Lesson Four- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
| Site: | MoodleHUB.ca 🍁 |
| Course: | English Lang Arts 30-2-RVSO |
| Book: | Lesson Four- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Friday, 19 September 2025, 3:33 AM |
1. Lesson
Duration - 10 blocks (10 X 80 min + homework)
When Randle Patrick McMurphy gets transferred for evaluation from a prison farm to a mental institution, he assumes it will be a less restrictive environment. But the intimidating Nurse Ratched runs the psychiatric ward with an iron fist, keeping her patients cowed through abuse, medication and sessions of electroconvulsive therapy. The battle of wills between the rebellious McMurphy and the inflexible Ratched soon affects all the ward's patients.
“Too much sanity may be madness — and maddest of all: to see life as it is, and not as it should be!” - Dale Wasserman
2. Lesson One- Pre-Reading
The setting of this play is a Mental Institution. Popular culture has a large impact on how people view certain ideas and concerns. The historical stigmatization and portrayal of mental health issues in popular culture has impacted how many people in our society view it. Mental health concerns can be a variety of things including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit disorder, and many more. Research shows that 1 in 5 people experience a mental health concern at some point in their life, making mental health a major concern in today's society. People can sometimes have negative views about things they don’t understand, especially things like mental health problems. There are lot of myths around mental illness which often lead to stigma—that is, when others judge you because of a personal quality, trait, or condition. Breaking the stigma of mental health treatment is an important part of understanding this play. Understanding mental health and debunking myths can continue to work towards having positive conversations about mental health, identifying signs or symptoms, and getting help if you need it.
Please go through the the following powerpoint. It will get you thinking about issues raised in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
3. Resources
Video
Here is a link to a production of the play One Flew Over the Cuckoo' Nest
Notes
Please read through the following notes on The Principles of Stating Theme. These notes will help you identify and write theme statements for the different texts you will experience in English 30-2.
Go through the One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Analysis before you begin reading the play.
** Please note that you need to read the play version of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" adapted by Dale Wasserman. There is also a full length novel, written by Ken Kasey and a film adaption. Each version is slightly different so please be sure to READ the play. Also, be careful when using sparks notes as it aligns with the novel. Not the play. Utilize the resources in this unit to help you analyze the play.
Readings
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
excerpt from PRISONER OF TEHRAN (required for literary exploration)
4. Lesson Two- Act I
Please read Act I of the play. In this section pay careful attention to the opposing characters of Randal P. McMurphy and Nurse Ratched.
The following are important vocabulary words for you to know. Define each term and as you read Act I identify which character you feel each term BEST describes.
Lithe | Vapid | Tranquil |
apprehensive | Truculent | Pugnacious |
Hallucinate | Extrovert | Insubordinate |
Lucid | Maniacal | Ardent |
Fixation | benevolent | Exuberance |
Ingenuous | Lucid | intimidate |
Inarticulate | pinochle | Protocol |
5. Assignment 2
As you read Act I please complete the attached comprehension questions. Open up this Word Document Act I Questions and enter your answers directly into the document.
For those of you unable to open Word documents, please open the PDF version of the Act I Questions.
Copy the questions into a blank Word document and label it E302U2L4actI.surname
Submit your completed answer into the dropbox folder marked U2L4 Act I Questions.
You will notice that some of the questions use likert and semantic scales that require you to select an position on a sliding scale. Examine this exemplar to help you answer these types of questions.
Exemplar - It says, I say and so
Your questions will be marked using the following rubric:
|
Excellent |
Proficient |
Satisfactory |
Limited |
Poor |
Insufficient |
|
Your assignment is fully completed and shows exemplary diligence and attention to the task; the ideas incorporated demonstrate an extensive, thoughtful and accurate understanding of the content and context; and pride in presentation is clearly evident. Questions are fully complete. |
Your assignment is completed and shows good diligence and attention to the task; the ideas incorporated are adequately developed and a clear understanding of the content and context is obvious. Presentation is in order and neat. Questions are complete. |
Your assignment is complete and shows acceptable diligence and attention to the task; ideas are developed and a basic understanding of the content and context is evident, overall. However, there may be inconsistencies at times. Presentation is orderly and neat. |
Your assignment is incomplete or shows less than required diligence and attention to the task, thought and detail, and accuracy. Your understanding of the content and context is weak and gaps in learning are apparent. |
Your assignment is largely incomplete and shows meagre or little diligence and attention to the task; responses demonstrate little or faulty understanding of the content and context, and pride in presentation is not present. |
Your assignment was not submitted |
6. Lesson Three- Act II
Read Act II of the play. As you read, consider the following character development.
Character Analysis
Randle P. McMuprhy is a DYNAMIC character who begins the play as selfish and outspoken. By the end of the play there are many instances of his compassion and altruism towards the other individuals in the hospital. This change is so dramatic in fact, that by the final act of the play Randle P. McMuprhy goes down as a MARTYR, someone who dies for their cause, to the patients of Mental Hospital.
As you read Act II, consider the impact that McMurphy's actions have on the other patients.
7. Assignments 3 and 4
Please complete the following questions as you read Act II. Open up the Act II Questions document, title it E302U2L4actII.surname. Enter your answers directly into the Word document.
For those students unable to open Word documents, please open up the PDF version of the Act II questions.
Submit completed assignment in the Dropbox labeled U2L4 Act II Questions.
As in Act I, your questions will be marked using the following rubric:
|
Excellent |
Proficient |
Satisfactory |
Limited |
Poor |
Insufficient |
|
Your assignment is fully completed and shows exemplary diligence and attention to the task; the ideas incorporated demonstrate an extensive, thoughtful and accurate understanding of the content and context; and pride in presentation is clearly evident. Questions are fully complete. |
Your assignment is completed and shows good diligence and attention to the task; the ideas incorporated are adequately developed and a clear understanding of the content and context is obvious. Presentation is in order and neat. Questions are complete. |
Your assignment is complete and shows acceptable diligence and attention to the task; ideas are developed and a basic understanding of the content and context is evident, overall. However, there may be inconsistencies at times. Presentation is orderly and neat. |
Your assignment is incomplete or shows less than required diligence and attention to the task, thought and detail, and accuracy. Your understanding of the content and context is weak and gaps in learning are apparent. |
Your assignment is largely incomplete and shows meagre or little diligence and attention to the task; responses demonstrate little or faulty understanding of the content and context, and pride in presentation is not present. |
Your assignment was not submitted |
In this document, complete ALL THREE components of the assignment outlined below.
Submit this assignment using the Dropbox for U2L4 Literary Exploration.
Much literature suggests that situations and events offer a variety of experiences and outcomes - provided we are willing to embrace them. "What is your opinion of the idea that our identity is shaped by difficult experiences?"
Write an essay, of at least five paragraphs, which answers this question. You must
- Print off and read the excerpt from PRISONER OF TEHRAN; write ONE body paragraph on a character from this excerpt
- discuss one character in the play in ONE body paragraph
- reflect upon your own knowledge and/or experience in ONE body paragraph
- ensure the details you select support your opinion of the idea that our identity is shaped by difficult experiences
- organize your essay so that your ideas are clearly and effectively presented
You will be evaluated using the literary exploration rubric attached here.
8. Conclusion
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a powerful tale of personal growth and the ability of one man to encourage and influence those around him.
During the COVID 19 Pandemic students will not be required to write the Unit 2 Drama Test
Now that you have completed your study of a modern drama, please move on to the U2 Exam: Drama. Remember the importance of stage directions in helping you understand the characters.