy, the first time he has spoken in many, many years. Bromden makes himself easy to be ignored because he wants to be so no one wants to pay attention to him. His memory is of him being ignored so that is how he thinks he should be ignored. Even though Bromden is 6' 7" he feels small because he wants to feel insignificant so people ignore him. Because he does not want to be noticed by other people, especially when he listens in on secrets, he feels small on the inside. The symbolism of Cheif chewing the same piece of gum is how he has the opportunity to start over but he stays where he is. McMurphy is a good influence on the hospital environment because he is helping people stand up for themselves even the doctors. The new confidence he gives people will also help them in the outside world too.

Syllabus Day 4

Pages 169- 191

Syllabus: Sara

Notes: Natalie 

Today's Learning Goal: Understand Bromden and McMurphy's interactions and relationship. 

Warm Up: Revisit the closing activity we did not get to in yesterday's meeting. 

[i.e. Analyze how the change in McMurphy is affecting Nurse Ratched, Chief, and the Acute followers that McMurphy accumulated during his rebellion and how it did affect Cheswick. Predict McMurphy's next action he will take to get out of the ward.] 

Discussion Questions: 
1.) Why aren't the patients in charge of their treatment? 
2.) On page 171, it says, "A good many of you are in here because you could not adjust to the rules of society in the outside world, because you refused to face up to them, because you tried to circumvent them and avoid them.." Do you think this assumption applies to all of the patients? 
3.) What does the ringing in Bromden's head represent? Does it replace the fog? 
4.) Does the fact that Bromden portrays himself as deaf hold him back? For example, does he miss out on opportunities that would have helped his treatment like the fishing? 
5.) Why is it so easy for people to ignore Bromden? Particularly people in power like the nurse or the people trying to buy the land? 
6.) What is the significance of the particular memory from Bromden's childhood? Out of all the memories he is blind to, why is it this one that comes up? 
7.) Why does he feel so small when in reality he is big? What does this contradiction show?
8.) What is the symbolism of Bromden continuing to chew the same piece of gum?
9.) Is McMurphy's late night connection with Bromden genuine? Why or why not? 
10. Has McMurphy been good or bad for the environment of the hospital and treatment with the other patients? 

Closing Activity: Determine whether Bromden and McMurphy are more similar or different.